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Overview

Rick guides clients on compliance issues regarding surface and groundwater or remediation of contaminated properties.

With experience in aligning the clean water laws of Wisconsin with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, Rick understands the subtleties of state regulations covering surface and groundwater. He has the unique ability to handle client matters in the courts, administrative agencies and legislatures. Though Rick generally collaborates with private sector clients, he also successfully defended a rural county in Wisconsin in a Superfund contribution action.

Rick defends businesses in state and federal enforcement actions, including citizens’ suits and federal criminal enforcements. Clients rely on him when faced with issues of:

  • Water permitting
  • Solid and hazardous waste regulation
  • Groundwater protection
  • Site remediation
  • PCB remediation
  • Pesticide regulation
  • Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 30 permits
  • Wetlands law
  • Superfund cost allocation and clean-up disputes

Keenly aware of the fluid nature of regulation, Rick advises clients on the feasibility of their long-term capital expenditures, helping to ensure that solutions don't become obsolete.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Chambers USA, Natural Resources & Environment, 2009-2012
  • Ripon College, 2010 Distinguished Alumni Citation
  • Wisconsin Law Journal, Leader in the Law, 2009
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers, Environmental Litigation, 2009-2012, 2015-2019
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental, 2009-2024; Litigation - Environmental "Lawyer of the Year," 2016; Environmental Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2022, 2024

Education

  • J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
  • B.A., Ripon College
    • cum laude

Admissions

  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association, Sections on Litigation, Environment, Energy & Resources
  • State Bar of Wisconsin, Section on Environmental Law
  • Dane County Bar Association
  • Federation of Environmental Technologists
Experience
  • Defended regulated companies in enforcement cases brought by state and federal environmental authorities.
  • Tried “contested case” (administrative) proceedings before the Wisconsin Division of Hearings and Appeals and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
  • Tried cases (motion practice and bench trials) in federal court and in state circuit courts in a variety of Wisconsin counties.
  • Successfully defended a rural Wisconsin county in a CERCLA (Superfund) contribution action brought by the owner of a former manufactured gas plant operation against the county, city and other defendants. After a nearly two-week bench trial, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin found that the county had done nothing to incur liability under Superfund and completely dismissed the owner’s claims against the county. Total remediation costs for the site are estimated to exceed $150 million.
  • Represented business interests in the development of legislation and administrative rule-making involving the Clean Water Act, solid and hazardous waste disposal, groundwater protection,wetlands use and protection, and response and remediation of hazardous substance spills.
  • Counseled large manufacturers during EPA compliance audits.
  • Handled cost allocation disputes between buyers and sellers of manufacturing property.
  • Negotiated various environmental permits and litigated challenges to unreasonable permit conditions for businesses.
  • Maintained a government relations practice and advises clients on public official ethics, campaign finance and lobby law compliance.
Media Mentions | October 2020
Best Lawyers® 2021: The Midwest Issue
News Releases | November 11, 2019
26 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to 2019 Wisconsin Super Lawyers/Rising Stars

The firm has 16 attorneys named to the Super Lawyers list and 10 attorneys named to the Rising Stars list.

News Releases | August 15, 2019
Husch Blackwell Places 143 Lawyers in 2020 BL Rankings' Best Lawyers in America®

The firm has eight "Lawyers of the Year" and 11 attorneys appearing on the list for the first time.

Outside the Office

Rick enjoys family getaways to his retreat on a small lake in northern Wisconsin. He and his family have been boating, hiking and communing with nature at this spot more than 20 years.

Community Leadership
  • Ripon College Board of Trustees, 2017-2020
  • Ripon College Alumni Association Board of Directors, President, 2013-2015
  • National Immigrant Justice Center, pro bono representation of refugees seeking asylum in the United States based on their political or religious beliefs
  • Market Economy Fundamentals Program, Moscow, Russia, guest lecturer on law and economics
  • EAGLE School Parent Organization, Madison, Wisconsin, past President