Beth S. Gotthelf is a shareholder based in Butzel Long's Bloomfield Hills office, heading up the environmental, energy and land use practice. She represents and counsels a diverse mix of clients in numerous matters throughout the country. These matters include compliance and permitting; alternative energy issues; responding to an emergency; siting new facilities; state and federal civil and criminal enforcement; compliance audits; brownfields; tax incentives (obtaining, selling, purchasing); remediation of contaminated sites; Planned Unit Developments (PUDs); removal of underground storage tanks; Superfund (state and federal); insurance claims; administrative procedures; solid and hazardous waste; landfills; composting; occupational safety and health; transportation; and land use. Ms. Gotthelf is general counsel to the Michigan Association of Metal Finishers and former general counsel to the Wayne County Brownfield Authority. She has represented the Wayne County Department of Environment on a broad variety of issues, including the wastewater treatment plant expansion, upgrade and compliance; wet weather; landfills; remediation; cost recovery; and ordinance amendments. Wayne County is the eleventh most populous county in the nation. She also represents Oakland County on matters concerning stormwater and wastewater. Ms. Gotthelf was very active in the State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Section, including serving as past Chair of the Section. She is Vice Chair of the American Bar Association ("ABA") Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law, Water Quality and Wetlands, and former Vice Chair of the Keystone Committee. She is past Chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association and is a past member of the State Bar Representative Assembly on behalf of Oakland County. Ms. Gotthelf serves on the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Committee for Transportation, and is past Chair of the Chamber's Task Force on Water and Sewer Issues. She is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. Ms. Gotthelf is Chair of the City of Birmingham (Michigan) Brownfield Authority. She is also past Co-Chair of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Legislative Action Committee. Ms. Gotthelf was on the Federal Advisory Committee charged with recommending stormwater rules and served as a Director of the Detroit Area Commercial Board of Realtors, which covers the State of Michigan. She serves as an arbitrator for the National Arbitration Forum. Ms. Gotthelf's charitable activities include serving as past President of the Board of Trustees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter; Chair of the Board of Trustees of Oakland Plus Foundation; Trustee of the Jewish Vocational Services; member of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, State Government Relations Oversight Committee; former member of the Board of Directors for the University Cancer Foundation; and member of the Seymour Gill Financial Women's Advisory Board. Ms. Gotthelf was selected as one of 20 influential leaders by Michigan Lawyers Weekly - Women in Law (2010). She was listed as one of the "Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers" by Michigan Super Lawyers (2006, 2007, 2008) and as one of the "Top 50 Female Michigan Super Lawyers" (2006 and 2008). She has received a number of awards and special recognitions, including as an emerging leader by the Detroit Regional Chamber (2003); the National Association of Metal Finishers (2002); Corp! Magazine as one of "Michigan's 95 Most Powerful Women" (2002); Corp! Magazine's "Top 10 Business Attorneys for Southeast Michigan" (1999); and Crain's Detroit Business' 40 emerging leaders under age 40 ("40 Under 40") (1994). Ms. Gotthelf has authored articles of national interest for the ABA on Proposed Wastewater Regulations and Underground Storage Tanks, and authored a public policy update on the Detroit wastewater ordinance amendments for Detroiter. National lectures include National Brownfields Conference (2008); Walsh College "FIN or Else: FIN 47" Seminar; Urban Land Use Planning (2007); COATING 2005 on "Doing Business in China"; the ABA Annual Meetings, Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law concerning general practice (2007) and water issues (2004 and 2002); "A Civil Reaction: Confronting Environment Problems in the New Millennium" (1997); "Annual Fundamentals of Real Estate Taxation" (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002); and at the National Association of Metal Finishers, "Federal Wastewater Pretreatment Issues." Experience · Represented a private equity investor in a complicated effort to purchase a major OEM's glass manufacturing operations in North America · Representation of companies undergoing a multimedia environmental investigation · Represented manufacturing company with respect to multimedia inspection by state and US EPA · Assisted manufacturing company in reopening after major fire · Assist with the purchasing, contracting, bonding, construction and permitting of two ethanol plants · Assisted client in purchasing, tax incentives and permits of alternative fuel, R&D facility · Environmental representation for a metal finishing company in connection with a release of hazardous chemicals · Advised bond insurer on various