Peter R. Knight focuses on litigation, defense of agency enforcement actions, and regulatory matters. He regularly assists clients with private cost recovery and complex multiparty Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CERCLA cases, as well as environmental remediation projects. He also represents a variety of coastal and maritime interests in connection with large vessel casualties, oil spills and emergency response, criminal enforcement, and counseling on US Coast Guard regulatory matters.
Environmental Litigation + Enforcement
Peter has represented clients in complex environmental litigation matters across the United States. These claims typically are brought under a variety of federal and state statutes, including CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. He has represented Fortune 500 companies in connection with the defense and prosecution of CERCLA cost recovery and contribution claims, including claims brought against the United States in connection with historical wartime operations. Peter's experience defending agency enforcement matters includes civil and criminal enforcement actions involving both land-based facilities and commercial shipping interests. A number of his maritime matters have involved major vessel casualties, including open water and coastal oil spills as well as container ship fires and explosions. His class action experience includes environmental and toxic tort matters, as well as consumer products and false labeling cases.
Environmental Counseling
Peter represents and manages the interests of large and small Potentially Responsible Parties at a number of Superfund sites across the country. He has both negotiated settlements and managed multiparty cases to resolution. He regularly works with clients on all manner of environmental legacy issues involving indemnity claims, historical liabilities, and remediation obligations. Peter also has advised companies on developing and implementing corporate compliance programs and environmental management systems.
Government Investigations
Peter represents companies and individuals in a variety of government investigations involving environmental and maritime matters. In these cases, which have spanned jurisdictions across the country, he typically works with the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice. Many of Peter's maritime matters have involved Coast Guard investigations and U.S. prosecution of claimed oil dumping by commercial shipping companies.
Pro Bono
Peter is a past chair of our firm’s Pro Bono Committee. His own pro bono efforts focus on representing children in neglect and abuse cases through the firm’s long-standing relationship with Lawyers for Children America (LFCA). Based on his many years of service to LFCA, the Connecticut Bar Association honored him with its Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award in 2016. Peter was also part of a team of firm attorneys involved in a pro bono project to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking in Namibia, Myanmar, and Laos by strengthening the country’s legislative framework.
Peter has written and presented on a number of topics related to environmental enforcement, environmental regulation of commercial shipping, environmental disclosures, and climate change litigation.
