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For decades, BakerHostetler has been a proven resource for work under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Our team of experienced professionals has worked on many high-profile Superfund sites throughout the U.S.

Not only has BakerHostetler helped guide potentially responsible parties (PRPs) through complex cleanups and cost allocations at Superfund sites, but we also have extensive experience litigating cost recovery, contribution, and natural resource damages claims in federal courts. Our litigation work has resulted in notable successes for clients, obtaining summary judgment dismissals, and even rare trial victories, for clients with hundreds of millions of dollars in potential liabilities at complex environmental sites. Our CERCLA and contaminated properties experience ranges across industry sectors, including paper, aluminum, oil and gas, chemicals, automotive and manufacturing. We also have extensive experience with a variety of contaminants, including PCBs, MTBE, PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, asbestos and lead.

  • Successfully represented a major paper manufacturer at trial and later obtained a Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judgment, avoiding hundreds of millions of dollars of liabilities in PCB contamination. Successfully opposed a petition for certiorari at the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • Represent a major oil company in litigation of war claims seeking recovery from the U.S. of cleanup costs associated with contamination from World War II.
  • Represent PRPs at major groundwater and sediment Superfund sites, including the San Fernando Valley, Portland Harbor and Star Lake Canal.
  • Successfully represented a major steel manufacturer and obtained summary judgment under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, CERCLA and state law claims involving allegedly contaminated groundwater in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Obtained a judgment for costs against the plaintiff.
  • Served as lead counsel for groups of PRPs at multiple federal Superfund sites where lead is the primary contaminant.
  • Litigated a PCB and chlorinated solvent contamination case involving a former aluminum manufacturing facility on behalf of a major mining company. Defeated summary judgment motions on contract and CERCLA claims.
  • Obtained partial summary judgment for a major oil company at a former fuel terminal site in Washington, D.C., on statute of limitations grounds.
  • Advised dozens of clients on cost allocation issues under CERCLA at numerous Superfund sites.
  • Conduct due diligence on contaminated properties on behalf of investment and capital funds, banks and other clients.

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