aspects of bond and environmental issues · Stock purchase of contaminated property · Negotiated an administrative order for a landfill client with the DNRE · Represent company in the sale of highly contaminated gas station · Obtained a judgment of approximately $24 million for DWSD and its rate payers · Defended against suit filed by MDEQ for alleged contamination of soils and groundwater · Obtained court order to allow access for remediation · Representation of manufacturer in remediation · Assist in purchasing tax credits for numerous transactions · Assisted numerous clients with international transactions involving environmental due diligence and permitting throughout South America, Asia and Europe. · Represented major manufacturer in negotiating complex remedial action plan. · Assisted Developer in obtaining a unique 2007 Wetland Permit · Represented the County in the transfer of sewer capacity · Represented healthcare client with the environmental issues · Assisting with PUD approval, condo documents, along with wetland, shoreland and sewer water permits for a 450-acre lakefront residential development · Represented a County against the City and the Water and Sewerage Dept. to challenge rates charges to users of the system · Working with a developer to obtain DEQ permit to fill wetlands and negotiating an agreement with a nearby conservancy · Prosecuted several cost recovery actions on behalf of clients seeking to recoup remediation costs against responsible parties. · Advised client concerning purchase, tax incentives and the remediation of a contaminated site to redevelop into residential units · Assisted in addressing regional transportation issues for client's move to downtown Detroit · Assisting with the construction, financing & permitting of ethanol plants in two northern Michigan locations · Representation of solid waste and recycling company in a variety of landfill compliance and contamination issues · Representation of a county in a variety of environmental issues · Defended several class action law suits against waste treatment & disposal clients alleging harm due to odors and other impact from respected facilities. · Various enforcement actions · Successfully represented industry group in negations to amend an ordinance regulating industrial discharges into one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the country. · Chaired Brownfield Authority for large suburban community · Settled a suit against a manufacturer and designer of pumps at a wastewater treatment plant · Convinced MDEQ to reverse its policy not to process permit applications for wastewater discharges · Represented several manufacturing home park clients in obtaining ground water discharge permits. · Conducted environmental due diligence for the purchase of a portable energy production facility · Defended client for a nuisance value for MDEQ claims · Successfully represented client in dispute with DEQ over wetland delineation for 50 acre development. · Creation of management authority for a regional wastewater plant · Various enforcement actions pursuant to Wayne County's air regulations against manufacturing companies · Defended against several claims of injury related to alleged mold exposure. · Representing companies in alleged criminal environmental conduct · Review and analyze environmental due diligence reports, and purcahse agreements on behalf of buyers, sellers, and lenders, and advise as to potential environmental liability and avaialble protections. · Represented numerous clients in obtaining, modifying and or transferring air permits. · Represented owner of land next to landfill due to methane gas migrating onsite · Financial lending for development of residential community · Reviewed various environmental due diligence and terms in sales agreements on behalf of bank and its borrowers. · Successfully prosecuted several contested case proceedings related to wetland permit denials. · Worked with client to obtain $1 million Single Business Tax Credit · Investigation of remedial contamination · Ongoing representation of numerous solid waste and recycling companies on a variety of landfill compliance & permitting issues. · Supervised environmental due diligence and remedial activities related to major multi-parcel development in major metropolitan downtown area. · Worked with client to obtain $1 million Single Business Tax Credit · Represent alternative energy company for tax incentives · Ongoing representation for numerous casino clients in a variety of OSHA issues · Construction of a combined sewer overflow basin at a former dump site. · Create the first wetland bank in Michigan · Represent client after it was "raided" by US EPA · Created Brownfield Authority for large metropolitan county and local municipalities, · Represent developer in the obtaining of a wastewater discharge permit from a manufactured home park · Assisted clients in obtaining permits and defending action in alleged disturbance of an endangered species (eagles). · Represented client in class action suit · Represented company in lawsuit for insurance coverage after environmental emergency · Represented energy company in development, land and equipment purchase · Numerous remediation projects · Defended against alleged wastewater discharge violations · Represented credit union in sale of contaminated property and cost