Zach Wright

Experience

• Represented multiple clients in state and federal agency actions and private disputes regarding liability for contamination under CERCLA/Superfund, including PFAS contamination.
• Defended an international construction company against a claim under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act that sought to immediately halt the company's ongoing multimillion dollar housing development project. Demonstrated no violation nor harm to the environment had occurred, thereby securing dismissal of the case at the pleadings stage with zero interruption to the project.
• Appeared before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on behalf of an industry stakeholder in a proceeding involving development and ratemaking issues, arguing in favor of various decision options to ensure the opportunity for continued growth in that business sector. The final agency conclusion aligned with several of those desired outcomes.
• Represented a local business in a Minnesota Environmental Rights Act dispute, successfully achieving a result that both preserved the historical resource in question and allowed the client to continue its business endeavors uninterrupted.
• Defended a Class I railroad in a property dispute in federal court that threatened to significantly disrupt one of its service lines. The team prevailed on a motion to dismiss the complaint, conclusively establishing the client’s ownership of the property in question.
• Represented a local owner of historic property in a dispute with their local government under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act, successfully altering the local government's construction practices to protect and preserve the historic resource.
• Represented an international business in connection with federal case and subsequent appeal and appeared on behalf of the same before state administrative body, ultimately obtaining a favorable settlement with all claims against the business dismissed without an admission of liability.
• Represented a national organization in an emergency dispute with a municipality over certain local permitting requirements for a planned event. Faced with impending litigation, and while acknowledging the likelihood of the organization prevailing in the same, the municipality agreed to the resolution proposed by the organization.
• Represented a renewable energy developer before a local permitting board and interested public participants. After discussion and questions, the board issued the required local permit for project.
• Represented landowners in a local zoning and development matter before town board. The board issued a decision consistent with a letter submitted on behalf of the landowners.  

Recognitions

Professional & Civic Activities