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.
 

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.
• Guided a petroleum refiner through process safety compliance audits following a catastrophic refinery explosion, responding to directives from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.
• Negotiated with federal and state agencies on site-specific water quality standards and remediation requirements.
• Represented a consumer goods company in a multimillion-dollar FIFRA administrative enforcement action.
• Advised a major manufacturing company regarding alleged violations of California Air Resources Board mobile source emission rules.

Transactional and Advisory Matters

• Represented companies and charitable foundations in carbon credit agreements and sustainability-focused transactions.
• Assisted utilities, real estate developers, and private landowners in navigating regulatory obligations related to environmental contamination, wetland disputes, and construction impacts.
• Managed negotiations for brownfield and contaminated property acquisitions, including vapor intrusion and radioactive waste remediation matters.
• Advised a private school regarding asbestos exposure risks during renovation work.

• Chambers USA, Environmental Law (2010, 2013–2025)
• The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law (2026)
• D.C. Courts Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

•  Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic
  • Adviser
• Washington Jesuit Academy
  • Volunteer of the Year (2024)