Meaghan Colligan Hembree

Meaghan Colligan Hembree is an environmental and government relations attorney licensed in Washington, D.C., and New York, and is a member of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group and Environmental Team. Ms. Hembree advises clients on complex regulatory compliance issues and disputes across the entire life cycle of chemicals, wastes and products, including product stewardship, marketing, distribution, use, compliance, permitting, importation, contamination and spills management, and end-of-life management. She provides strategic, business-focused counsel to manufacturing, transportation, development, energy, food and beverage, and fashion clients navigating the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

Ms. Hembree has been recognized by clients and Law360 Rising Stars for her ability to bridge legal, policy and technical aspects of these issues, which allows her to offer clients sophisticated, practical solutions that not only mitigate risk, but also advance their objectives. Whether helping clients manage environmental risk portfolios, prepare legislation, respond to regulatory notices, prepare audit disclosures, develop and implement compliance programs, develop corporate sustainability strategies, integrate assets post-acquisition, conduct due diligence, negotiate contracts or launch new products and brands, Ms. Hembree's guidance ensures that businesses remain ahead of emerging regulatory challenges while maintaining compliance across all stages of the product life cycle.

Additionally, Ms. Hembree's litigation and enforcement defense experience with respect to complex water contamination cases, Superfund matters, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), wastewater issues, waste and air issues further strengthens her ability to represent clients effectively in high-stakes enforcement actions and disputes.

Ms. Hembree offers the following legal support:

Regulatory Counseling and Compliance Program Support

Ms. Hembree assists companies with navigating the full spectrum of product and chemical regulations, including developing and implementing environmental, health and safety (EHS) compliance programs, submitting voluntary self-disclosures under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Audit Policy and related state programs, and performing risk assessments and internal investigations. This also includes:

• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) compliance and strategic support, covering essential areas such as chemical inventory and reporting, Premanufacture Notices (PMNs), Significant New Use Notifications (SNUNs), compliance with the EPA's risk evaluations and management rules, PFAS reporting, and import and export notification
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste compliance
• Clean Water Act (CWA), wastewater, Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC), and stormwater compliance
• State and local Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, packaging mandates recycled content requirements, PFAS bans, chemical reporting concerns and emerging sustainability regulations
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) registration, pesticide labeling and enforcement
• Green marketing claims, including guidance under the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Green Guides and other international standards and voluntary certification programs
• Legal challenges and compliance issues related to hazardous material transportation and importation

Enforcement and Litigation

Ms. Hembree has extensive experience representing clients in enforcement actions, administrative proceedings and civil litigation related to spills and releases of contamination, product safety, chemical disclosures, labeling and waste management. She has successfully defended clients in matters involving the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), TSCA, RCRA, FIFRA, CWA, Clean Air Act (CAA) and common law. Ms. Hembree also has a proven track record of defending clients in the EPA, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), state-led actions and citizen suits. Her litigation practice also covers disputes related to environmental compliance, regulatory investigations, internal investigations, insurance claims, landlord/tenant issues, insurance coverage and product liability, where she utilizes her deep regulatory and transactional experience to safeguard her clients' interests.

Remediation, Redevelopment and Crisis Response Support

Ms. Hembree advises clients on complex site remediation and redevelopment projects, including brownfield and Superfund site cleanups. Her support includes managing environmental liabilities, cost allocation among Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) groups, fate and transport analysis, completion of brownfield programs, regulatory strategy development and related transactional support. She has significant experience working with EPA and state agencies, and provides guidance throughout the lifecycle of spill response, crisis management, remediation and redevelopment to help clients manage risk while advancing business goals.

Transactions and Due Diligence

Ms. Hembree's practice also focuses on helping clients identify, assess, and manage environmental and regulatory risks in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity investments and other transactions. She provides targeted due diligence services to address potential liabilities related to contamination risks, chemical registrations, product approvals, waste obligations and supply chain exposures.

Policy and Legislative Support

Ms. Hembree plays an instrumental role in monitoring and influencing the legal landscape through active engagement in rulemakings, policy development and legislative advocacy. She helps clients stay ahead of emerging legal requirements surrounding PFAS, EPR, plastics reduction, circular economy initiatives and green chemistry policies.