Brian Chustz’s primary practice area is Environmental Law. He relies on his past career experience as an environmental consultant to represent industrial, oil and gas and individual clients in state and federal environmental regulatory permitting and litigation matters.

Representative Experience:

• Assisted an oil and gas exploration and production company in obtaining approval for a site evaluation/remediation plan in accordance with Louisiana Office of Conservation Statewide Order 29-B;
• Negotiated an “after-the-fact” permit and settlement of a cease and desist order from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a commercial client pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act;
• Provided regulatory oversight during the evaluation/remediation of an oil and gas well blow-out to ensure regulatory compliance;
• Obtained abandonment approval for an intrastate natural gas pipeline company from the Louisiana Office of Conservation Pipeline Division;
• Counseled intrastate pipeline company regarding OSHA and Clean Air Act regulatory compliance;
• Represented clients in litigation matters under the Louisiana Environmental Quality Act.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Chustz worked as an Environmental Scientist and Project Manager for an international engineering and environmental consulting firm. As an Environmental Professional, Mr. Chustz specialized in a wide range of environmental sectors including: commercial and industrial site assessments; surface water, groundwater and subsurface soil investigations at commercial, industrial and petrochemical facilities; development of risk-based remediation plans in accordance with Louisiana regulatory requirements; preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for commercial and governmental projects; and acquisition of state and federal permits for industrial construction, oil and gas exploration and interstate pipeline operations. Mr. Chustz has also completed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 40-Hour Wetland Delineation Training and is experienced in the Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland permitting process.

Prior to pursuing his Bachelor’s degree, Mr. Chustz served four years in the U.S. Navy as an avionics technician aboard the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Chustz received several awards and honors including the Excellent Academic Performance Award from the U.S. Naval Training Command and the “Class Honor Man” Award from the U.S. Naval Air Station, Pensacola.

Mr. Chustz is admitted to practice in all Louisiana State and federal courts, as well as the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Publications/Articles:

• “Louisiana’s New Surface Water Use Permitting Process,” Louisiana Bar Journal, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 196 -198, (October/November 2010).
• “On the Horizon: The Government’s Inevitable Response to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill and Its Affect on Industry,” Pelican Chapter, Association of Builders and Contractors, Inc., (July 2010).