Sarah K. Walls

Cantey Hanger LLP, Dallas/Ft. Worth, USA

Sarah Walls is a partner with the law firm of Cantey & Hanger, L.L.P., with offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, Southlake, and Austin, Texas.  She is head of Cantey & Hanger's Environmental Law and Litigation Group.  She has more than 29 years of experience and has credibility and strong contacts with federal, state, and local judges and environmental enforcement agencies.  Ms. Walls specializes in the fields of environmental law and internal investigations.  Her experience includes:

                        Defense of clients in enforcement proceedings brought by EPA, OSHA, TCEQ, and other state and federal agencies; negotiation of penalties, supplemental environmental projects, and Agreed Orders.

                        Permitting and compliance matters.   

                       Defense of corporations and executives against federal charges of criminal violations of environmental laws.

                       Representation of sellers and buyers in numerous complex acquisitions and divestitures.

                       Design and supervision of environmental and safety audits protected by the attorney-client privilege.

                        Design of environmental management systems.

                        Emergency planning and crisis management.

                       CERCLA, toxic tort, and other environmental litigation in state and federal courts.

                       Supervision of multiple soil and groundwater remediation projects, often acting as client's project manager in selection, hiring, and management of contractors.

                       Negotiation of cleanup standards and effluent limits.

                       Internal investigations.

Since graduating from Harvard Law School, Ms. Walls has practiced law with several law firms and has served as the legal officer in charge of all environmental and safety matters for two major corporations.  She has served as Chair of the Environmental, Health, and Safety Committee of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, and on its Board. Ms. Walls was appointed by Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock to the Texas Small Business Assistance Panel, and recently was appointed to EPA's National Compliance Advisory Panel.  She has served as Chair of the Environmental Law Section of the Tarrant County Bar Association several times, and was Co-Chair of the Fort Worth Small Business Advisory Committee. She has served on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Texas Environmental and Natural Resources Section.  She is Chair of the Environmental Committee of the Tarrant County Chapter of The Texas Association of Business.

Her recent awards include the YWCA Tribute to Women in Business, the Fort Worth Business Press "Who's Who in Business,"  "Tarrant County's Elite 100," and "Women of Influence Awards."  She is featured in "Best Lawyers in America," and has been named as an "Attorney of Excellence in Texas," and a Texas Superlawyer® for several years.  She speaks frequently to environmental professionals and attorneys.

EDUCATION

J.D., Harvard Law School

                                                           B.A., Emory University

                                                                   Valedictorian

                                                                Phi Beta Kappa

                                                        Webb School of Knoxville

                                                                   Valedictorian