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Cynthia M. Teel

Cynthia Teel advises clients on environmental issues that arise in the litigation, transactional, and regulatory contexts. She has extensive knowledge of state and federal requirements, particularly as they relate to landfills/solid waste, hazardous substances, agriculture, and oil & gas.

Cynthia has represented clients in environmental negotiations/enforcement actions with federal and state agencies and assisted with litigation of environmental claims in administrative, state, and federal courts, including Superfund and odor nuisance class actions. She regularly analyzes real estate deals and tax credit projects for environmental risks and provides strategies for minimizing those risks. Recent regulatory experience includes a focus on emerging contaminants such as PFAS, and dealing with technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM).

Her professional experience prior to law school includes conducting public affairs and media relations for the Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter of the Building Industry Association, and providing public relations services to a variety of organizations ranging from public companies to government entities to not-for-profits.

Cynthia received her J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, cum laude, and her undergraduate degree in public relations and honors political science from the University of Southern California, magna cum laude. While at Northwestern, she served as associate editor of the Northwestern University Law Review where she published her student note. She spends her free time skiing, hiking, and otherwise exploring the mountains with her family.

Events

Presentations

  • Presenter, "Widely Used, Widely Discussed: The Less Obvious Implications of PFAS," American Bar Association Environment, Energy & Resources Section (SEER) Spring Conference, April 26, 2023
  • Speaker, "New EPA Guidance on PFAS and Safe Drinking Water: Health Advisories, Regional Screening Levels, Remediation Levels," Strafford Webinar, September 20, 2022
  • Co-presenter, "The PFAS Roadmap and Beyond: PFAS Regulatory Update," Colorado Environmental Management Society Luncheon, April 12, 2022
  • Panelist, What Happens When Recyclables Become Trash, Wastes Go Astray, or the Status of Naturally-Occurring Materials is Changed?, American Bar Association Environment, Energy & Resources Section SEER Spring Conference, March 2019

Publications

Professional Affiliations

  • Colorado Bar Association, Natural Resources & Energy Law Section; Young Lawyers Division
  • Denver Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Institute for Energy Law, 4th Rockies Young Energy Professionals General Counsel Forum, Co-Chair, 2018
  • Rocky Mountain Environmental Health & Safety Peer Group
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellows Program, 2022

Community Involvement

  • Colorado Environmental Management Society
  • Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Foundation, Impact Denver, Fall 2018 Class

Honors

  • Missouri Lawyers Media, Top Legal Innovations Award, Emerging Practice Areas, PFAS
  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, "Ones to Watch," 2021-2024
Photo of Cynthia M. Teel
  • Denver

    675 15th Street
    Suite 2650
    Denver, CO 80202
F: 720.931.3201

Assistant

Charlene Huffman
720.931.3223

Court Memberships

  • Colorado
  • California
  • Missouri

Education

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2010

University of Southern California, B.A., magna cum laude, 2004 

Languages

Spanish