Jeffrey J. Davidson

Jeff Davidson brings more than 40 years of experience guiding clients through complex environmental and regulatory issues. His practice spans litigation, commercial transactions, and regulatory counseling, representing corporate clients in over 35 states and before all major federal environmental and energy agencies. He also advises clients on energy facility permitting and emerging sustainability-focused agreements, including green supply chain contracts.

Jeff has defended and prosecuted high-stakes environmental cases, ranging from Superfund cost recovery and property contamination claims to toxic torts involving chlorinated solvents, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals, and asbestos. His litigation experience includes addressing human and ecological exposures to toxic materials and asserting and defending claims for environmental cost recovery. He also helps clients identify, quantify, and resolve environmental liability risks, conducts private investigations and audits, and frequently resolves disputes through mediation.

On the commercial side, Jeff has led environmental due diligence for M&A deals from $10 million to more than $1 billion, negotiated key environmental provisions in nearly 100 transactions, and helped structure real estate deals, including Brownfields agreements and deed restrictions. He also advises public companies on the appropriate scope of financial disclosure for environmental matters under federal regulatory programs.

A trusted adviser on regulatory matters, Jeff counsels clients on both legacy programs and emerging challenges such as PFAS regulation and the "waters of the United States" rulemaking. He has submitted comments on proposed rules, participated in challenges to final regulations, and shared his insights through corporate trainings and law school lectures.

Experience

Environmental Enforcement and Litigation

Representing individuals and companies in federal and state enforcement actions, including Clean Water Act and Superfund cases, and negotiating compliance and remediation obligations with EPA and state agencies.

Defended a national homebuilder in a Clean Water Act enforcement action brought by the U.S. Corps of Engineers (including a temporary restraining order).

Represented landowners in cost recovery and enforcement actions under Superfund and FUDS programs, including claims exceeding $100 million.

Assisted industrial and manufacturing clients in environmental criminal investigations and enforcement actions, including allegations of hazardous substance releases, ocean disposal violations, and worker exposure claims.

Represented a former airport fuel farm operator in a federal cost recovery claim.

Assisted a national real estate asset management company in claims and cleanup coordination related to petroleum contamination.

Represented a real estate developer regarding contamination of a municipal water supply well following a construction accident, and a manufacturing company regarding historic VOC releases affecting private drinking wells.

Corporate Compliance and Risk Management

Advised major manufacturers and electronics companies on environmental compliance audits, "green supply chain" requirements, and regulatory risk management under TSCA (including PCB regulatory program exceptions), RCRA, FIFRA, and mobile source emission regulations.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America (2026–2027)

Chambers USA (2009–2011, 2013–2026)

Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, D.C. Superior Court (2014, 2018, 2022)

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Professional & Community Involvement

Jeff serves as an adviser to the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, an interdisciplinary clinic that represents nonprofit community-based and environmental organizations. He also volunteers with the Washington Jesuit Academy, a tuition-free Catholic middle school for boys from underserved communities in Washington, D.C.

Named Washington Jesuit Academy’s Volunteer of the Year, Jeff coaches the debate team at the all-boys middle school, which provides rigorous, tuition-free education to students from underserved communities in Washington, D.C. He introduces students to Supreme Court advocacy through cases drawn from the court’s docket and taught from actual pleadings. Jeff has brought the team to the Supreme Court to meet one of the justices in chambers and shoot hoops on the building's aptly named "Highest Court in the Land."