Hunton & Williams LLP Named a 'Top Environmental Firm' by Law360

NEW YORK — January 28, 2011 — Hunton & Williams LLP has been named among Law360's Environmental Groups of The Year, for "playing a role in the matters that made headlines and changed the legal landscape in the past year." According to Law360, Hunton & Williams’ environmental practice, with nearly 80 lawyers, achieved major successes in greenhouse gas public nuisance and clean water act litigation as well as obtaining and defending significant coal generation permits.

Law360's Environmental Groups of 2010 are Hunton & Williams LLP, Jones Day, King & Spalding LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Sidley Austin LLP.

"We're deeply familiar with state and local programs, courts and regulatory agencies around the country," said F. William Brownell, head of Hunton & Williams' environmental group. "That distinguishes us and also translates to outstanding client service. I am very proud of our team and the results we have achieved for our clients."

Among the successes cited by Law360 was Hunton & Williams' major triumph in late July, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit overturned a ruling that would have required the Tennessee Valley Authority to spend more than $1 billion to install emissions controls at four coal-fired power plants in Alabama and Tennessee. In that widely watched case, the appellate court rejected North Carolina's public nuisance claims against the utility, pointing out that the plants had the necessary state permits and abided by the Clean Air Act.

Formed in 1970, soon after passage of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Air Act, the Hunton & Williams environmental team has helped clients navigate every major federal environmental statute, and those of most states and many international jurisdictions. The team advises a range of industries on innovative responses to environmental compliance, represents companies in litigation and administrative permitting and regulatory proceedings, and ensures that clients have a voice in shaping policy.

About Hunton & Williams LLP

Hunton & Williams LLP provides legal services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals, among an array of other entities. Since 1901, Hunton & Williams has grown to more than 900 lawyers serving clients in 100 countries from 18 offices around the world. While our practice has a strong industry focus on energy, financial services and life sciences, the range of our experience extends to more than 100 practice areas, including bankruptcy and creditors rights, commercial litigation, corporate transactions and securities law, intellectual property, international and government relations, regulatory law, products liability, and privacy and information management.