Pipeline
Lathrop & Gage handles the broad spectrum of complex legal issues for the energy and pipeline industry, including:
- Acquisitions and property disputes
- Federal and state energy regulation
- Environmental compliance
- Contract disputes
- Pipeline safety compliance
- Training and emergency response
- Management of origin and cause investigations
- Rupture, leak, fire, and explosion litigation
- Insurance coverage and recovery
- Governmental affairs and community advocacy
Our team includes former counsel to state utility commissions, former counsel to state natural resource departments and numerous professional engineers. We combine comprehensive legal knowledge with practical business experience to help our clients solve problems and achieve goals. We routinely assist clients from the initial planning stages through completion of pipeline projects and operations.
Acquisitions and Litigation
We represent interstate pipeline clients on corridor acquisitions, easements, construction contracts and all aspects of property disputes. Our attorneys help clients achieve the best results possible, from negotiation through purchasing and contract disputes.
Regulatory and Administrative Matters
We represent clients before state utility commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Our attorneys have remarkable acumen in agency permitting and investigations.
Our attorneys have extensive experience analyzing the complex federal pipeline regulations and state statutes and codes regulating the transportation of natural and other gas, and advising clients regarding statutory obligations, litigation prevention, and administrative hearings related to operations, maintenance and safety citations.
Our environmental attorneys have handled regulatory challenges and compliance matters in more than 30 states. Our attorneys advise clients on pipeline replacement obligations as well as standards applicable to handling and disposal of old gas piping contaminated by asbestos lining and PCB adhesive. Our environmental team has advised clients at more than 100 federal and state Superfund sites and active and closed landfills across the country.
Emergency Response
We understand that incident response requires fast action and a coordinated approach. Our attorneys handle these often emotionally charged incidents from the ground level with unparalleled responsiveness to our clients’ needs. Our attorneys have specialized experience managing origin and cause investigations, post-incident response, notifications and reporting. We understand that protecting our clients’ companies requires the ability to respond wherever and whenever an incident occurs.
Rupture, Leak and Spill Litigation
Lathrop & Gage attorneys have handled all phases of high-stakes litigation related to personal injury, wrongful death, toxic tort and property damage claims arising from ruptures, leaks, fires, explosions and spills in federal and state courts. We have the experience to evaluate cases from the outset, coordinate strategies with management and provide excellent representation at a reasonable cost.
We make sure we understand our clients’ business operations and goals so that we can present a thorough defense and direct the litigation’s outcome to coincide with your financial and business goals. Our attorneys are skilled trial lawyers with the ability to strategize, litigate and win.
