Partner, Washington DC, Brussels
1900 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006-1108

TEL: 202.496.7737
FAX: 202.496.7756
EMAIL: rmatthews@mckennalong.com

PROFILE

Bob Matthews is an environmental attorney with three decades of experience representing clients in counseling and litigation matters across a broad spectrum of environmental laws and regulations.

Bob has extensive experience in CERCLA claims and litigation proceedings, including in unilateral administrative orders and cost recovery litigation brought by the U.S. and in private party contribution litigation. Bob has been selected to lead numerous Superfund site joint defense groups, including as joint defense counsel, common counsel and steering committee chairman. He also represents clients in environmental tort cases, involving both personal injury and property damage claims. Bob has provided counsel on Superfund's reauthorizations and is the co-editor and author of McKenna Long & Aldridge's Superfund Claims and Litigation Manual.

Bob also advises clients regarding European Union environmental issues. Working with the firm's Brussels office, he is involved in EU environmental registration and litigation matters, and provides analysis and insights to the firm's clients regarding related, emerging EU initiatives including, in particular, the new "REACH" chemicals legislation.

Bob advises clients on environmental and related issues that arise in major corporate and financial transaction matters. In the course of corporate acquisitions and divestitures, he drafts and negotiates contract terms, and conducts and/or oversees environmental and related due diligence.

Bob also has a diverse regulatory counseling practice, working closely with clients to resolve regulatory interpretation issues, obtain permits and permit modifications, and defend client interests in administrative and judicial enforcement proceedings. He is particularly knowledgeable in regard to the Clean Water Act, including NPDES permitting and enforcement, and release reporting issues arising under CERCLA and EPCRA. He has testified before Congress during the reauthorization of the Clean Water Act. Bob lectures frequently and has written extensively on environmental issues.

Prior to joining the firm, Bob was environmental counsel to Union Carbide Corporation's Chemicals & Plastics Group. He also was a staff attorney in the Enforcement Division of the Region II Office of the Environmental Protection Agency.