left-caret
Image: Nelson D. Johnson

Nelson D. Johnson

Senior Counsel, Environment and Energy

Overview

Nelson Johnson is a Senior Counsel in the Environment and Energy practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s New York City office. His practice focuses on complex environmental compliance matters, environmental issues in domestic and international business transactions, contaminated site cleanups, and environmental litigation. Nelson has particular expertise in the technical and scientific aspects of environmental law.

Recognitions

  • New York Super Lawyers 2007, 2014 - 2017, 2019

Education

  • J.D., Columbia Law School
  • Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
  • B.S., California Institute of Technology

Representations

  • Spent two decades as lead external compliance and transaction attorney for Fortune 100 multinational chemical company.
  • Managed legal aspects of dozens of cleanups including CERCLA sites and RCRA corrective actions.
  • Acted as lead attorney for major hazardous waste actions defending against EPA national enforcement and compliance initiatives.

Engagement & Publications

Publications:

  • "EPA Information Requests—Eight Tips for Effective Responses," April 2021.
  • "RCRA Endangerment Claims: A New Way to Regulate Point Source Discharges?" May 2017.
  • "RCRA Citizen Suits and the Clean Water Act," November 2015.
  • "RCRA regulation of air emissions: Little Hocking's unintended consequences," March 2015.
  • "RCRA Regulation of Uncontained Gases: United States v. Mountain State Carbon," April 2014.
  • "EPA Asks for Input on Hazardous Waste Management in the Retail Sector," February 2014.
  • "New York Law to Help Finance Energy Efficiency Contacts Improvements and Accelerate Energy Generation Facility Construction," Client Advisory, June 2011.
  • "New EPA Naphthalene Risk Assessments," Client Advisory, June 2008.

Practice Areas

Environment and Energy

Land Use

Mass Tort, Toxic Tort, and Environmental Litigation

Mergers and Acquisitions

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions


Languages

English


Admissions

New York Bar


Education

Columbia Law School, J.D. 1992

California Institute of Technology, Ph.D. 1980

California Institute of Technology, B.S. 1974