Region 5 - Office of Regional Counsel

The Office of Regional Counsel (ORC) provides legal advice to the Regional Administrator and other senior managers of Region 5 on all matters relating to their official responsibilities. Region 5 encompasses the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. ORC is attached to both the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and the Office of General Counsel (OGC) in U.S. EPA's Headquarters Office located in Washington, D.C.

In particular, the Regional Counsel and his staff represent the Region in judicial and administrative enforcement actions against regulated entities within the jurisdiction of Region 5.  Region 5 ORC employs approximately 110 attorneys. In judicial actions, ORC attorneys share responsibility with attorneys from OECA and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), the latter of which represents U.S. EPA in a federal district court. In all enforcement cases, ORC attorneys work closely with other Federal departments and agencies, State and local officials, and industrial and public interest groups.

ORC is also responsible for the defense of Regional officials for actions taken pursuant to their responsibilities under the statutes and regulations governing their programs. In these actions, ORC attorneys work with OGC and DOJ in litigating and negotiating these cases.

ORC is divided into two "multi-media" branches, both of which are equally responsible for all enforcement, defense and legal counsel activities arising under the federal environmental laws. These laws include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Hazardous Substances and Waste Act (HSWA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or "Superfund"), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). One or both of the branches also maintains primary responsibility for the Region's various Special Initiatives, and for other non-media specific matters, such as matters involving the Great Lakes, Native American Law, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

For more information about specific legal issues, please consult our expert lists. You may also wish to view the ORC staff directory. For all other comments or inquiries, please use our contact form.