Plews Shadley Racher & Braun. With 34 attorneys in Indianapolis and South Bend practicing environmental law, we have the largest environmental practice in Indiana and one of the biggest in the Midwest. Founded in 1988, our lawyers have handled administrative, state and federal trials and appeals covering a broad spectrum of environmental cases including environmental insurance cost recovery, the prosecution and defense of claims involving solid and hazardous materials, clean air and water acts, underground storage tanks, Brownfields remediation and redevelopment, toxic torts, environmental property damage or cost recovery claims and government enforcement actions of all kinds.

Our lawyers assist clients in navigating the complex and ever-changing world of local, state and federal environmental rules and permit requirements. We advise clients on environmental issues in real estate and business transactions, in conducting environmental due diligence and audits, in participating in voluntary cleanup programs, in developing programs for limiting exposure to environmental claims, and in drafting and monitoring legislation and administrative rules. Our firm has actively participated in numerous Superfund cases and has organized committees to represent various interest groups in such efforts. We have a substantial practice in coal and natural resource law, including both permitting and administrative actions.

Insurance & Risk Management Services, LLC

Insurance & Risk Management Services, LLC (IRMS), a division of Plews Shadley Racher & Braun, provides insurance and risk management consulting services to its clients. Kevin Thompson, MBA, JD, of counsel to PSRB, is president of IRMS. IRMS provides risk assessment services for its clientele and makes specific recommendations to improve or otherwise enhance the property and casualty insurance coverage.
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Over the last several years, and through a number of different appellate and Indiana court decisions, our firm has had significant successes representing policyholders in actions to recover insurance dollars, particularly for claims concerning environmental liabilities. We have litigated virtually all of the key Indiana cases establishing the right to protection under general and business liability policies for environmental claims. Through this work, Indiana has become probably the most favorable jurisdiction for policyholders in this area. These decisions have prevented the misapplication of pollution exclusions found in many policies and maximized the coverage available under personal injury and other coverage provisions. Our practice in this field is among the most innovative anywhere today. For more information, see our Insurance Coverage page.

Insurance Coverage For Environmental Cleanups

Indiana Supreme Court Affirms Coverage Under "Absolute Pollution Exclusion" Insurance Policies

Indiana Law Review, "Environmental Law Developments: Hope and Ambiguity in Achieving the Optimal Environment," G. Plews and D. Marron

Landmark Insurance Coverage Case for Policyholders

A Variety of Other Complex Civil Matters

Our firm is widely known for its environmental work, but it also has substantial experience in other areas of civil law, including complex litigation and appeals, real estate and business transactions, creation of new legal entities and business ventures, class actions and product liability.

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