Chuck Knauss

Practice Areas

Chuck Knauss has served US manufacturing and energy sectors for over 30 years as a national leader on laws and policies relating to climate, air quality, environmental, and safety. Chuck represents companies and trade associations on environmental social and governance (ESG) issues, permitting, enforcement, rulemaking, litigation, commercial, and legislative matters. Chuck is also co-leading the Environmental Justice Committee of the Law Firm Anti-Racism Alliance. His clients appreciate his skill in navigating complex regulations, high-stakes crises, negotiations, and precedent-setting litigation. He provides strategic advice for negotiated settlements with governmental regulatory and enforcement authorities and other stakeholders, which include those in the environmental justice and climate justice communities. His negotiation approach grounds legal and policy arguments on sound analysis of technical and engineering facts, which he couples with a fair and principled recognition of the core goals of all parties. These proceedings involve greenhouse gas emissions, air toxics, climate public nuisance and land loss litigation, investigations, and enforcement. Chuck was a lead congressional negotiator for the landmark 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and “probably the most influential Republican on the legislation” according to Richard Cohen’s book, "Washington at Work: Back Rooms and Clean Air." For more information, view his bio at https://www.huntonak.com/en/people/charles-knauss.html.