Thompson Hine Podcasts

As per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continue to dominate legal and scientific headlines across the country, more attention is focused on the diligence process performed before buying, selling or redeveloping contaminated properties. U.S. EPA recently published some frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the impact of its designation of two PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, as CERCLA hazardous substances on Brownfield grant funding and liability protection. In this episode of Environmental L.A.W.S., Joel Eagle and Heather Richardson speak with Tom Simmons, Dan Titus and Mark Wright of HRP Associates about the EPA Brownfields FAQ and other PFAS issues including: Federal and state PFAS regulatory updates Strategies for addressing PFAS in real estate and corporate transactions Additional PFAS risk mitigation strategies PFAS concerns now affect a wide range of legal, corporate and scientific disciplines and permeate many aspects of daily life, making this episode relevant to all.

In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation groups and co-chair of our Corporate Sustainability practice, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Kristina Beifus, Director of Compliance and Sustainability at American Greetings. She leads the organizations’ compliance strategy and sustainability initiatives, ensuring regulatory consistency, mitigating risk and integrating ESG principles across her company’s business practices. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company’s ESG goals and practices.

In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation groups and co-chair of our Corporate Sustainability practice, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Danielle Doza, Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Services for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group, the first senior-level sustainability role in the NBA. Danielle leads enterprise-wide initiatives spanning sustainable operations, procurement and reporting, while also supporting marketing, communications and partnership development to embed sustainability throughout the organization. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company’s ESG goals and practices.

Conversations With ESG Gurus In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation groups and co-chair of our Corporate Sustainability practice, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Farhana Morales, Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado Denver Business School and Senior Manager of Corporate Responsibility and ESG at the Target Corporation. Farhana brings more than two decades of ESG and sustainability experience, including extensive work in the oil and gas industry. At the University, she teaches an innovative ESG course that guides graduate students through developing comprehensive sustainability strategies. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company’s ESG goals and practices.

Conversations With ESG Gurus In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation groups and co-chair of our Corporate Sustainability practice, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Beth Grove, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Public Affairs at Lubrizol Corporation. Beth also serves as President of the Lubrizol Foundation, where she leads the company’s sustainability strategy across environmental, social and governance initiatives, as well as overseeing government affairs, community engagement and philanthropy. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company’s ESG goals and practices.

In our latest episode, partner Tanya C. Nesbitt interviews Dr. Jen Wollenberg of Integral Consulting, a leading U.S. science, engineering, and environmental consulting firm, about an emergent contaminant: microplastics. From our tap water and food to consumer products and even the air we breathe, tiny plastic particles have made their way into nearly every corner of our world—and our bodies. Tanya and Dr. Wollenberg examine the science, sources, regulatory landscape, and what the growing presence of microplastics might mean for the manufacturing and consumer goods industries. As the science evolves and public awareness grows, microplastics are increasingly becoming a focal point for litigation, product liability, environmental compliance, and sustainability disclosure. The discussion examines what companies should be thinking about now to stay ahead of the curve as regulatory pressures mount.

Preparing for a Second Trump Administration: Reversals, Rescissions and Rollbacks In our latest episode, partner Tanya Nesbitt interviews Nathan Frey, the former Deputy Branch Chief at the White House Office of Management and Budget Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and the founder and current owner of Regulatory Strategies and Solutions Group, about the upcoming presidential transition. They discuss potential rules and policy positions the president-elect may seek to reverse in his second term, such as the SEC Climate Disclosure Rule. The discussion includes analysis of how the Congressional Review Act may play a role in the creation of the president-elect’s environmental agenda. Other topics include the future of the PFAS CERCLA rule and the president-elect’s energy agenda.

Environmental L.A.W.S.In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation practice groups and co-chair of our ESG Collaborative, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Tara Helms, Director of Sustainability North America at Electrolux Group. Tara spearheads the organization’s mission to revolutionize taste, care and well-being experiences, fostering innovative approaches to more enjoyable and sustainable living. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company’s ESG goals and practices.

Supreme Court’s Loper Decision: Immediate and Long-Term Impacts on EPA Regulation In our latest podcast episode, partner Devin Barry and managing associate Aren Olson from Thompson Hine’s Environmental practice group discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo on pending U.S. EPA regulations. They delve into the concept of "Chevron deference," examining how the Loper decision affects this principle and its subsequent impact on some of the U.S. EPA’s most contested rules under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, such as the Greenhouse Gas Rule for utilities, the Good Neighbor Rule and WOTUS.

HFC Phasedown & Regulation: Turning Up the Heat to Turn Down Global Warming Joel Eagle, partner, and Ashley Kirk, associate in Thompson Hine’s Environmental practice group are joined in this episode of Environmental L.A.W.S. by guest Alex Sadvari,an environmental lawyer and partner in the Toronto, Canada office of Gowling WLG. Joel, Ashley, and Alex discuss the international phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are widely used in the refrigerant, propellant, and foam blowing industries, and examine the similarities and differences in the U.S. and Canadian approaches to HFC regulation. They also explore the international agreements governing HFC regulation, discuss why HFC regulation and phasedowns are important tools for combatting climate change, and provide insight into some of the challenges U.S. and Canadian entities face in complying with changing HFC regulations.

In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation practice groups and co-chair of our ESG Collaborative, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Averil Edwards, Managing Counsel of Environmental and Sustainability at United Airlines. She advises and represents the airline on environmental and sustainability matters, including United’s near-term 2050 decarbonization strategies and commitments and sustainable aviation fuel procurement and clean technology investments. She is also a member of the legal department’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee. Averil is very involved in her local community, serving as a governor-appointed board member of the Illinois International Port District, a municipal corporation; secretary of the board of directors of Ladies of Virtue, a nonprofit organization focused on improving the lives of girls in Chicago’s underserved communities; and an associate board member of Cabrini Green Legal Aid. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company’s ESG goals and practices.

What’s New in Air? A discussion of developments in Environmental Justice and U.S. EPA’s PM 2.5 standard. Devin Barry, partner, and Audrey Avila, counsel in Thompson Hine’s Environmental practice group, bring their air expertise to the forefront in this episode. Devin specializes in advising large manufacturing clients on air permitting requirements for the construction of new and existing emission sources, proactive compliance counseling, and defending clients in enforcement actions by state agencies, U.S. EPA, and U.S. DOJ. Audrey, who recently joined Thompson Hine’s Chicago office, brings valuable experience from her time as an Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General’s office. In this episode, Devin and Audrey discuss the latest environmental justice developments in Illinois, involving disputes over the relocation of a scrap metal recycling facility and an important settlement impacting environmental justice nationwide, and the U.S. EPA’s recent rulemaking to reduce the PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Their discussion includes key takeaways for companies navigating these dynamic issues under the Clean Air Act.