Bio

Chuck Becker offers his clients critical, strategic legal advice that protects against costly litigation from governments, class actions, or individuals. Environmental regulation means that anyone operating a business or owning/leasing real estate could find themselves in litigation. Chuck is a multidisciplinary problem solver with more than 30 years' practice experience, primarily in the areas of environmental law, real estate, land use and trial law. Chuck regularly represents parties in environmental matters, including major corporations, developers, environmental groups, drainage/levee districts, municipalities and individuals. Among other representation, he has acted as lead environmental counsel on two nationally significant environmental matters: a class action air emission case ("Freeman et al vs. GPC"); and a Clean Water Act case affecting farmers (Board of Water Works Trustees of the City of Des Moines vs. Sac County Board of Supervisors et al). Chuck provides legal counseling to corporations on regulatory compliance, air and water permits, site cleanups, land use, floodplain development, green development, archeological compliance, and other environmental issues. Chuck is regularly involved in administrative actions and litigation involving all of the following areas: environmental cleanup and superfund, hazardous waste spills, civil enforcement actions, underground storage tank cleanup, Clean Water and Clean Air Act cases, environmental permits, administrative rulemaking and land use/zoning litigation. Chuck advises corporate clients on environmental regulations and permit requirements in all aspects of business, including manufacturing, real estate, construction, and development. His areas of practice include environmental investigations and due diligence; the purchase, sale, and leasing of contaminated properties; defense of class actions for environmental claims; storm water discharge permitting; permits under Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, and other federal and state environmental laws; lending issues and lender liability; regulatory compliance; UST and AST permits; closures and cleanups; zoning and land use planning; impact fee litigation; wetlands mitigation; archeological reviews; environmental audits; and financial reporting. Chuck regularly negotiates on behalf of corporations with governmental agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, the Iowa Attorney General's Office, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the State Historical Preservation Office, municipalities, counties, and state pollution control agencies. Chuck assists clients with federal and state regulations regarding NPDES permitting, air quality, hazardous and solid waste, water and wetlands, land use, land development/zoning; floodplain regulation and archeological issues. Legal: University of Iowa, J.D. 1979 (Managing Editor, Iowa Law Review, 1978-79); Undergraduate: University of Iowa, B.B.A., 1976;