|
Chris provides firm clients with a seasoned perspective on government relations, environmental and regulatory issues, as well as a unique understanding of both state and federal environmental law enforcement agencies. Chris has nearly 20 years of environmental experience -- six years as director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, four years as chief of the Ohio Attorney General’s Environmental Enforcement Section and five years as an environmental attorney in the private sector prior to joining Calfee in 2005. A problem-solver by nature, Chris uses his high-powered strategic skills to provide guidance and design solutions for businesses trying to comply with environmental regulations or other legislative challenges. He also has represented clients in fraud litigation and in prosecutions under the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws. Chris’ accomplishments include being the only two-term elected president of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), a national organization of all of the directors of state environmental agencies. In this role, he served as the primary liaison between the U.S. EPA and the states. He also has been a member of the board of directors for the Environmental Research Institute of the States (ERIS), chairman of the Lake Erie Commission, governor-appointed member of the Great Lakes Commission, member of Ohio’s Security Task Force, and is currently a member of the board of trustees of the Nature Conservancy, Ohio Chapter. Chris is also a member of the Ohio and Columbus Bar Associations and has been recognized as one of America's Leading Lawyers in Chambers USA. Chris began his career as an aide to Senator Mike DeWine in the Ohio Senate and then went on to Washington, D.C. to serve as Congressman DeWine’s legislative director. Chris went into private practice with Thompson, Hine and Flory before becoming chief of the Ohio Attorney General’s Environmental Enforcement Section and director of the Ohio EPA. He joined Calfee in 2005. | 