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Jennifer T. Nijman, Susan M. Franzetti, E. Lynn Grayson and Susan E. Brice of Nijman·Franzetti LLP each have more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of environmental law. After leaving two of Chicago’s largest firms, Ms. Nijman and Ms. Franzetti formed Nijman·Franzetti LLP in early 2008 in order to better serve their clients. Ms. Grayson and Ms. Brice joined the firm following their own time in Big Law leadership positions in Chicago. In a boutique, women-owned firm setting, Nijman·Franzetti LLP offers clients hands-on personal attention at reasonable hourly billing rates and alternative fee structures.
What We Do
Our attorneys handle all aspects of environmental litigation defense and enforcement, including federal, state and local agency enforcement matters, private party actions for property contamination, and toxic tort cases. We have broad experience before the Illinois Pollution Control Board, participating in rule making proceedings, pursuing permit appeals (or defending against third-party permit appeals), seeking variances and adjusted standards, and representing clients at contested hearings.
We have represented companies in more than 100 Superfund matters across the nation. Our Superfund work includes representing groups of Potentially Responsible Parties and individual clients. We also have extensive experience in property remediation projects pursued under federal and state cleanup programs. In connection with property contamination matters, we prepare and file regulatory submissions, negotiate and submit environmental investigation and remediation plans and pursue No Further Remediation letters and other site closure commitments. We manage environmental due diligence for M&A work, private equity matters and complex real estate transactions including review and assessment of material liabilities and Phase I and II property reports. A significant portion of our practice is dedicated to handling day-to-day environmental counseling for our clients.
We serve as national environmental counsel working with our clients’ in-house attorneys on environmental issues and management of material environmental liabilities. We have assisted in-house attorneys regarding permitting issues, questions concerning the applicability of federal or state environmental regulations, and responding to regulatory inquiries. We regularly counsel our clients’ in-house attorneys on environmental issues that may arise in the course of any corporate transaction, including environmental disclosures, reserves and financial assurance.
We know how to communicate with specialized personnel at both client and regulatory offices. We understand the technical concepts and ask the right questions. One of our particular skills is working with environmental experts and consultants to develop legal positions on complex matters that are then conveyed in persuasive and cogent oral and written submissions to regulators.
Client Satisfaction
Clients and peers know Jennifer Nijman, Susan Franzetti, Lynn Grayson and Susan Brice are four of the state’s most respected environmental lawyers.
The firm is praised for being a “high-caliber environmental boutique…renowned for its RCRA and CERCLA experience, as well as for its prowess in litigation and enforcement matters. They have a great appreciation of the pressures facing in house counsel.” (Chambers). Nijman·Franzetti LLP offers “an interface between law and other professions, which gives clients access to a top-notch array of associated business contacts.” Despite its small size, clients and peers recommend this firm without hesitation. (Chambers).
Experience
Jennifer Nijman, Susan Franzetti, Lynn Grayson and Susan Brice have the background and experience to solve the vast array of environmental issues facing clients, including agency enforcement, private party litigation, permitting, compliance and contaminated property remediation and transfer. Their partner, Kristen Gale, was an Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, where she represented the State of Illinois in environmental enforcement matters. Vince Angermeier joined the firm in 2014 after working in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and as a summer clerk at the Department of Justice’s Environmental Division. Both Ms. Gale and Mr. Angermeier formerly worked as environmental consultants prior to law school. Genevieve J. Essig came to Nijman·Franzetti LLP from an environmental practice at a large Chicago firm, and Molly Snittjer joined the firm in 2019 after working at the Environmental Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.