He focuses his practice in the areas of environmental litigation, environmental compliance and enforcement defense, transactional review and policy issues, white collar criminal defense, and internal investigations and audits.
Environmental
Previously a senior enforcement counsel with EPA Region 4 in Atlanta, Rich has practiced environmental law for more than 30 years, with substantial experience across virtually all environmental media, including the defense of litigated matters such as citizen suits, nuisance, trespass, toxic tort, and Superfund liability and apportionment. He also advises clients in matters involving corrective action and spill remediation; hazardous waste disposal, storage and transportation; chemical release and inventory reporting; manufacturer and registration issues; and brownfields development. Rich has handled numerous serious civil and criminal environmental enforcement actions under major environmental statutes as enforced by federal and state agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Rich’s extensive experience with environmental issues gives him the knowledge and perspective to effectively counsel buyers, sellers and lenders in transactions with potential environmental issues involving real estate, manufacturing concerns and legacy properties.
White Collar Defense and Investigations
As an experienced criminal defense attorney and former federal prosecutor, Rich successfully defends those accused of environmental crimes, fraud, white collar healthcare and other criminal offenses.
Rich also defends clients in claims arising out of False Claims Act and other civil enforcement investigations by state and federal agencies and has reached many favorable resolutions for medical practices, pharmacies and testing laboratories in civil, criminal and False Claims Act investigations and prosecutions by the Department of Justice, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
ESG
Alongside his colleagues, Rich counsels businesses about the legal aspects of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) issues, with a focus on climate change, sustainability and environmental justice, informed by his experience and training in environmental, business and corporate law.
Investigations, Compliance and Monitoring
Using a team approach involving experienced investigators, forensic accountants and other professionals, as needed, Rich routinely conducts comprehensive internal investigations in defense of clients and to assess compliance.
Rich serves on the compliance team assisting the Special Compliance Coordinator appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to monitor, assess and report on the U.S. export control compliance of Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation, of Shenzhen, China, and ZTE Kangxun Telecommunications Ltd. of Hi-New Shenzhen, China (collectively, ZTE).
Professional and Community Involvement
Member, Georgia Association of Water Professionals Industrial Committee
Member, American Bar Association Section on Natural Resources and the Environment
Member, Atlanta Bar Association Litigation Section
Member, Atlanta Bar Association CLE Board
Member, State Bar of Georgia Environmental Law, Litigation, Health Law and Criminal Law sections
Member, North Carolina Bar Association Environment, Energy and Natural Resources sections
Member, Defense Research Institute
Past board chair, Atlanta Bar Association Environmental and Toxic Tort Section
Former judge, Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition
Former chair and board of directors, Atlanta Bar Association Environmental and Toxic Tort Section
Honors
Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating
The Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2024
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