Hunton & Williams LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of its environmental practice with the addition of former energy and chemical company lawyer Daniel J. Grucza as counsel in Atlanta.

“With his unique background and experience in safety, and particularly process safety, Dan is a great addition to the environmental practice,” said Eric Murdock, head of the firm’s administrative law team. “With increased focus at the federal and state level on process safety and chemical safety across industries, Dan will be a terrific resource for many of our clients.”

Grucza brings 30 years of experience in the complex chemical manufacturing, foundry, mining and coking industries. He previously was senior counsel and vice president of a major energy company, and has provided legal support for mines, gas operations, foundries, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers in the United States, Canada, Europe and China.

While seconded to a leading oil company, Grucza was responsible for implementing new regulations and managing incident
response. He has also served as a corporate compliance officer, responsible for developing compliance programs, conducting training, conducting due diligence and responding to hotline complaints.

Possessing a strong chemical technical background, Grucza also previously served as an environmental, health and safety manager for one of the world's largest chemical companies, where he had responsibility for EHS compliance, process safety management, risk management, security, wastewater treatment operations, and related matters. He has advised clients in the OSHA Process Safety Management and EPA’s Section 112(r) Risk Management Program applicability determination, program development, implementation and compliance. He also has defended clients in OSHA enforcement actions throughout the inspection, closing conference, citation and abatement actions.

Companies in the energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, and utility sectors have relied on Hunton & Williams to represent them in cutting-edge environmental issues for decades. The firm’s environmental practice includes more than 50 lawyers devoted to air, water, natural resources, waste, oil, gas, pipeline, and other matters. Clients are represented at all stages of environmental issues, from initial legislative and policy development and court challenges to regulations, through implementation, permitting, compliance, and enforcement. The practice has been named among Law360’s Environmental Practice Groups of the Year for eight consecutive years and was named the 2017 Environment Law Firm of the Year by Chambers and Partners.