- OVERVIEW
- INSIGHTS
- NEWS & EVENTS
INDUSTRIES
- Admiralty and Maritime
- Agriculture & Food
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Mining and Natural Resources
- Pharmaceutical
- Ports
- Railroad
- Transportation
PRACTICES
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Education
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The George Washington University Law School,
J.D., with honors, 1985
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Tufts University,
B.A., magna cum laude, 1981
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Admissions
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Missouri
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Illinois
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District of Columbia
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Missouri USDC, Eastern District
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Missouri USDC, Western District
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Illinois USDC, Central District
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Illinois USDC, Southern District
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Kansas USDC
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US Ct Appeals, 7th Circuit (IL, IN, WI)
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Affiliations
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Environmental Health and Safety Leaders Network
Co-Organizer and Founder
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The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Environmental and Conservation Law Committee
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American Bar Association
Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law
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The Missouri Bar
Environmental & Energy Law Committee
Former Reviewer, Missouri Environmental Law, Missouri Bar Deskbook - Superfund Chapter
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Illinois State Bar Association
Section on Environmental Law
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Chemical Industry Council of Illinois
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Representative Clients
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ArcelorMittal USA, Inc.
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Arch Coal
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Barry-Wehmiller Group
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BNSF Railway Company
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
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Colas Inc./Delta Asphalt
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GAF Corporation & related entities
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Mallinckrodt Inc.
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QuikTrip Corporation
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Terminal Railroad of St. Louis
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US Bank, N.A.
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Waterway Gas & Wash Company
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Recognitions
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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)
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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)
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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
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Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2007-2024 (by BL Rankings)
Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation
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Named one of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers (by Lawdragon Inc.) 2023
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Ranked among the 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers (by Lawdragon Inc.)
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Inducted as a Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers, 2010
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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)
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Former Chairman, Environmental and Conservation Law Committee, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
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Employment
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Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 1994-Present;
Associate, 1985-1993
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Community
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Recipient of the National Award of Merit from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 2020
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Recipient of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, Inc. "Capture the Vision" Award, 2013
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American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate
Member, Board of Directors, 2002-2010
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American Heart Association, St. Louis Division
Chairman of the Board of Directors, 2000-2002
Member of Board of Director, 1996-2010
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Recipient of the Arthur E. Strauss Award, St. Louis Heart Association’s Highest Honor
2006
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Alumni Association Board-John Burroughs School
2004-2010
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Peter 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.
Thompson Coburn Publications
Do you need a Section 404 permit for your real estate development?
Top Region 7 attorney details EPA’s biggest enforcement, compliance priorities
Publications
"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
News
Chambers USA Recognizes Thompson Coburn Practices for Excellence in 2023 Guide
Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2022 Chambers USA
Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2021 Chambers USA
St. Louis Boys & Girls Club announces plans for youth golf facility at former Superfund site
Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2020 Chambers USA
Congratulations to our 14 ‘Lawyers of the Year’ for 2020
17 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2019 Chambers USA
Peter Strassner talks to Best Lawyers about Thompson Coburn’s environmental practice
Thompson Coburn’s Environmental practice group celebrates top rankings
Congratulations to our 14 ‘Lawyers of the Year’ for 2019
U.S. News & World Report names Thompson Coburn as best for railroad law
23 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2016 Chambers USA
Cleaning up a toxic site for the Boys & Girls Club
25 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2015 Chambers USA
Congratulations to our 15 St. Louis ‘Lawyers of the Year’
St. Louis Business Journal covers Thompson Coburn’s work on unique Superfund settlement
Chemical Safety Board investigator shares insights from two high-profile environmental incidents
27 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2014 Chambers USA
EPA, Boys & Girls Club announce $30 million cleanup of Superfund site
More than 50 attorneys named to 2012 Missouri Bar Pro Bono Hall of Fame
19 Thompson Coburn partners named 2013 St. Louis Lawyers of the Year
Thompson Coburn wins Illinois Supreme Court victory for ExxonMobil Coal
Peter Strassner named St. Louis Environmental Lawyer of the Year