Hunton Andrews Kurth Launches Environmental Justice Practice Group With Webinar Series

A central focus of the Biden Administration’s environmental agenda, the goals of environmental justice require that agencies and businesses take into consideration the impact industrial developments have on disproportionately affected communities and ensure that the voices of marginalized communities are heard. In practice, it can be challenging to accomplish these EJ goals while achieving business objectives and avoiding interference with company operations or critical growth projects. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has formed a multi-disciplinary Environmental Justice Practice Group to help clients address these important cross-cutting issues. The group was formed to leverage the firm’s wide-ranging experience in environmental justice matters for the benefit of our clients.

For nearly three decades, Hunton Andrews Kurth has helped clients navigate the dynamics of environmental justice across a range of industry, including the energy, oil and gas, distribution and shipping, manufacturing, mining and natural resources, petrochemicals and specialty chemicals sectors.  

Core competencies of Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Environmental Justice Practice Group include conducting environmental-justice risk management audits; developing environmental justice strategies for specific facilities or projects; identifying and reaching out to disproportionately affected communities; communicating with federal, state and local agencies to identify specific policies and standards; working with clients to organize and schedule meetings with community leaders, local residents and agency officials; assisting with public relations and community engagement initiatives; and interfacing with lawmakers and agency officials to develop effective public policy and regulations.

In conjunction with the launch of the Environmental Justice Practice Group, on May 4, 2022, Hunton Andrews Kurth will present the first installment of “Environmental Justice: Advanced Practical Considerations for Business Operations,” a six-part series aimed at illuminating the evolving principles of the environmental justice movement for those who are operating facilities and developing projects. The webinar series will feature conversations with members of the firm’s Environmental Justice Practice Group and will address EJ in a variety of contexts, such as transactions, federal and state permitting and enforcement.

“Furthering the goals of environmental justice while moving forward with essential infrastructure and facility operations is attainable through thoughtful planning, proactive engagement and a careful understanding of the emerging legal and regulatory landscape,” said Kerry McGrath, co-chair of the firm’s Environmental Justice Practice Group. “Our environmental justice team is positioned to provide creative, insightful solutions to help our clients develop a roadmap to success.”

To learn more about Hunton Andrews Kurth’s environmental justice team, click here.