John R. Bobka

John counsels clients on a wide range of environmental and administrative law issues arising under federal and state laws. As a former US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) attorney, John uses his agency experience to assist clients with complying with environmental laws, navigating the regulatory process, administrative and civil enforcement defense, litigation, transactional due diligence, and site cleanup matters.

At EPA, John focused on federal facilities enforcement and compliance assurance matters arising under major statutes including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). John was also involved in emerging issues, including addressing PFAS contamination at or near military installations and mixed-ownership sites.

Select government experience prior to joining Hunton:

• Served as co-lead and subject matter expert in EPA’s Federal Facilities Enforcement Office (FFEO) for federal facility cleanup enforcement matters arising under CERCLA.
• Issued requests for information and subpoenas in multiple enforcement matters arising under TSCA’s lead-based paint regulations concerning contamination in privatized military housing, and served as lead attorney on two such matters.
• Served as liaison to EPA Regions 1 and 10 on federal facility regulatory and cleanup enforcement matters, compliance assurance programming, compliance monitoring activities, strategic planning, and national enforcement policy.
• Advised on legal and policy matters related to mining law, including statutory and regulatory requirements, executive orders, guidance, and policies impacting cleanups at federal mining sites.

Select private practice experience prior to joining Hunton:

• Collaborated with clients’ environmental, health, and safety divisions to develop compliance strategies under TSCA, RCRA, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
• Advised clients on pesticide regulatory issues under FIFRA, including product registration, labeling, and the treated-article exemption.
• Advised clients on compliance with RCRA regulatory requirements for the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of various waste streams.
• Prepared comments for agricultural group on federal rule revoking pesticide tolerances.
• Represented clients in the development and financing of renewable energy projects and conducted environmental due diligence review of transactional documents.
• Represented veterans in litigation and administrative proceedings through pro bono work.

• Received EPA Bronze Medal for Commendable Service – Superfund Tax Receipts Funding Allocation (2023)
• Received William & Mary Law Review Best Student Note Award (2019)
• Recognized as a William & Mary Law School Legal Practice Program Fellow (2018-2019)

• Membership Vice Chair, American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, Public Lands and Resources Committee (2021-2022)