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Cynthia A. Faur / Partner
Professional Experience
Cynthia Faur practices in the area of environmental law. In her practice, she has advised clients in all aspects of environmental regulation, including solid and hazardous waste regulation, clean water issues, endangered species issues and Superfund. Ms. Faur has substantial experience in advising clients on all facets of the Clean Air Act, including permitting, New Source Performance Standards, hazardous air pollutants, mobile sources, fuel additives and ozone depleting substances. She also advises clients on a variety of climate change and sustainability issues, including the regulation and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently, Ms. Faur served as the Confidential Senior Policy Advisor to the Regional Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5. Her recent experience includes:
  • Participating in the development and implementation of the Region 5 Framework for Addressing Climate Change and Clean Energy, a multi-media approach to encourage greenhouse gas emission reductions in the Great Lakes region.

  • Contributing to the Midwestern Governors' Association' Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform for the Midwest and the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord, as a member of the Carbon Markets Workgroup.

  • Advising clients, including power generation and wind power companies, on air quality, noise, zoning, and endangered species issues related to the siting of new facilities.

  • Negotiating Nonattainment New Source Review (NSR), Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), and Title V permits for numerous clients throughout the United States.

  • Successfully negotiating a major Clean Air Act settlement on behalf of a client which was part of U.S. EPA's initiative against power plants. This settlement not only resolved all potential past violations of the federal NSR and PSD rules but also provided a future resolution of certain claims concerning those permitting rules.

  • Participating in the development of the environmental plan included in Chicago 2016's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Education and Honors
  • University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1993)
  • University of Michigan (B.A., high distinction, 1989)
    Phi Beta Kappa.
Bar Admissions
Illinois, 1993

Professional Recognition

Leading Lawyers Network (Member).

Professional and Civic Activities

American Bar Association (Member, Environment, Energy and Resources Law Section).

Illinois State Bar (Member).

Selected Presentations/Publications
  • Quoted, “Environmental Issues GCs Must Have on Their Radar,” Inside Counsel, April 2011.

  • Quoted, “Melt Down: The Winds of Change Buffet Climate Change Policy,” Inside Counsel, April 2010.

  • “Climate Change Policy and Regulation: Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Initiatives,” Federation of Environmental Technologists presentation, October 20, 2009.

  • Co-author, “It’s Not Easy Marketing Your Products Green,” Executive View, September 8, 2009.

  • Contributed to article “Quarles Launches Clean Energy, Climate Group,” published in LAW 360.

  • “Comments of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company on the Proposed Emission Market System for Northeastern Illinois,” published in Market-Based Approaches to Environmental Policy.

  • Co-author, “Can Emissions Trading Work Beyond a National Program? Some Practical Observations on the Available Tools,” published in the University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Economic Law.

  • Co-author, “Audit Privilege and Immunity,” published in the Second Edition of the American Bar Association publication, Environmental Aspects of Real Estate Transactions.

  • Co-author, “The United States Environmental System: an Evolution in Federal vs. Local Control,” written for the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, Task Force on Environmental Governance, published as an occasional paper at Tsinghua University’s School of Public Policy and Management.