Professional Experience
Joe Drazek’s practice focuses on regulatory and litigation matters within the Firm’s Environmental Group and spans a variety of industries including manufacturers, mining companies, high technology companies, financial institutions, industrial laundry services, environmental testing laboratories, water companies and real estate developers. Mr. Drazek’s experience includes:
- Representation of clients in state and federal Superfund sites.
- Represented developer of large master planned community in connection with the siting of a 500kV transmission line.
- Counseled manufacturing clients on hazardous and solid waste issues.
- Represented steel manufacturing company in state enforcement action of clean air act and water quality violations.
- Represented environmental testing laboratory in state license revocation action.
- Represented national retailer in lease of contaminated property.
- Represented real estate developer in connection with waste water disposal issues.
- Represented clients on underground storage tank removal and clean-ups.
- Represented real estate developers in development of contaminated properties.
- Represented school districts in connection with asbestos removal issues.
- Represented municipality in connection with environmental group's appeal of aquifer protection permit for a wastewater treatment plant.
- Represented mining company in state enforcement action concerning violations of aquifer protection permit.
- Represented mining company in lawsuit by private landowner for off-site releases of contaminants.
- Advised clients regarding environmental and regulatory issues relating to the construction and operation of renewable energy projects.
Education and Honors
- DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 1981)
- University of Chicago (M.S., 1978)
- University of Michigan (B.S., 1976)
Bar Admissions
California,
1985
Arizona,
1988
Illinois (inactive),
1981
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1988
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, 1988
U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1986
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1982
Professional Recognition
Martindale-Hubbell AV
® Peer Review Rated.
Listed in
The Best Lawyers in America® (2008-present: Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law).
Listed in
Chambers USA® (2009-present: Environmental).
Professional and Civic Activities
- State Bar of Arizona (Member; Former Chair, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section).
- Phoenix Environmental Quality Commission (Member).
- Maricopa County Bar Association (Member).
- American Bar Association (Member, Natural Resources and Administrative Law Sections).
- State Bar of California (Member, Natural Resources Subsection).
- State Bar of Illinois (Member).
- Maricopa Association of Governments (Former Member, Air Quality Policy Committee).