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Firm News 1 result

Firm News | 3 min read | 04.12.23

Former DOJ Enforcement and Investigations Attorney Shennie Patel Joins Crowell & Moring

Washington – April 12, 2023: Shennie Patel, a former U.S. Department of Justice enforcement and investigations attorney, has joined Crowell & Moring as senior counsel in the Environment & Natural Resources Group, where she will lead large-scale, complex environmental enforcement defense matters.
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Client Alerts 8 results

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.08.24

EPA’s Busy April for CERCLA and PFAS:
New CERCLA Authority, an Enforcement Escape Hatch, and the Continued Search for Viable Cleanup Technologies

On April 19, 2024, EPA signed the highly anticipated final rule designating two types of PFAS as hazardous substances under section 102(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”).  At the same time, David M. Uhlmann, Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance of the EPA, released an enforcement policy memorandum that provides “direction to all EPA enforcement and compliance staff about how EPA will exercise its enforcement discretion under CERCLA in matters involving PFAS, just as EPA exercises enforcement discretion regarding other hazardous substances.”  This alert summarizes key points from the enforcement policy and flags various uncertainties that lie ahead. 
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Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24

JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.” 
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Client Alert | 3 min read | 02.14.24

New Jersey Sets the Stage as the First State to Mandate Recycling of EV Batteries

On January 8, 2024, New Jersey passed the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Management Act making it illegal to dispose of electric vehicle (EV) batteries in landfills and instead mandating the reuse and recycling of EV batteries. Beginning in January 2027, the Act will explicitly prohibit unauthorized persons from disposing of EV batteries and their subcomponents as solid waste. On that same date, “no solid waste facility” in New Jersey “shall knowingly accept for disposal” an EV battery unless authorized by the state.
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Press Coverage 7 results

Press Coverage | 05.09.24

Despite ‘Gaps,’ Lawyers Say OECA Policy Could Boost Criminal Cases

InsideEPA (subscription required)

Publications 2 results

Publication | November 2023

International Legal Best Practices for the Custodial Management of Trafficked Live Wild Animals

This publication is the first of its kind and serves as a guide for wildlife crimes law enforcement around the world who handle the confiscation and care of live wildlife seized from trafficking/smuggling operations. Shennie Patel provided her expertise in trafficking law enforcement and provided valuable feedback on the draft version in identifying gaps and providing useful guidance to refine this publication in the areas covering the law enforcement and criminal and civil seizure.
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Events 2 results

Event | 11.16.23

EU Action Plan Against Wildlife Trafficking Conference

This conference marks the first anniversary of the revised EU Action Plan Against Wildlife Trafficking, created in 2016, which provided for a framework for European countries to implement regulations regarding legal trade in wildlife within the EU. Discussion panels at this event include topics regarding enforcement challenges in source and consumer countries, and EU legislation and illegally sourced wildlife. Speakers in this event include EUROPOL, EcoJust, a former member of the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species Act (CITES) Secretariat, and former enforcement personnel.

Event | 10.12.23, 4:15 PM EDT - 5:30 PM EDT

Owls and Eagles and Wolves, Oh My! The Endangered Species Act 50 Years Later

“Owls and Eagles and Wolves, Oh My! The Endangered Species Act 50 Years Later,” 31st Fall Conference on Environmental, Energy, and Resources Law, October 11-13, 2023, Washington, D.C.

Speaking Engagements 4 results