Overview

Geoff Tichenor is a problem solver first, environmental lawyer second. Geoff helps clients navigate state and federal environmental laws applicable to air emissions, water discharges, storage tanks, waste management, contaminated lands, chemical storage reporting, and spills. He regularly counsels clients facing environmental enforcement actions and presenting complex permitting and compliance questions. Geoff has broad experience representing clients before state and federal agencies, including on rulemakings. He also regularly advises clients on the risks and liability associated with real estate and other business transactions, primarily in the context of corporate mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Geoff’s clients look to him to develop effective corporate environmental management and auditing strategies.

Geoff was selected as an Oregon Environmental Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2013 and 2014 and as one of the Portland Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 and recognized by Chambers USA from 2017 to 2023. Geoff is a former co-leader of the firm’s Consumer Products, Manufacturing & Transportation Industry Group.

Previously, Geoff worked with Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, Chicago, Illinois (2006) and The Collins Law Firm, Naperville, Illinois (2005–2006). He also served as a law clerk to The Honorable Lesley Wells, United States District Court, Cleveland, Ohio (2004–2005) and the Oregon Department of Justice, Natural Resources Section, Portland, Oregon (2002–2004). During law school, Geoff externed with The Honorable Lynn Adelman, United States District Court, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Summer 2003).

Education

Lewis & Clark Law School, J.D., 2004, magna cum laude; Public Interest Law Fellowship; Associate editor, Environmental Law; Cornelius Honors Society; Certificate, Environmental and Natural Resources Law

University of Wisconsin, B.A., 2000, with distinction; Dean's List; Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

Oregon

United States District Courts for the District of Oregon and Northern District of Illinois

Experience

Government Action / Citizen Suits

  • Defense of clients in federal and state environmental enforcement actions, including negotiating civil settlements, penalties, supplemental environmental projects, and responding to information requests.
  • Representation of clients in responding to 60-day notice-of-intent-to-sue letters from environmental organizations.
  • Developed comments for clients on proposed administrative rules, state and federal laws.
  • Assist clients to voluntarily self-disclose environmental violations, including under federal and state audit policies.
  • Representation of industrial clients in resolving OSHA citations.
  • Assisted corporate clients facing criminal investigations.

Compliance Counseling

  • Provided regulatory compliance counseling to clients under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act; and comparable state laws.
  • Advised clients regarding the classification and transportation of hazardous materials under state and federal regulatory programs, including requirements prescribed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

Environmental Permitting

  • Assisted industrial facilities to obtain and renew wastewater discharge permits.
  • Assisted public wastewater treatment facility in NPDES permit renewal process.
  • Assisted clients to obtain WPCF permits under Oregon’s Underground Injection Control Program.
  • Assisted municipality to renew its NPDES MS4 permit.
  • Assisted industrial facilities to obtain and comply with air permits, including Title V and Major Source New Source Review permits.

Due Diligence / Environmental Business Transactions

  • Conducted environmental due diligence in business and real estate transactions, including on behalf of parties interested in pursuing oil and gas development ventures, acquiring and divesting large-scale manufacturing operations, wind farms and biomass facilities.
  • Drafted environmental provisions in letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements, and related documents in real estate transactions.
  • Assisted buyers to obtain coverage under environmental permits held by sellers.
  • Representation of clients in brownfields transactions to negotiate prospective purchase agreements and comfort letters, obtain environmental insurance, enter into post-closing cleanup agreements, and employ other tools to mitigate ongoing liability.

Cleanup

  • Representation of clients in private environmental cost recovery actions under Oregon, Washington, and federal clean-up laws.
  • Assisted clients in negotiating agreements with federal and state governments to resolve their potential liability for contamination.
  • Negotiation of cost sharing, access, and other agreements between private parties.

Chemical Management

  • Advised clients with immediate and periodic (including Tier IIs, Form Rs, and Form Us) chemical storage and release reporting responsibilities under state and federal law.
  • Advised clients with PCB requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act and equivalent state laws.
  • Advised clients with chemical import and export requirements.

