Elliott P. Laws
Overview
Elliott Laws is a retired partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring, where he co-chaired the firm's Environment and Natural Resources Group and was a member of the Government Affairs Group. He provided strategic counseling and legal, policy, and crisis management advice on environmental and energy policy issues, regulation, and litigation, addressing Superfund and Hazardous Wastes; Brownfields Redevelopment; Environmental Remediation; Chemical Regulation; Clean Air; and Clean Water. Elliott was frequently sought for advice regarding site-specific, as well as general issues faced by major corporations in the environmental regulatory and policy areas, as well as internal corporate and operational environmental management matters. With his deep environmental experience, he helped guide these clients through complex negotiations and development of innovative resolutions at the highest levels of the federal government.
Career & Education
- Department of Justice: Environment and Natural Resources Division
Trial Attorney, Environmental Defense Section, 1985–1987 - Environmental Protection Agency
Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1993–1997
Enforcement Attorney, Water Enforcement Division, 1984–1985 - New York
Assistant District Attorney, County of New York, 1980–1984
- Department of Justice: Environment and Natural Resources Division
- St. John's University, B.A., 1977
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1980
- District of Columbia
- New York
Professional Activities and Memberships
- Regent, 2016: American College of Environmental Lawyers
- Fellow, 2008: American College of Environmental Lawyers
- Council Member: American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy and Resources
- National Board Member: Trust for Public Land
- Board Member: Environment and Energy Study Institute
- Public Member: Administrative Council of the United States
- Former Secretary/Treasurer and Board member: Environmental Law Institute. Elliott authors the "The Business of Environment," published in the Environmental Forum
Elliott's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 01.31.24
EPA Updates Its CERCLA and RCRA Soil-Lead Screening Levels With Stricter Standards In New Guidance
For the RSL, EPA regions should now use an RSL of 200 parts per million (ppm). (Before this new guidance, the RSL was 400 ppm.) However, EPA regions should use an RSL of 100 ppm if an additional source of lead is identified (e.g., lead water service lines, lead-based paint, or non-attainment areas where the air lead concentrations exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards [NAAQS]). The recommended RSL of 100 ppm considers aggregate lead exposure and increased risk to children living in communities with multiple sources of lead contamination.
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.17.23
Firm News | 7 min read | 08.18.22
Client Alert | 3 min read | 12.06.21
EPA’s Anticipated Cumulative Risk Assessment Guidelines Will Guide EJ Enforcement