MELISSA S.
BROWN

Practice Description

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Melissa S. Brown focuses her practice on environmental law, including assisting clients with environmental compliance questions involving federal and state environmental statutes and regulations, as well as assisting clients in permitting, rulemaking, and enforcement matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

In 2016, Ms. Brown became an associate of HeplerBroom when the practice of Hodge, Dwyer & Driver was merged into that firm, enhancing her ability to represent her clients.

Professional/Bar Associations

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• Illinois State Bar Association
• Sangamon County Bar Association

Awards, Honors & Distinctions

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• Best Lawyers' list of “Ones to Watch” (2021-2022)

Law School Honors/Involvement

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• DePaul Journal of Art, Technology, and Intellectual Property
  • Technical Productions Editor
• Environmental Law Society
  • Treasurer
• Dean’s Certificate of Pro Bono Service
• Dean’s List

Published Legal Writing

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External Publications

• “PFAS Investigations at Manufacturing Facilities and Industrial Sites in Illinois,” The Illinois Manufacturer (Fourth Quarter 2021). (Co-author) (This article can be read here.)
• “Update on the Respirable Crystalline Silica General Industry and Maritime Standard,” Energy and Environment Blog, Illinois Manufacturers’’ Association (July 2018).
• “U.S. EPA Amends the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule,” The Illinois Manufacturer (Winter 2018). (Co-author with HeplerBroom Partner Jennifer M. Martin) (This article can be read here.)
• “How Will OSHA’s Crystalline Silica Rule Affect Construction and General Industry Employers?” The Illinois Manufacturer (Spring 2017). (Co-author with HeplerBroom Partner Jennifer M. Martin) (This article can be read here.)
• “How Will OSHA’s Crystalline Silica Rule Affect Construction and General Industry Employers?” The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, FDCC Blog (January 2017). (Co-author with HeplerBroom Partner Jennifer M. Martin)
• Case Summary, In Re Beineke, 690 F.3d 1344 (Fed. Cir. 2012), 23 DePaul J. Art, Tech. & Intell. Prop. L. 511 (2013)

HeplerBroom Blog Posts

• “Use of National Databases to Determine Reasonableness of Charges for Medical Services,” (September 1, 2010). (This blog post can be read here.)
• “USEPA Announces Revised Interpretation of “Begin Actual Construction” under New Source Review Regulations,” (May 18, 2020). (This blog post can be read here.)
• “USEPA Seeks to Add PFAS to List Of Toxic Chemicals,” (December 6, 2019). (This blog post can be read here.)
• “Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Pollution Control Board’s Decision Regarding Groundwater Monitoring at Clean Construction or Demolition Debris Fill Operations,” (July 30, 2019). (This blog post can be read here.)
• “Update on the Respirable Crystalline Silica General Industry and Maritime Standard,” (June 28, 2018). (This blog post can be read here.)

Legal Lectures & Presentations

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• “Environmental Violations and Enforcement,” and “Illinois EPA Bureau of Land Update,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education webinar (2021). (Co-presenter)
• “Environmental Enforcement: Avoid if Possible, Navigate if Necessary,” Environmental Basics Conference sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Springfield IL, 2019). (Co-presenter)
• “Coal Ash Update: What It Is, Where It Is, and What To Do About It,” Illinois State Bar Association’s 18th Annual Environmental Law Conference (Chicago, 2019). (Co-presenter)