Having worked in-house at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Cheryl Gonzalez brings uncommon perspective and significant knowledge regarding environmental compliance to addressing her clients’ sophisticated concerns. Cheryl is a consummate regulatory counselor, and staunch advocate and negotiator, for her clients and for the environment.
Cheryl A. Gonzalez
Of Counsel
Indianapolis
11 S. Meridian StreetIndianapolis, IN 46204-3535
Cheryl A. Gonzalez
Of Counsel
Indianapolis
11 S. Meridian StreetIndianapolis, IN 46204-3535
Having worked in-house at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Cheryl Gonzalez brings uncommon perspective and significant knowledge regarding environmental compliance to addressing her clients’ sophisticated concerns. Cheryl is a consummate regulatory counselor, and staunch advocate and negotiator, for her clients and for the environment.
- OVERVIEW
- EXPERIENCE
- Presentations
- INSIGHTS & EVENTS
Cheryl’s results-oriented approach is based on her understanding of the complexities of environmental regulations and the pressures facing the industry and its regulators. She is a solution-seeker who possesses a full appreciation of her clients’ business objectives and limitations. Her goal is to help her clients understand what rules and regulations apply to their operations, challenge inapplicable agency decisions, ensure on-going compliance, and resolve any deviations as efficiently as possible.
Cheryl focuses primarily on state and federal implementation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. She assists clients with issues connected to these acts and with many other areas of environmental law, including pollution prevention and emergency response and planning. Her work often relies on team building and integrating information from front-line technicians, consultants, and plant managers to present solutions to general counsel, company management and regulatory agencies.
Cheryl has worked with several Fortune 100 companies in an advisory capacity and before administrative, state, and federal courts on various litigation matters. She counsels clients on construction and operating requirements for stationary sources of pollution and requirements stemming from mobile source emissions. She also routinely performs penalty and settlement analyses and negotiates settlement options for clients facing enforcement actions.
Cheryl founded the firm’s Environmental Law Blog, is a regular contributor to the Blog, and frequently gives presentations on environmental issues.
Outside of private practice, Cheryl spent six years as Air Program Counsel for IDEM. In that role, she provided legal guidance to the Indiana Office of Air Quality's permitting, compliance, and state program development branches. This work resulted in her representation of the state in matters that were both adverse to and coordinated with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), including consideration of major federal policy initiatives like the Mercury Air Toxics Standard, Endangerment Finding, Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule, and Clean Power Plan.
Early in her career, Cheryl worked for former Governor Frank O’Bannon as the governor’s special assistant for legislative affairs and served as a liaison to the members of the Indiana General Assembly.
Professional and Community Involvement
Member, Air & Waste Management Association
Executive board member, Indiana State Bar Association’s Environmental Law Section
Member, Indiana Chamber of Commerce Environment Section
Member, Northwest Indiana Forum
Honors
Governor’s Fellow, 1999
Sagamore of the Wabash, 2001
- Presenter, Indiana State Bar Association, “What’s the Buzz: Environmental Law Updates on Distilleries and Breweries,” Sept. 20, 2018
- Presenter, Alliance of Indiana Rural Water Fall Conference, “Environmental Review: News from IDEM and USEPA,” Oct. 18, 2018
- Presenter, Indiana Chamber of Commerce Environmental Conference, “Federal, State, or Local Agencies: Who’s Making the Rules?” Oct. 22, 2018
- Presenter, Barnes & Thornburg Annual Workshop for Local Government Attorneys, “Environmental Laws Applicable to Local Governments,” Nov. 13, 2018
- Presenter, Indiana Chamber of Commerce Environmental Conference, “What You Need to Know about the Risks of Citizen Suits,” Oct. 23, 2017
- Presenter, Barnes & Thornburg Annual Workshop for Local Government Attorneys, “Environmental Laws Applicable to Local Governments,” Nov. 20, 2016
- Presenter, Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference, “Illinois and Indiana Updates,” Nov. 15, 2016
- Presenter, Manufacturer’s Education Council (MEC), Business and Industry’s Sustainability and Environmental, Health & Safety Symposium, “Current Enforcement Trends for Industry” Mar. 22, 2016