Legal Assistance

Great Rivers Environmental Law Center has specific criteria for matter selection based on capacity, legal strategy, and impact potential. Our goal is to maximize public benefit by prioritizing cases with broad environmental and/or public health impacts. We use the law to safeguard natural resources, fight environmental injustice, and hold polluters and government agencies accountable. Below is a breakdown of what cases we may consider taking. Note that this list is not exhaustive and each matter is reviewed thoroughly by Great Rivers Environmental Law Center staff and experts for consideration.

Matters we may consider

  • Environmental Justice – Representing communities disproportionately affected by pollution, industrial activities, and environmental racism.
  • Clean Air & Water Protections – Challenging permits, regulations, and actions that weaken air and water quality standards.
  • Land Use & Conservation – Fighting against improper land development and habitat destruction.
  • Climate & Energy – Advocating for clean energy policies, opposing fossil fuel expansions, and ensuring proper regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Citizen Participation & Government Transparency – Ensuring the public has a voice in environmental decision-making and that agencies comply with environmental laws.
  • Pollution – Holding corporations accountable for spills, illegal waste disposal, and contamination of soil and water.
  • Opposition to Industrial Agriculture & Factory Farms – Challenging permits for large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) that pollute air and water.
  • Defending Environmental Laws – Litigating to protect and strengthen core environmental statutes with an emphasis at the state level.

Other Considerations

As a small (but mighty) nonprofit, we must carefully consider our capacity and available resources. We also collaborate closely with environmental nonprofits and community groups to identify the most pressing issues. In some cases, we may decline a matter if it does not align with our strategic goals or where other organizations may be better positioned to take the lead.

 

If you have an environmental or public health concern that aligns with our work and would like to explore legal options, we encourage you to reach out. Please call our office at 314-231-4181 or submit your inquiry by email. Due to capacity limitations, we kindly ask for at least two weeks to review your request.

 

Please note that the use of the Internet or this website for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship.