MATTHEW BREWER is counsel in the Washington, D.C. office and is a member of the Environmental practice group. Dr. Brewer counsels clients on a variety of environmental regulatory, litigation and transactional issues, and has broad experience with matters involving the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund), Toxic Substances Control Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and related environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act.
Dr. Brewer received his B.A. in biology (marine biology) and his Ph.D. in biology (freshwater ecology) and, with this strong science background, has a deep understanding of technical aspects of environmental issues and often works with experts to effectively present complex technical arguments in both regulatory and litigation settings.
Prior to joining the firm, Dr. Brewer worked as a senior attorney in the energy and environmental practice of an international law firm. Some of Matthew’s representative matters prior to joining Sidley include:
- Representing an international chemical company in remediation cost allocation proceedings related to a large, complex, multi-party Superfund site.
- Representing a major power generating company in administrative proceedings to address licensing-related environmental issues under the Clean Water Act and applicable state environmental laws.
- Overseeing remediation of contaminated CERCLA and RCRA corrective action sites purchased by clients, including working with local counsel to secure redevelopment approval and funding for a contaminated site under Florida’s Brownfield Redevelopment Act.
- Representing a U.S.-based multinational mining company to evaluate and comply with federal regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act
- Representing a manufacturing trade association in negotiations with USEPA regarding compliance with industry-wide federal greenhouse gas reporting and emission regulations.
- Representing clients on TSCA matters, including advising on Premanufacture Notice and import and export notification requirements and negotiating a settlement with EPA for alleged violations of TSCA 8(e) “substantial risk” reporting requirements.
- Representing clients on FIFRA matters, including pesticide registration and labeling requirements and securing tolerances and tolerance exemptions for pesticide residues.
- Representing foreign and multinational chemical manufacturing and processing companies to evaluate and comply with European chemical regulations (REACH).
- Performing environmental due diligence for M&A and financing transactions in a variety of industries.