Nancy J. Rich, a partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman, represents clients in complex matters under environmental and common law including Superfund, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and environmental toxic torts.
What do you find the most interesting about your practice?
Strategy and problem-solving. In both the litigation and transactional/counseling aspects of our practice, it is critical to learn and understand the concerns of all parties involved in the lawsuit, deal or regulatory issue. For example, sometimes we find that one or both parties’ demands don’t really match their objectives, or that a client or opponent has a different perception than we had understood regarding one or more issues. Obtaining that knowledge gives us a tremendous advantage in communicating with our clients and working with them to develop a strategy to litigate or negotiate a favorable resolution.
What makes a good lawyer?
A good lawyer has to think critically and know how to strategically apply that thinking to resolve clients’ real life issues. Clients want to focus on their business, and they need practical, cost-effective legal advice that helps them to demonstrate that they are effectively managing legal issues. For example, I often need to hire environmental technical experts to provide consulting services or to testify on behalf of our clients. All too often, I see consultants who propose a science project instead of a streamlined solution that resolves the client’s problem. A good lawyer stays focused on the ultimate goals and helps to form and guide the client’s team so that it achieves these goals in the most economically and ethically responsible manner.
What is the biggest legal news right now, and what is its impact?
Congress and the new administration are working to legislatively reshape the nation’s economy into a sustainability-driven economy. We hear and read multiple stories every day — new fuel economy standards that will significantly change the cars we drive; capping and trading of greenhouse gas emissions to address global climate change; tax incentives for clean energy and green buildings. “Going green” is becoming an economic mandate in the marketplace, and sustainability-driven laws, rules and public policy are affecting businesses and investments. At the same time, these changes are creating new business opportunities for companies and individuals who anticipate and understand them.
In order to provide clients with the assistance they need to navigate these new opportunities and challenges, lawyers need to form interdisciplinary teams or practice groups that include areas such as corporate governance (SEC disclosures), real estate (green buildings), environmental (regulatory and litigation), financial services/tax (bonds and tax credits) and intellectual property (green patents).
