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    David B. Graham

    Member • Chair of Environmental Law
    Office: Williamsburg
    Admissions: Virginia, Washington DC

    Biography

    David heads the environmental practice of Kaufman & Canoles. He represents clients in litigation and regulatory matters throughout the country. Prior to joining Kaufman & Canoles, David headed the environmental practices at Kaye Scholer and Howrey & Simon in Washington, D.C. and Baker & Hostetler in Cleveland, Ohio.

    Representative Matters

    • Emhart v. Celanese, et al., U.S. District Court of Rhode Island, defending against cost recovery claim
    • Ashland, Inc. v. Gar Electroforming, 729 F. Supp. 2d 526 (D.R.I. 2010), plaintiff’s counsel on cost recovery claim
    • Represented Fortune 250 company removed from potentially responsible party listed at Superfund Site
    • Serving as liaison or common counsel to groups of potentially responsible parties at four waste sites in
      Illinois and Rhode Island
    • Negotiated agreements with three state agencies to cleanup waste sites
    • Serves as De Minimis Counsel for over 100 parties at a Superfund Site outside of Chicago
    • Represented multi-state power company defending against liability claims at coal combustion waste disposal site
    • Prepared emergency response plan for Fortune 250 international manufacturing company

    Recognition & Honors

    • Virginia’s Legal Elite; Virginia Business Magazine, 2004, 2008-2023
    • Top Lawyers; CoVaBIZ, 2019-2022
    • One of Ten Pioneers of Environmental Law; National Law Journal
    • Chair; ABA Superfund and Hazardous Waste Committee, 1990s
    • ABA’s Work Group on Superfund Reauthorization, 1990s
    • Member; Board of Advisors, Chemical Waste Litigation Reporter
    • Member; National Petroleum Council, an advisory board to the Secretary of the Department of Energy, 1980s
    • Team Leader; Task Force on Social Security, White House Advisory Committee, 1980s
    • Distinguish Achievement Award; American Heart Association, Nations Capital Affiliates, 1997

    Education

    • Louisiana State University; B.S., Petroleum Engineering, 1966
    • Louisiana State University Law Center; J.D., 1969

    Press & Publications