Christine L. Hein
Managing Partner
Christine represents businesses, municipal entities and individuals in regulatory, permitting and litigation matters involving a broad range of environmental, natural resources, tribal, energy, land use, facility development and occupational health and safety issues. Her practice focuses on counseling and representing clients in negotiations with regulatory agencies and in litigation regarding compliance with federal statutes such as CERCLA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, NEPA, RCRA, OSHA, MSHA and related state laws. She also advises numerous municipalities on water rights, public works and contracting issues.
Christine and the other members of Ring Bender’s Environmental Law and Litigation practice groups draw upon a wide range of unique skills, years of experience and expertise by working as a team to effectively serve clients’ needs. This teamwork approach allows the group to provide clients with prompt, high quality, effective and creative advice and solutions to even the most complex legal issues.
Christine has been recognized by numerous Top Lawyer lists, including being nominated and recognized through a rigorous peer and client review process by Chambers & Partners USA in the area of Environmental Law in Oregon.
Prior to joining Ring Bender, Christine practiced environmental and natural resource law at Bateman Seidel Miner Blomgren Chellis & Gram and K&L Gates. Christine began her legal career at the New York City firm of Seward & Kissel. Prior to law school Christine worked as a Development Officer at the Rainforest Foundation in New York and also served as an agriculture extension volunteer in the Peace Corps in Guatemala.
When not working, Christine spends her time chasing after her three young children. Her hobbies include shopping the local farmers markets, knitting, cooking and international travel. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Multnomah Bar Association.
Representative Matters
- Representing a former ship repair company and a local property management company in negotiations with EPA and other potentially responsible parties at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, in both the response cost allocation and NRDA allocation processes;
- Representing a coalition of municipal water providers in a contested case involving protests to their water rights before the Oregon Water Resources Department;
- Representing numerous Oregon municipalities on issues related to their water delivery systems, including the development and preservation of water rights;
- Representing a construction project proponent in negotiations with the Oregon Department of Transportation about alleged violations of stormwater management provisions its 1200-C Construction Permit;
- Representing the operator of a container shipping facility in negotiations with multiple regulatory agencies, including the Oregon State Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, regarding compliance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations;
- Representing an Oregon municipality with a combined sewer system regarding compliance with its NPDES permit, including development and implementation of a voluntary pretreatment plan;
- Advising numerous property owners and developers about environmental considerations, such as NEPA analysis, UST removal and recovery of costs for legacy contamination.
- Represented an Oregon municipality in negotiations with state regulatory agencies and private stakeholders in a major public works project involving the replacement of an aging sewer line with a state-of-the-art buoyant line through a lake, including advising the municipality regarding public contracting and insurance issues;
- Defended a chemical company in a complex groundwater contamination case in California;
- Counseled the former owner of a contaminated property in California regarding transfer of remedial obligations to the new owner;
- Represented a chemical company named as a potentially responsible party at a former drum reconditioning Superfund Site in the Los Angeles area;
- Defended a multinational corporation in enforcement proceedings brought by the Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Division and provide ongoing counsel regarding compliance with OSHA;
- Defended a Washington-based mining contractor in enforcement proceedings brought by the federal Mine Safety & Health Administration and provide ongoing counsel regarding compliance with MSHA;
- Represented and counseled a multinational allergen manufacturing company in negotiations with EPA regarding wastewater pretreatment issues at its facilities in Washington and Idaho;
- Represented the developer of a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on various aspects of local, state and federal permitting issues and consultation under the Endangered Species Act;
- Represented a tribal corporation regarding tax implications of an online business.
Professional & Civic Activities
- Multnomah Bar Board of Directors (2023-Present, Treasurer)
- American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources: (Science & Technology Committee (Chair 2017), Environmental Litigation and Toxic Torts Committee (Vice Chair 2021), Superfund and Cost Recovery Committee)
- Multnomah Bar Foundation, Board of Directors (2009- 2014)
- Growing Gardens, Board of Directors (2009- 2014)
- Judge, Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition (2007-2010)
- Instructor, Environmental Law & Policy, Boston College (Spring 2005)
- Oregon Bar Association, Environmental & Natural Resources Section member
- Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLs) member
- Women of CERCLA member
Awards
- Best Lawyers in America (2023, 2024)
- Chambers and Partners USA (Environmental Law, 2022-2024)
- Oregon Super Lawyers (Environmental Law, 2022-2024); Rising Star (2009, 2010, 2016)
Education
- B.A., The George Washington University (1999) magna cum laude
- J.D., Boston College Law School (2005) with Certificate in Environmental Law
Bar Admissions
- California
- New York
- Oregon
