Alexander J. Bandza has a broad-based environmental and energy litigation and counseling practice. Clients and colleagues alike appreciate his manner of doing business – a combination of easygoing approachability with a relentless focus on practical outcomes – when handling their most sophisticated and complex matters.
OVERVIEW
Alexander J. Bandza
Partner
OVERVIEW
Alexander J. Bandza
Partner
Alexander J. Bandza has a broad-based environmental and energy litigation and counseling practice. Clients and colleagues alike appreciate his manner of doing business – a combination of easygoing approachability with a relentless focus on practical outcomes – when handling their most sophisticated and complex matters.
- OVERVIEW
- EXPERIENCE
- Presentations
- Publications
- INSIGHTS & EVENTS
OVERVIEW
Alex defends toxic tort and wrongful death claims arising out of alleged environmental and workplace exposures; CERCLA, RCRA and common law claims arising out of alleged environmental contamination; and OSHA citation and enforcement actions arising out of alleged workplace harms or exposures. He also counsels clients in evaluating and responding to alleged environmental misconduct in federal criminal investigations.
Alex is acutely aware of the challenges that can arise for clients in need of resolving a dispute. Because of that, he is attentive to particular facets of litigation, including time, cost and exposure, that can have an impact when and if litigation is the necessary course of action.
Additionally, Alex has significant experience before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), including several matters under the Federal Power Act specific to renewable energy, distributed generation, energy efficiency, reactive power, and energy transmission. He also advises on the energy regulatory-related aspects of corporate transactions, especially in the private equity space.
Beyond assisting with disputes, Alex works with clients on the environmental and workplace health and safety issues in the context of corporate transactions and advises on environmental and consumer product regulations, including warnings and notices under California's Proposition 65.
Alex has an active pro bono practice, litigating matters of pressing public concern to Illinois and throughout the Midwest, specifically in support of environmental nonprofits and health justice advocacy groups.
Before entering law school, Alex worked with Exponent, Inc., a scientific consulting firm, where he conducted economic and statistical analyses in support of expert witnesses in economics, statistics, epidemiology, and toxicology.
Professional and Community Involvement
Vice chair of membership, former chair and former vice chair of electronic communications,
American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources’ Constitutional Law Committee
Vice chair of membership, American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources’ Science and Technology Committee
Founding member and board secretary, The Associates Committee (California NFP)
Board member, Young Professionals in Energy (Chicago) Board
Board member, Legal Council for Health Justice Board
Co-chair, Berkeley Law Alumni Group-Chicago
Former adviser, PracticePro LLC’s Diversity Scholar Program
Honors
American College of Environmental Lawyers, First Place, Stephen E. Herrmann Environmental Law Writing Contest for “Epidemiological-Study Reanalyses and Daubert: A Modest Proposal to Level the Playing Field in Toxic Tort Litigation,” 2013
Society for Risk Analysis, Best Student Paper Merit Award for "Modeling the Transition from Enhanced Oil Recovery to Geologic Carbon Sequestration," 2007
EXPERIENCE
Presentations
- Panelist, Chicago Career Conference, PracticePro, June 22, 2017
- “Overview of Critical CERCLA and RCRA Litigation Issues,” Association of American Railroads, October 25, 2016
- “Out in OCI,” University of Chicago Law School OutLaw Group, May 2, 2016
- “Hydraulic Fracturing in Illinois: What Has The National Frenzy Meant For Our State?” Young Professionals in Energy, April 7, 2016
- “Supreme Court Year in Review: The Environmental Cases,” ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources’ Constitutional Law Committee, July 9, 2015
- “Supreme Court Year in Review: The Environmental Cases,” ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources’ Constitutional Law Committee, July 17, 2014
- “Law and Regulation in the Wake of Natural Disasters: Environmental, Land Use, Reconstruction and Takings Issues in a Rapidly Changing Physical World,” American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (Constitutional Law Committee), March 24, 2014]
Publications
- Environmental Law in Corporate and Real Estate Transactions 2019 Edition, IlCLE, May 2019
- Co-Author, “Crucifying ExxonMobil Will Not Solve Climate Change,” Inside Counsel, Sept. 15, 2016
- “The Rise and Fall of Article III Standing Requirements in Michigan: A Look at the Michigan Environmental Policy Act,” ABA Section on Environmental Energy and Resources Constitutional Law Committee Newsletter, March 2015
- Co-Author, “Environmental Hot Topics: Critical Business Considerations,” Toxic Torts, Dec. 19, 2014
- Co-Author, Environmental Law in Illinois Corporate and Real Estate Transactions 2014 Edition, IICLE, April 2014
- Co-Author, “9 Environmental Challenges for US Businesses in 2014,” Corporate Counsel, March 3, 2014
- Co-Author, “Modeling the Transition from Enhanced Oil Recovery to Geologic Carbon Sequestration,” Managerial & Decision Economics, Vol. 35, 2014
- Co-Author, “EPA Administrative Orders on Consent, CERCLA § 113(f) Contribution Actions, and the Operative Statute of Limitations After Atlantic Research,” Environmental Law Reporter, Vol. 43, 2013
- Co-Author, The Shift to Private Auction Vendors for Surplus Vehicle Disposal,” Heinz Journal (Carnegie Mellon University), Vol. 10, 2013
- “Epidemiological-Study Reanalyses and Daubert: A Modest Proposal to Level the Playing Field in Toxic Tort Litigation,” Ecology Law Quarterly, Vol. 39, 2012
- “South Coast Air Quality Management District v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: Ninth Circuit Holds Reliance on Problematic State Agency Standard Satisfies NEPA,” Ecology Law Quarterly, Vol. 38, 2011
- Co-Author, “Creating and Financing the Next-Generation Carbon Offset Project: An Application to Carbon Capture and Storage,” in Energy And Environmental Project Finance Law and Taxation: New Investment Techniques, Andrea Kramer and Peter Fusaro, eds., 2010
- “Gone With the Wind? Understanding the Problems of Wind Energy Policy in the United States Through the Successes of Denmark and Germany,” Environmental Law Reporter, Vol. 37, 2007
INSIGHTS & EVENTS
