Joseph A. Rehberger
PARTNER
Olympia
Direct Line: (360) 786-5062
[email protected]
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Joe focuses his practice on complex environmental, natural resources, land use, and real estate litigation and advice. His clients include national and local businesses, local governments, individuals, and nonprofit groups. Joe is a managing partner of the firm.
Professional
Represent clients in disputes over liability for environmental cleanup costs and natural resource damages under federal and state Superfund laws, including negotiations with regulatory agencies over responsibility for investigating and remediating contaminated property and multiparty litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
Represent and advise clients on water rights transactions, regulations, and permitting process, including litigation of disputes before the Pollution Control Hearings Board and Washington courts.
Represent and advise clients in land use and shoreline permitting process, including challenges before local governments, hearing examiners, the Shoreline Hearings Board, Growth Management Hearings Board, and Washington courts.
Represent clients in disputes and litigation arising federal and state environmental laws, including greenhouse gas emission and climate change regulations, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) compliance.
Represent policyholders in disputes over coverage for environmental and property liabilities and claims under comprehensive general liability (CGL) policies, specialty environmental insurance products, and title insurance claims; state and federal court litigation of disputed insurance coverage issues, including claims for wrongful denial and bad faith.
Represent commercial and residential property owners in real property transactions, disputes, and litigation, including easement and access issues, boundary encroachments, local land use and zoning regulations, and nuisance claims.
Counsel pro bono for environmental and other advocacy and nonprofit groups asserting claims promoting or protecting the environment, combating homelessness, and other public interest causes.
Former law clerk to the Honorable Bobbe J. Bridge, Washington State Supreme Court.
Honors
Named a Super Lawyers® Rising Star (2012 – 2016) by Thomson Reuters.
Named one of Lawdragon's 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers in America (2021-2022)
Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law - Lawdragon (2023)
Bar Activities
Member, Washington State Bar Association, Idaho Bar Association, Thurston County Bar Association, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
Education
J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 2004 (with honors)
B.A., Willamette University, 1998 (English)
Bar Admissions
Washington
Idaho
