Laura Kerr is a partner in Stoel Rives’ Environment, Land Use and Natural Resources practice group, where she counsels clients on complex challenges arising under federal and state environmental laws. She advises on environmental compliance, cleanup of contaminated properties and managing environmental risks in transactions. She also regularly defends clients in federal and state environmental enforcement actions.
Clients seek Laura’s guidance on the multitude of federal, state, and local regulations governing air and water quality, waste management, chemical spills, land contamination and other environmental liabilities. She has extensive experience working with clients on issues related to federal statutes including the Clean Water Act (CWA); Clean Air Act (CAA); Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA); and analogous state laws.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Laura was an environmental researcher and educator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and for a natural resources nonprofit organization that partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey at Mount St. Helens. Her deep understanding of environmental science and hands-on experience with government environmental agencies enhance her ability to communicate complicated scientific ideas and find pragmatic solutions to the environmental problems clients face.