Expertise

Many environmental laws are considered part of the administrative law system because they regulate the actions of government agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies. Agency actions can include rulemaking, adjudication, or enforcing specific regulations. Citizens have the right to participate in agency rulemaking and, in some cases, challenge agency decisions. Typically, these challenges require first engaging in the public participation process and then filing a challenge with the appropriate administrative law judge or hearing officer. Although similar to court proceedings, administrative hearings are distinct, and parties have the right to legal representation throughout. CLA can provide guidance and support to help you navigate these processes effectively.

CLA enhances the capacity of citizens, community groups, and environmental advocates to raise awareness and take action on clean water, public health, and habitat conservation across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We support organizations and individuals in influencing decision-makers and promoting meaningful changes to laws and government policies. Through legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, or legal action, CLA empowers communities to achieve tangible improvements in local waterways and the overall health of the Bay.

CLA provides support in analyzing potential legal issues, conducting factual investigations, and offering guidance on legal strategy. We help identify the most effective steps to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay—whether through litigation, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, organizational support, or other innovative approaches. Our goal is to empower you with an understanding of your legal rights when addressing sources of water pollution that impact your life or community.

CLA provides corporate law assistance to organizations working to protect and restore the Bay watershed. Our attorneys help clients address a variety of corporate legal matters, including contract review, labor law guidance, establishing incorporation documents, and navigating copyright and trademark issues. CLA can also assist with organizational structuring, mergers, strategic planning, and other legal needs that arise during the day-to-day operations of your organization.

CLA is pleased to partner with organizations to develop legal guides and educational trainings focused on protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We assist in creating workshops, seminars, and toolkits that empower communities to understand and address legal and environmental issues affecting local waterways. Through these resources, CLA educates the public about the legal tools available to safeguard water quality, restore habitats, and ensure communities have access to clean, healthy water. Our goal is to equip organizations and citizens with the knowledge to take meaningful action for the Bay and its watershed.

CLA provides guidance and support to citizens, community groups, and environmental advocates working to implement local, state, and federal laws that protect our waterways. We also help prevent policies and actions that could undermine environmental progress. CLA assists Bay watershed advocates in enforcing environmental laws and fighting for a healthier future for the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the communities that rely on it.

Litigation is a powerful tool to hold polluters accountable and ensure compliance with existing environmental laws. Litigation involves resolving disputes by filing or responding to a complaint in local, state, or federal courts. While it can take months or even years to reach a resolution, it is one of several legal avenues available to address environmental issues in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. CLA can guide you through every stage of a court case, whether you are initiating legal action or responding to a lawsuit. We help identify potential legal strategies and, if litigation is appropriate, develop a strategy tailored to your goals. CLA’s volunteer attorneys can draft and file court documents and represent you at hearings or trial.

CLA helps citizens, community groups, local governments, and environmental advocates understand the permitting process and learn how to engage effectively to protect their rights, the rights of their community, or the health of environmental resources in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We can assist interested parties in submitting comments during permit reviews and public processes. Examples include the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, Clean Water Act permits for industrial or wastewater treatment facilities, and land use or zoning matters.