Environmental issues can arise throughout the life cycle of commercial property ownership. Early legal guidance can help property owners understand regulatory obligations, evaluate environmental risks, coordinate with environmental consultants, and navigate permitting, compliance, and redevelopment matters.

When should environmental counsel be consulted?

Property owners should consider consulting environmental counsel during property acquisitions, environmental due diligence, redevelopment planning, leasing negotiations, permit applications, NJDEP inspections, enforcement actions, contamination investigations, remediation projects, and significant operational changes.

Why is early legal involvement important?

Early legal involvement helps identify environmental obligations before they become larger legal or financial issues. Counsel can coordinate with engineers and environmental professionals to support informed decision-making.

How can environmental counsel assist with transactions?

Environmental attorneys can review due diligence findings, evaluate environmental liability, negotiate contractual provisions, coordinate remediation issues, and advise clients regarding regulatory obligations that may affect commercial property transactions.

What if contamination is discovered?

Discovery of contamination does not necessarily prevent redevelopment or property ownership. Environmental counsel can help evaluate applicable legal requirements, coordinate with consultants, and address regulatory considerations.

What are common misconceptions?

Environmental attorneys are not only involved after enforcement actions occur. Many businesses seek legal guidance proactively during planning, permitting, redevelopment, acquisitions, and compliance efforts.

Key Takeaways

  • Seek legal guidance early in commercial property matters.
  • Coordinate environmental due diligence before transactions.
  • Address regulatory issues proactively.
  • Evaluate environmental liability before redevelopment.
  • Work with experienced environmental professionals throughout the project.

When should you contact an attorney?

Commercial property owners should contact an environmental attorney before purchasing or selling property, planning redevelopment, responding to NJDEP inquiries, negotiating environmental contract provisions, addressing contamination, or resolving environmental compliance concerns.

Contact The Law Office of Alan S. Ashkinaze

The Law Office of Alan S. Ashkinaze advises commercial property owners, developers, investors, landlords, and businesses throughout New Jersey on environmental due diligence, permitting, redevelopment, remediation, regulatory compliance, and environmental litigation.