Overview
Brian Renaud has been practicing environmental law as a specialty since 1989.
His environmental engagements have included:
● Representation of consortium of utility, paper products, and cement industry clients and related trade associations in United States District Court and United States Circuit Court of Appeals challenges to proposed state and federal regulations, including the federal NOx/SIP Call and Michigan's "Rule 801" Implementation of the NOx/SIP Call, the EPA's Regional Haze Regulations, its Tribal Air Rule, and other proposed air regulatory initiatives
● Negotiated air emission (Michigan Rule 801 – NOx/SIP Call) regulation package that eliminated in excess of $100 million in client add-on control requirements for industry client group
● Successfully litigated "air pollution control device" exemption of a $45 million waste to energy facility from Michigan personal property taxes, reducing the client’s annual tax liability by $2.5 million
● Supervised environmental closure activities associated with former Michigan paper mill property. Oversight activities included demolition of former manufacturing facilities; closure of landfill, paper sludge impoundment, process water overflow, and spray irrigation areas; and the investigation of nearby soil and creek sediments potentially containing VOCs, PNAs, dioxin, furans and metals.
● Managed regulatory and media response of a Tier 1 automotive parts manufacturer to a significant in-plant toxic chemical release, avoiding adverse publicity and significantly reducing remediation costs
● Obtained summary judgment in favor of national forest and paper products client in a high-profile federal environmental whistleblower case of first impression
● Obtained $1.8 million dollar summary disposition in favor of interstate transportation company client in an environmental fraud and cost recovery case of first impression in Michigan
● Conducted hundreds of environmental due diligence reviews (i.e., Phase I, Phase II, Baseline Environmental Assessments, environmental insurance coverage analyses, indemnifications, etc.) for lenders, developers, purchasers and sellers of industrial and commercial properties located in Michigan and other states
● Developed environmental policy and procedure manuals for a major Midwest financial institution, and conducted policy implementation training sessions in several states
● Obtained operating permits for highly contested Great Lakes marina development. Managed media coverage issues and negotiated conservation easement with state regulatory authorities.
In addition to his legal practice, Brian has served as Chairman and is currently on the Governing Board of Lexwork International, a network of independent law firms in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, offering business law services to companies worldwide.
Honors & Recognitions
AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers in America® 2013-2016 (Administrative / Regulatory Law)
Affiliations
Memberships & Affiliations
Legal Affiliations:
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
Industry & Professional Associations:
- Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys
- International Right of Way Association
- Community Leadership Development Academy, Graduate
- Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, PAC Board Member
- Licensed Michigan Real Estate Broker
- Detroit Athletic Club, Resident Member
News & Events
Speaking Engagements
- Recent Developments in Michigan Environmental Law, Lorman Education Services, March 2005
Education
University of Detroit School of Law, J.D., 1982
Western Michigan University, B.S.
Bar and Court Admissions
Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit