David J. Topping
Partner
David J. Topping is an environmental lawyer who helps clients navigate complex transactions, major project development and regulatory compliance. He leads the firm’s environmental work in these areas and advises clients nationwide across industries including private equity, industrials, petrochemical, transportation, marine, power generation and real estate.
On the transactional side, David guides clients through all phases of a deal, from letter of intent through operation, with a particular emphasis on high‑value acquisitions and divestitures, lender support, and the acquisition of brownfield and distressed properties. He counsels clients on environmental diligence, permitting considerations, contract drafting and negotiation, liability defenses, remediation planning and incentive programs, and regulatory reporting obligations. His approach is tailored to the operational realities of industrial and commercial businesses.
David also serves as the firm’s environmental lead for major projects across several industries. He advises clients throughout the project life cycle, from pre‑construction planning through operation. He oversees environmental diligence and review, permitting and regulatory strategy for large‑scale infrastructure projects, brownfield and greenfield developments, natural gas and solar energy facilities, and complex real estate developments.
In his regulatory practice, David counsels clients on compliance with state and federal environmental laws, including permitting, reporting and enforcement matters. Clients seek his guidance on issues such as compliance orders, civil penalties, hazardous waste management, PFAS regulation and CERCLA/Superfund matters. He also oversees environmental audits and remediation efforts at industrial sites nationwide and helps clients anticipate and respond to evolving environmental laws and regulatory priorities.
Experience
Transactional and Project Development
- Advised a prominent technology company in the development of its over $30 billion data center and supporting facilities in Louisiana, acting as lead outside counsel on environmental diligence, permitting and other matters.
- Conducted environmental due diligence of Louisiana enforcement and permitting matters and drafted opinion memorandum in support of client’s multibillion-dollar limited-stake acquisition in liquefied natural gas terminal and related facilities.
- Advised multinational plastics, chemicals and refining company as local environmental and regulatory counsel in its $2 billion acquisition of certain Louisiana assets, including creation of joint venture with myriad complicated permitting issues.
- Advised major energy infrastructure company as local environmental counsel in its $3.5 billion limited stake investment in a Louisiana liquefied natural gas project, pipeline and supporting facilities.
- Advised leading energy provider as local environmental counsel in its $1.2 billion sale of assets to private equity firm, involving around 12,000 miles of main pipeline in Louisiana and Mississippi.
- Directed environmental counsel to support private equity group’s acquisition and divestiture of industrial companies nationwide, including chemical manufacturer with facilities in Texas and Alabama, petrochemical services provider and related facility in Texas, and others.
- Led environmental diligence, assessed local and federal permitting issues and rendered lender opinion letter to support major infrastructure developer’s build of a $750 million, 700-megawatt natural gas generating station in Louisiana.