recovery · Defend client in CERCLA cost recovery claim. · Defend Client in multiple class action and multi-party lawsuits that were filed in reaction to hydrochloric acid release at Client's property; pursue insurance coverage related to same. · Represent Client in lawsuit against travel agent for refund of the cost of trip. News Media Releases 11.28.11, 68 Butzel Long attorneys named to DBusiness magazine's Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit 2012 10.10.11, Butzel Long attorneys Beth S. Gotthelf and Susan L. Johnson featured during 2011 U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern Program Annual Meeting October 13-14 in Detroit 12.02.10, Sixty-four Butzel Long attorneys named to DBusiness magazine's Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit 2011 10.25.10, Forty-two Butzel Long attorneys named to the 2010 Michigan Super Lawyers list 08.26.10, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf is one of 20 attorneys to be honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly during the 2010 Michigan Women in the Law luncheon on September 16 06.25.10, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf to appear on Bloomfield Community Television's Practical Law show 05.20.10, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf co-chairs Jewish Vocational Services' Strictly Business event on June 15, 2010 04.13.10, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf featured during NASF 2010 Washington Forum 02.09.10, Butzel Long Israel Practice Continues Expansion 11.19.09, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf elected to Board of Trustees for Jewish Vocational Services 11.09.09, Forty-Nine Butzel Long attorneys named to Super Lawyers 2009 listing 10.08.09, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf to receive Oakland University Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award on November 7, 2009 05.07.09, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf featured at May 20 Institute of Continuing Legal Education seminar on environmental issues 04.20.09, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf featured at National Association for Surface Finishing Washington Forum on April 28 06.09.08, Butzel Long attorney Beth S. Gotthelf inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America 03.07.07, Beth S. Gotthelf featured ABA Environmental Law Workshop 01.29.07, Beth Gotthelf named Vice Chair of ABA Water Quality & Wetlands Committee News in brief 02.08.11, Butzel Long attorney co-chairs JVS annual fundraiser Publications Client alerts 12.08.11, Client Alert - Environmental - EPA Announces Changes to Boiler and Incinerator Air Pollution Standards 02.02.11, Client Alert - Environmental - Michigan Property Assessed Clean Energy Act 01.19.11, Client Alert: Environmental - Self-Implementing Cleanups and "No Further Action" Letters 01.18.11, Client Alert: Environmental - Green Chemistry Eligible to Receive Tax Credits 11.23.10, E-news: Environmental 03.22.10, E-news: Environmental 03.09.10, E-news: Environmental 02.16.10, E-news: Environmental 07.29.09, E-news: Environmental - 07/29/09 05.19.09, E-news: Environmental 05.01.09, Automation Alley Newsletter - May 2009 04.24.09, E-news: Environmental 02.24.09, E-news: Environmental 02.02.09, E-news: Environmental 02.01.09, Automation Alley Newsletter - February 2009 Memberships American Bar Association (ABA) - Vice Chair, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Water Quality and Wetlands Committee Vice-Chair, Teleconference Seminars Vice-Chair, 2010 Eastern Water Resources Conference Former Vice-Chair, Annual Keystone Environmental Conference State Bar of Michigan - past Chair, Environmental Law Section; past Section Council-person and Chair of Program Committee; Superfund, Solid and Hazardous Waste and Insurance State Bar of Michigan - past member Representative Assembly on behalf of Oakland County Oakland County Bar Association Jewish Vocational Services - Board of Trustees Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce - Translink Advisory Committee; past Chair, Task Force on Water and Sewer Issues Great Lakes Guardians - Chair, Board of Trustees Michigan Israel Business Bridge - Board of Directors Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) - past Co-Chair, legislative action committee Federal Advisory Committee Member - rulemaking Phase 2 stormwater rules Recognitions Michigan Lawyers Weekly - recognized as one of 20 Women in Law, 2010 DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Environmental Law; Energy Law; Government Relations Law, 2011-2012 Michigan Super Lawyers, Environmental, 2006-2011 2009 Oakland University Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Litigation Counsel of America - Fellow Michigan State Bar Foundation - Fellow Oakland County Bar Foundation- Fellow Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) Top 50 Female Michigan Super Lawyers (2006 and 2008) Detroit Regional Chamber - recognition as an emerging leader (2003) National Association of Metal Finishers (2002) Corp! Magazine - one of "Michigan's 95 Most Powerful Women" (2002) Corp! Magazine - "Top 10 Business Attorneys for Southeast Michigan" (1999) Crain's Detroit Business' 40 emerging leaders under age 40 ("40 Under 40") (1994) (Resident, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Office) |