Lawyer Bio : Lori Privette Hinnant

Lori Hinnant's practice encompasses a broad spectrum of regulatory law and administrative litigation. Through her broad regulatory experience, she can provide a wide range of services to a variety of clients, including manufacturing facilities, utility companies, mining, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, agribusiness and financial and health care institutions. Hinnant's practice ranges from conducting environmental due diligence investigations for multi-million dollar mergers and obtaining construction and operating permits to compliance counseling and representation in enforcement matters. Specifically, her experience includes:

• Permitting: Negotiates terms and provides compliance counseling for construction and operating permits under the Clean Air Act (Title V, synthetic minor, PSD), Clean Water Act (NPDES, stormwater), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, wetlands and other permits. Lori has also represented permittees in challenges to permit terms and conditions and defended permittees in third party claims and citizen suits. Lori has also represented clients in significant enforcement matters for permit violations and has recently successfully negotiated Special Orders on Consent with the North Carolina Division of Air Quality and the North Carolina Division of Water Quality.
• Administrative/Regulatory: Handles regulatory compliance issues involving the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act (NPDES permits, total maximum daily load (TMDL) regulations), CERCLA (responding to notice letters), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); and Community Right-to-Know. Advises clients with regard to the requirements and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and triggers of such acts, including receipt of certain governmental incentives.
• Legislation/Rulemaking: Drafts significant North Carolina environmental legislation and the implementing rules. Lori has recently represented an energy client in the development of and challenge to North Carolina's State Implementation Plan for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Lori is working with an early action compact in developing control measures to achieve the 8-hour ozone standard.
• Real Estate Development: Works closely with developers, contractors and financial institutions in evaluating environmental issues and resolving impediments to construction, including permitting, remediation, exposure to contaminants (asbestos, mold) and wetlands issues. Lori currently represents a developer in evaluating environmental issues in the redevelopment of 200 acres of former industrial land for a life sciences and technology-led research park in a mixed use environment. Lori has extensive experience in the eligibility/designation of Brownfield properties and negotiation of Brownfields Agreements, including transfers of such agreements.
• Remediation: Works with state and federal regulators and technical consultants on a daily basis. She is an effective advocate, advisor and negotiator with regard to remediation issues. Lori has personal relationships with agency personnel in every division of North Carolina DENR, as well as numerous contacts with agency personnel in other states. Her knowledge of the regulatory programs as well as agency contacts coupled with her knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of environmental consulting firms, provide the required formula in the selection, retention, and contracting with consultants, consideration of remedial alternatives and negotiation with agencies. Lori has represented clients in remediating sites under the various programs within the North Carolina Division of Waste Management (Underground Storage Tank Section, Hazardous Waste Section, and Superfund Section) and Division of Water Quality. She has worked on with Regions III and IV on federal cleanups under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA or Superfund), having served on technical, executive and allocation committees.
• Auditing and Compliance Programs: Assists clients in the design of self-auditing programs and assessing compliance with applicable federal, state and local environmental health and safety laws. Lori also evaluates auditing recommendations and analyzes potential disclosure/reporting requirements. Lori has experience in the application of states' self-disclosure policies as well as those of EPA Regions III and IV. Lori's auditing experience also includes "due diligence" inquiries into the environmental liabilities and compliance of companies through stock or asset acquisitions and drafting related contractual documents.
• Agribusiness: Represents agricultural interests in rulemaking, regulatory compliance and environmental litigation. Lori is currently representing one of the largest egg producers in the construction issues relating to a new facility in North Carolina in light of the new federal CAFO rule.
• Economic Development: Participates in and is a member of the North Carolina Economic Development Association. Lori is also a member of Womble Carlyle's economic development team, which advises clients in the area of state, county and city economic development incentives such as tax credits, cash grants and infrastructure improvements.