Katherine S. Walton represents clients in a wide range of environmental matters. Katie has extensive experience litigating disputes arising out of transactions involving contaminated properties. She has also represented parties in toxic tort litigation and in permit appeals. Drawing on her background in journalism, she communicates her clients’ positions precisely and persuasively.
Before joining Schiff Hardin, Katie was a litigation associate at an elite business law boutique and at the Chicago office of a top international law firm.
- Secured access necessary for client to remediate a federal Superfund site. Subsequently secured summary judgment against an $11 million counterclaim based on a state law provision allowing compensation paid by a remediating party to a current site owner. The court’s grant of summary judgment was affirmed on appeal by the Sixth Circuit.
- Successfully defended former glass plant manufacturer in arbitration brought by subsequent purchaser of the manufacturing facility who claimed the manufacturer had breached various environmental obligations in purchase agreement. Katie’s client was successful both in arbitration and in subsequent federal court appeals of the arbitrator’s award.
- Won motion to dismiss on behalf of former owner of nuclear fuel facility against nearby property owners claiming the facility had impacted their water supply.
- Spearheaded client’s efforts to respond to regulator inquiries related to several pipeline releases. Also defended client in related civil litigation brought by property owners near one of the releases, which resulted in settlement prior to a costly trial.