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • Presenter, “Oregon Air Quality Regulatory Updates and Lessons Learned,” Business & The Environment CONFERENCE · EXPO, Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC), December 5, 2023
  • Presenter, “Air Rulemaking,”  “Toxics Release Inventory: The Basics of Reporting,” Business & The Environment CONFERENCE · EXPO, NEBC, December 7, 2022
  • Presenter, “Decarbonization” (Overview of the Oregon Climate Protection Plan and Washington Climate Commitment Act), Food Northwest Process & Packaging Expo, February 4, 2022
  • Presenter, “Cleaner Air Oregon: Three Years In, How’s it Going?” Business & The Environment CONFERENCE · EXPO, NEBC, December 1, 2021
  • Moderator, “Climate Change: Laws, Regulations, Legislation and New Ideas,” Air Quality & Climate Change, Environmental Law Education Center webinar, March 25, 2021
  • Presenter, “Cleaner Air Oregon,” Business & The Environment CONFERENCE · EXPO, NEBC, December 8, 2020
  • Moderator, “Fire Recovery Conversation,” Oregon Brownfields Conference, NEBC, October 5, 2020
  • Presenter, “Air Quality Update,” Environmental Law Education Center webinar, June 3, 2020
  • Presenter, “Forestry and Climate Change,” Pacific Northwest Timberlands Management, Regulations, Litigation, and Business Considerations, Portland, Oregon, March 12, 2020
  • Presenter, “Cleaner Air Oregon: How is it going?” Business & The Environment CONFERENCE · EXPO, Portland, Oregon, December 10, 2019
  • Presenter, “Advanced Air: Oregon’s New Toxics Rules Explained,” Business & The Environment CONFERENCE · EXPO, Portland, Oregon, December 12, 2018
  • Presenter, “Cleaner Air Oregon: The (near) Final Rule,” Cleaner Air Oregon: What the New Toxics Program Means to You? Stoel Rives seminar, November 28, 2018
  • Author, Sponsors’ Note, How Oregon Works: Manufacturing, Portland Business Journal, November 1, 2018
  • Presenter, “Clean Air Act Compliance: New Winds Blowing at EPA,” Stoel Rives webinar, May 16, 2018
  • Moderator, “Introduction to Air Toxics,” Northwest Environmental Conference & Tradeshow, Portland, Oregon, December 5, 2017
  • Moderator, “Air Quality - Charting a New Regulatory Course,” Northwest Environmental Conference & Tradeshow, Portland, Oregon, December 6, 2016
  • Presenter, “Navigating the DEQ Enforcement Process,” NEBC Cascade Chapter Luncheon, February 11, 2016
  • Moderator: Advanced Air Session, Northwest Environmental Conference & Tradeshow, December 10–11, 2015
  • Presenter: “EPA Changes the Rules (Again): Recent Changes to the Definition of ‘Solid Waste,’” Oregon State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Section, October 23, 2015
  • Presenter, “The Definition of Solid Waste Rulemaking,” Stoel Rives ELUNR Workshop Series, May 21, 2015
  • Presenter, “Oregon’s Revised Air Rules—DEQ Kitchen Sink Rulemaking, It’s Here At Last,” Stoel Rives ELUNR Workshop Series, April 22, 2015
  • Presenter, “Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans: Does Your Facility Need One?” Stoel Rives ELUNR Workshop Series, November 19, 2014
  • Presenter, “Statutory Update: Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act & CERCLA,” Oregon State Bar, October 24, 2014
  • Presenter, “Forest Products Clean Air Act Update,” FRA Western Regional Fall Association Meeting, October 15, 2014
  • Presenter, “DEQ to Change Air Rules,” Stoel Rives RDE Lunch Workshop Series, February 13, 2014

Speaking Engagements

Recognition

  • Vice Chair, Air and Waste Management Association, Oregon Chapter, Current
  • Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Oregon) by Chambers USA (Environment), 2017–2023
  • Listed among Rising Stars (Environmental), Oregon Super Lawyers®, 2013–2014
  • Recipient, Stoel Rives LLP Andrew Guy Pro Bono Award, 2021
  • Selected by the Portland Business Journal as a Forty Under 40 honoree, 2013
  • Selected as an “Up & Coming Lawyer” by The Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce, 2012

Affiliations

Professional

  • Adjunct Professor, Clean Air Act Seminar, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2012
  • Steering Committee Member, Northwest Environmental Conference
  • Volunteer Attorney, Multnomah County Legal Aid Services Clinic
  • Member, Environmental and Natural Resources Section, Oregon State Bar Association
  • Member, Sustainable Future Section, Oregon State Bar Association
  • Past Mentor Attorney, Multnomah County Bar Association
  • Past Mentor Attorney, Lewis & Clark Law School
  • Past Member, Oregon State Bar House of Delegates

Civic

  • Board member, Literary Arts
  • Volunteer and past board chair, Portland Homeless Family Solutions
  • Volunteer, Fences for Fido
  • Multnomah County Election Protection Observer

  • As stated by environmental clients, “Geoff has been excellent to work with and shows excellent strategy and communication.”

    “He is an unrivaled creative problem solver with the legal chops to actually solve the problem.”

    “Geoffrey is responsive to our needs and well networked to bring in additional resources when appropriate.”

    “I hold Geoff in the highest regard and would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone.”

  • “Geoffrey is top-notch—he is extremely knowledgeable in air, waste and water, and gives great practical advice.” (Chambers USA)

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