Peter Strassner is an environmental attorney who helps companies respond to major environmental incidents, navigate regulatory actions and successfully resolve civil and criminal litigation and other disputes. He led Thompson Coburn’s environmental group from 2002-2022.
On six separate occasions, The Best Lawyers in America® (by BL Rankings) has named Peter the Lawyer of the Year in St. Louis for Environmental Law (2012, 2015, 2019) or Environmental Litigation (2013, 2020, 2022).
Peter draws on 30 years of environmental law experience to pursue unique and highly effective strategies that resolve environmental issues. Peter has developed solutions for clients that have dramatically reduced cleanup costs or liability, resulted in successful “no action required” determinations, and allowed for the closure or sale of previously contaminated sites. Frequently Peter’s contributions have enabled a company to favorably resolve expensive litigation or put an end to decades of costly and ineffective environmental cleanups.
With first-hand experience on many of the most significant environmental incidents to occur in the Midwest over the last three decades, Peter counsels some of the country’s leading companies in environmental matters. He has represented and litigated successfully on behalf of transportation concerns, mining companies, agribusinesses, chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, developers and energy companies.
Peter’s broad national practice includes work on CERCLA cost recovery and contribution litigation, insurance coverage litigation and a wide variety of regulatory and compliance matters. He has worked on issues related to wetlands, groundwater issues, Superfund sites and brownfields.
In each matter and for each client, Peter applies dedication and creativity, and works to solve problems and craft solutions that align with his client’s ultimate business objectives.
Professional
- Environmental Health and Safety Leaders Network, Co-Organizer and Founder
- The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Environmental and Conservation Law Committee
- American Bar Association, Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law
- The Missouri Bar, Environmental & Energy Law Committee; Former Reviewer, Missouri Environmental Law; Missouri Bar Deskbook – Superfund Chapter
- Illinois State Bar Association, Section on Environmental Law
- Chemical Industry Council of Illinois
Community
- Recipient of the National Award of Merit from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 2020
- Recipient of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, Inc. “Capture the Vision” Award, 2013
- American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate
- Member, Board of Directors, 2002-2010
- American Heart Association, St. Louis Division
- Chairman of the Board of Directors, 2000-2002
- Member of Board of Director, 1996-2010
- Recipient of the Arthur E. Strauss Award, St. Louis Heart Association’s Highest Honor
- 2006
- Alumni Association Board-John Burroughs School
- 2004-2010
- Named Lawyer of the Year for Litigation-Environmental in St. Louis by The Best Lawyers in America® for 2013, 2020 and 2022 (by BL Rankings)
- Named Lawyer of the Year for Environmental Law in St. Louis by The Best Lawyers in America® for 2012, 2015 and 2019 (by BL Rankings)
- Recognized by Chambers USA, 2014-2023 (by Chambers & Partners), Ranked Band 1; Says one source: “He can manage litigation, he can do a deal, he can solve a problem,” 2017
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2007-2025 (by BL Rankings), Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation
- Named one of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers (by Lawdragon Inc.) 2023
- Ranked among the 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers (by Lawdragon Inc.)
- Inducted as a Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers, 2010
- Listed in Super Lawyers Missouri and Kansas Edition, 2005-2020 (by Thomson Reuters) – Recognized for Environmental Litigation; Named on multiple occasions as one of the top 50 lawyers in St. Louis (2006, 2008-2009, 2011-2013) and one of the top 100 attorneys in Missouri and Kansas (2009-2010)
- Former Chairman, Environmental and Conservation Law Committee, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- “Do you need a Section 404 permit for your real estate development?”
September 2016 - “Cleaning the Carter Carburetor site to transform a neighborhood”
St. Louis Business Journal, August 2014 - “Chemical Safety Board investigator outlines discoveries from West Fertilizer, Charleston water incidents”
July 2014 - “Top Region 7 attorney details EPA’s biggest enforcement, compliance priorities”
June 2014