Practice Areas

U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers in America® have named JLG as a Tier 1 "2024 Best Law Firm" for Environmental Law and Litigation-Environmental.

Missouri Lawyers Weekly includes Steve Jeffery on its list of "Top 100 Missouri Attorneys" for 2024.

JLG has successfully represented Clients in several Federal and State trial and appellate courts, as well as before Federal, State and Local administrative agencies, regarding commercial, environmental and toxic tort matters.  

Recent reported cases include:  

Nexgen Silica LLC v Mo Dept Natural Resources,  677 S.W.3d 594 (Mo. App. E.D. 2024).

Robinson v. Mo Dept Health & Sr. Svcs., 672 S.W.3d 224 (Mo. banc 2023)

Cedar Co. Comm. v. Parson, 661 S.W.3d 766 (Mo. banc 2023)

In Re PVC Management II, LLC,  623 S.W.3d 733 (Mo. App. W.D. 2021); 

Hickory Neighbors United, Inc. v Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 603 S.W.3d 286 (Mo. banc 2020);

Valley Park Properties v Clean Water Commission, 580 S.W.3d 607 (Mo. App. E.D. 2019);

Countryclub Homes LLC v Clean Water Commission 591 S.W.3d 882 (Mo. App. W.D. 2019).

JLG has represented many different types of facilities and sources that emit greater than a de minimis amount of air pollutants and are thus subject to complex air pollution requirements.  

Also, JLG has handled matters in different States including applicability determinations, permitting, regulatory compliance, and enforcement defense regarding:

• New Source Review
• Prevention of Significant Deterioration
• New Source Performance Standards
• National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, including asbestos matters
• Emission Inventories
• Pre-construction Permits
• Operating Permits

In 1998, Mr. Jeffery successfully represented an asbestos removal contractor in a case that invalidated the State asbestos rules.  Corvera Abatement Technologies, Inc. v. Air Conservation Comm., 973 S.W.2d 851 (Mo. banc 1998).

JLG has represented many industrial and manufacturing facilities that have discharges into navigable waters or tributaries of navigable waters, or which are connected to public sewer treatment works.   Also, we have handled matters in different States with State agencies, the EPA, and the Army Corps of Engineers concerning permitting, regulatory compliance, enforcement defense and litigation regarding:

• National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits
• Clean Water Act, § 303(d) List of Impaired Waters
• Rivers and Harbors Act, § 10 permits
• Clean Water Act, § 404 permits
• Water Quality Standards and Effluent Limitations
• Storm water permits
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
• Silica sand mining facilities

JLG has represented property owners and facility operators who, at some time, sent waste for disposal or who owned or leased property where wastes were disposed, and who are facing Superfund cost recovery claims from the U.S. Government or other PRPs. 

Also, we have been involved in many redevelopment projects in different States where site remediation and redevelopment is taking place under State Brownfields voluntary clean-up programs.  While the General Counsel at the Missouri DNR, Mr. Jeffery helped write the legislation that created the Missouri Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program.

Also, we have represented several solid waste disposal and waste hauling firms, including several major landfills, in connection with the applicability and scope of RCRA Subtitle D standards, landfill permitting and expansion matters, defense of enforcement actions, and representation in rulemaking proceedings.

JLG is experienced in matters concerning renewable energy, climate change and sustainability: siting and permitting requirements for wind energy and solar energy projects; applications for grants and financial assistance; permitting requirements for biofuel facilities; development of carbon credit projects and transactions involving carbon offset credits; and renewable energy credits.  

In 2018, a Judgment in favor of our Client was entered in a case brought by a homeowners' association trying to force the removal of residential solar panels.  Kehrs Mill Estates Residents Ass'n v. Babbs, St. Louis County Circuit Court, Case No.: 14SL-CC03614.

In 2013, the Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed a Judgment in favor of our Client in a dispute concerning the City's refusal to issue a building permit for a residential solar panel installation.  Babb v. Mo. Public Service Comm. and City of Clarkson Valley, 414 S.W.3d 64 (Mo. App. W.D. 2013).

In 2011, we successfully defended the solar rebate provisions in Proposition C from legal challenge.  Mo. Energy Dev. Ass'n v. Mo. Public Service Commission, Cole County Circuit Court, Case No. 10AC-CC00512

We assist Clients involving general business, corporate, and land use matters:

• Business formation, including limited liability company formation
• Acquisitions and sales
• Commercial development projects, including Brownfields
• Land Use matters, including zoning, conditional use and  special use permits
• Commercial dispute resolution

In 2021, JLG represented a regional waste hauling firm in connection with its acquisition by a major national waste management firm.

In 2014, JLG represented a local solid waste firm in connection with the acquisition of a trash transfer station and negotiation of a long-term ground lease with a major national waste disposal firm.