Overview
"Environmental issues can seem scary, but they don’t have to be. I truly enjoy serving as a counselor for clients and I take great satisfaction in providing practical and cost-effective solutions."
Lisa (Goodwin) Ivins loves using her analytical skills to provide practical solutions when environmental or general real estate issues arise. She recognizes that a clear understanding of her clients' short- and long-term goals is essential for ensuring they are protected from liability and can reach their business objectives. With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa guides clients through environmental regulatory and compliance matters, advising on all aspects of real estate transactions, evaluating environmental assessments of property, managing due diligence investigations, negotiating brownfields redevelopment projects, and counseling buyers, sellers, and lenders regarding potential environmental risks and mitigation.
Lisa assists clients with all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including leasing, acquisition, and development, with specific expertise handling stormwater issues. In addition to advising both local and national real estate developers on brownfields restoration, including navigating the Voluntary Remediation Program, Lisa manages the environmental due diligence for the purchase and sale of manufacturing facilities throughout the country for several venture capital and real estate investment trusts (REIT) entities. She has effectively negotiated consent orders with state environmental agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and is skilled at advising on permitting procedures and challenges to permit conditions and limits. Lisa has experience with Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) transactions and also works with several major solar developers, assisting with environmental permitting and land use issues. Lisa also manages the environmental complexities for the divestiture of potentially contaminated properties of a national chemical manufacturer and distributor and has provided environmental oversight for the development of hundreds of cell towers. She has conducted multimedia environmental compliance audits and environmental assessments for major manufacturing clients as well.
Lisa spent more than five years practicing environmental law at Hunton & Williams (Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP since 2018) prior to joining Hirschler to lead its environmental practice. She has past experience managing several major CERCLA litigation matters and also has handled commercial litigation matters. Her broad experience in real estate, business, and litigation practice groups allows her to quickly and efficiently manage environmental issues in any type of transaction or dispute.
Recognition
Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental Law, 2024 - 2025
Named to "Legal Elite" (Environmental Law), Virginia Business, 2004, 2015 - 2022, 2024
Experience
Experience
Routinely oversees environmental due diligence process, including environmental assessments, advising clients on potential environmental risks and mitigation, negotiating environmental contract terms, and satisfying lenders regarding potential liability.
Extensive experience advising on environmental regulatory and compliance matters, assisting with voluntary cleanup programs, and negotiating consent orders with state and federal agencies, including wetlands/stormwater and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) enforcement actions.
Skilled at advising on permitting procedures and challenges to permit conditions and limits, including wetlands regulations programs, solid and hazardous waste management programs, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act.
Ongoing representation of various stakeholders in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing transactions.
Ongoing representation of multinational portfolio company providing environmental expertise with purchase and sale of manufacturing facilities throughout the country.
Ongoing representation of national company providing oversight of divestiture of potentially contaminated properties.
Experience conducting multimedia environmental compliance audits and environmental assessments for major manufacturing clients.
Perspectives
News
Speaking Engagements
Publications
Blog Posts
Community
Beyond the Law
Beyond the Law
After her two-year-old son Connor successfully completed treatment for leukemia, Lisa founded “Connor’s Heroes,” a nonprofit that provides support to families in Virginia who have a child battling cancer and also funds pediatric cancer research at the VCU Massey Cancer Center. For 12 years, Lisa helped grow the organization as Founder and Executive Director. Currently, she serves as a member of the Advisory Council and Board of Directors. Additionally, she is an ex officio member of the VCU Massey Cancer Center Advisory Board and former Board Chair of the Barksdale Theatre.
When she isn’t helping deals happen or advocating for pediatric cancer families, she can be found in her “Happy Place” at Lake Gaston or on a ski slope out west. Lisa and her husband enjoy traveling and spending time with their adult children.
Services
Clerkships
- Law Clerk to the Honorable John A. MacKenzie, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia
Education
University of Richmond School of Law, J.D., cum laude
- Manuscripts Editor, University of Richmond Law Review
- National Vice Chair, American Bar Association, Law Student Division
Bucknell University, B.A., cum laude
Admissions
- Virginia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit
- AchievementHirschler Increases Best Lawyers in America Recognitions to 47 Attorneys, Two Honored as “Lawyers of the Year” and Eight as “Ones to Watch”
- AlertNorthern Long-Eared Bat (“NLEB”) Interim Guidance Extended Until This Summer
- Firm NewsHirschler Grows Best Lawyers in America Recognitions to 46 Attorneys, Two Honored as “Lawyers of the Year” and Nine as “Ones to Watch”