Christopher S. Habel

Representing two large publicly traded international manufacturing clients on a portfolio of contaminated properties. This work involves daily interaction with the clients, their environmental consultants and regulatory agencies. Chris is embedded with the project teams and often a key player in the development and execution of eight-figure environmental investigations and remedial actions. In addition to leading detailed technical conversations with the environmental consultants and remediation contractors, Chris is tasked with navigating the regulatory programs and representing these clients in litigation.

Working with client team to investigate and remediate 1,500-acre site that had experienced a century of mining, ore processing, smelting and chemical manufacturing. Chris negotiated an agreement under the state brownfield program. He worked with the project team to ensure the work was completed to the satisfaction of the state environmental regulators to obtain liability protection for the client. The project was recognized with a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Going beyond remediation, Chris and the client have focused on restoration of ecosystems on the property to advance the sustainability and biodiversity initiatives of the client.

Representing multinational company on development of utility-scale 135 MW solar energy project on brownfield site located within Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) territory.

Representing large company as plaintiff in action against a neighboring landfill that is continuously discharging leachate into streams and groundwater that pollutes client’s property and a 60-acre lake. The case has had proceedings in federal and state court, including appeals before the Tennessee Supreme Court and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Representing Port Authority on multiple land assemblage projects involving remediation and redevelopment of brownfields. Sites involved include former chemical plants, foundries and heavy industrial properties.

Representing large industrial client on two projects involving the investigation and remediation of sediment in Newark Bay and the Staten Island Sound in New Jersey.

Represented timber company in negotiation of carbon credit sales contract supported by its sustainable forestry operations.

Represented large industrial client in defense of litigation involving $40 million in remediation of contaminated sediment in the Hudson River adjacent to chemical plant.

Represented Greater Cincinnati Water Works against another municipality in litigation involving water service area dispute, winning every issue in the case on summary judgment.

Represented national homebuilder on a subdivision constructed on a former shooting range that was contaminated with lead and arsenic. This high-profile case with local and national media coverage became a U.S. EPA Superfund site where homes were repurchased, the entire subdivision was investigated for contamination, 23,000 tons of contaminated soil was removed and the homes were resold.

Assisted in the representation of multiple construction clients on geotechnical and structural engineering issues in major construction disputes. The issues have involved bad topographic surveys, catastrophic foundation system failures, landslides, faulty concrete and storm drainage system failures.

Successfully represented the National Solid Wastes Management Association in its challenge to a rule enacted by a Canton-area solid waste management district that would disrupt the management of solid waste throughout much of northeast Ohio. After a weeklong bench trial, the case was ultimately resolved in the client’s favor by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Represented solid waste industry clients in disputes with local governments over solid waste flow control and disposal fee ordinances.

Completed air emissions calculations, performed dispersion modeling of air emissions and obtained minor, synthetic minor and major source Title V air permits for numerous air emissions sources.

On behalf of a potential buyer, led the environmental due diligence on a bankrupt oil refinery and several gas stations prior to auction sale.

On behalf of a bankruptcy trustee, handled the environmental aspects on the liquidation of over 70 convenience stores with fuel islands.

Led multimedia environmental compliance audits of multiple steel mills.

Led the environmental compliance audit of more than 750 facilities in 39 states for a nationwide telecommunications client. Through use of U.S. EPA’s Environmental Audit Policy and state equivalents, more than $2 million in penalties were waived. Headed a similar audit of 450 facilities in three states that resulted in waivers of over $900,000 in penalties.

Assisted in the audit of a regional hospital system and negotiated purchase agreement to address compliance issues.

Assisted in the successful challenge of a surface mining permit issued in a prime agriculture area and successfully defended a surface mining permit issued near a historic civil war battlefield.

Assisted in the successful defense of an above-ground storage tank construction contractor on a multi-million-dollar federal case involving an alleged 38,000-gallon gasoline leak to soil and groundwater.

Provided support and oversight on the closure of more than 60 underground storage tanks in Ohio and Kentucky including corrective actions and pursuing state UST fund reimbursement claims.

Represented numerous landlords and a large metropolitan school district on lead-based paint concerns and enforcement actions brought by local health departments, U.S. EPA and HUD.

Co-Founder and board chair of Valley View Foundation, a startup nonprofit that raised over $4 million in private and public funds to acquire and create a nature preserve on 190-acres of greenspace that includes a 200+ year old farmhouse in a suburb of Cincinnati.

Played a leading role in the merger and integration of Downtown Cincinnati Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to beautification, safety and vibrancy of Cincinnati’s Central Business District, into 3CDC, Cincinnati’s community development corporation that has transformed the nationally renowned historic Over the Rhine District.

Played a leading role in the reform of Uptown Consortium, Inc., the community development corporation that serves in Cincinnati’s second largest economic district that is home to the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Served on Cincinnati Futures Commission, which was led by the CEOs of Procter & Gamble and 5/3 Bank, working on the financial sustainability of the City of Cincinnati.

As a volunteer board member, Chris has shared his construction and engineering expertise to help implement over $200 million in capital improvement construction projects for multiple nonprofits including Cincinnati Museum Center, Valley View Foundation, Christ the King Parish & Cardinal Pacelli School, St. Xavier High School, and the historic restoration of the Taft Museum of Art, a National Historic Landmark.

Accepted American Heart Association 2025 Heart of the City award on behalf of the Habel family at the annual Greater Cincinnati AHA Heart Ball Gala that raised over $1.5 million for heart and stroke research.

Ten-year Member and Chair of the firm’s Advancement Committee. In his role as Chair, Chris was responsible for recruiting, performance reviews, compensation, promotions, and all aspects of talent management for approximately 300 attorneys across all firm offices. Chris was the innovator who revamped the attorney recruiting and evaluation processes from the ground up and developed and implemented the First Year Associate program to “build better lawyers faster” that remains a key differentiator for the firm.