Ben’s environmental practice includes both environmental defense litigation and legal assistance and counsel relating to environmental emergency response work, spill cleanup and assisting clients with obtaining environmental closure. He defends against claims of product defect, failure to warn and defective design. He defends against claims of product defect, failure to warn and defective design. He has experience defending against many types of personal injury lawsuits, claims of brain injury, diminution of property value, loss of use and enjoyment of property and had defended many mass tort claims. He has defended several class action lawsuits alleging damages for nuisance odors, particulate matter, and alleged soil, groundwater and air air contamination. He has defended several cases of alleged damages relating to carbon monoxide exposure. He also defends cases involving alleged breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, and claimed consumer protection act violations. He has handled matters in many States, and practices in both State and Federal Courts. With respect to environmental regulation, he assists clients with resolving Notices of Violations and regulatory enforcement actions. He has assisted clients in their efforts to obtain environmental permits, resolve permit violations, and litigate denied permits under Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). Ben’s extensive practice also includes business issues and commercial litigation. He also has considerable experience in matters involving land use and real property law.

As a hydrogeologist, geologist, former environmental consultant, oil and gas geologist and environmental attorney, Ben brings over 20 years of legal and consulting experience to assist his clients with getting to closure while controlling cost and risk to the extent possible. He believes that his goal oriented approach to obtaining closure, coupled with his understanding of the science and ability to effectively communicate with regulators and consultants provides great value to his client by increasing efficiencies and working with consultants to identify cost effective and proven remedial options. Throughout his career, he has worked on environmental cleanup matters in various capacities in MI, OH, IN, KS, VA, IA, ND, SD, CO, OK, LA, WI and TX, among other states. He has handled matters involving chlorinated solvents, brine, crude oil, gasoline and diesel, ethanol, liquid fertilizer (ammonia, nitrates, nitrites), formaldehyde and methanol, among others.