Biography • Environment

James N Cahan has been practising environmental law for over 36 years, first in government and then for the majority of his career with Sidley. His practice focuses on Clean Air Act regulation, permitting of major energy and manufacturing projects, environmental crisis response and management, environmental aspects of bankruptcies and transactions and environmental management systems.

Mr Cahan has been advising clients on air pollution matters since he left the office of the general counsel, air division, USEPA, Washington, DC, where, between 1978 and 1982, he helped develop and defend national regulations and policies implementing the Clean Air Act. Most recently, he has been representing clients in the New Source Review area, both in the enforcement and permitting contexts. Mr Cahan has represented clients regarding hazardous air pollutants and MACT standards, including participating in rulemakings, petitions for review and enforcement actions under this programme. He has also helped clients obtain operating permits under Title V of the Clean Air Act and handled numerous air-related regulatory, permitting and enforcement matters.

Mr Cahan's practice also includes advising clients regarding the construction of new and expansion of existing major energy and manufacturing projects. He has helped clients through the site selection and review process, obtain the full range of environmental permits for such projects (including PSD air permits), and drafted and negotiated the environmental sections of project structure, finance and construction contracts.

Mr Cahan received his JD from Washington University School of Law in 1976 and his BA from Washington University in 1973. He is admitted in the District of Columbia and Illinois.