Dickinson Wright PLLC

Margaret A. Coughlin

Member

mcoughlin(at)dickinsonwright.com

Phone: 248.433.7272

Fax: 248.433.7274

Home > Attorneys > Margaret A. Coughlin

Areas of Practice Emphasis

Environmental

Representative Clients

American Golf
American Water
Arkema, Inc.
Auto Suppliers
Connor Forest Industries
Dow Chemical Company
Ford Motor Company
M & M Energy LLC
Magna International Inc.
Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC

Prominent Assignments

Expertise in the following areas:
- Air, Water, and Wetlands Compliance, Permitting, and Enforcement
- Brownfield Redevelopment
- Environmental Transactions, including Due Diligence, Phase I & II Assessments, and Baseline Environmental Assessments
- RCRA, CERCLA, and MERA Cleanups
- PCB Spills, Release Reporting, and Record Keeping
- RCRA Compliance, Permitting, Enforcement, and Corrective Action
Emergency response experience - On scene counsel in two of the largest environmental incidents in Michigan:
- Major fire and spill from a ship transporting petroleum blocking all river transportation for weeks. Incident involved death, personal injury, business interruption, environmental response, and natural resource impairment
- Major fire at chemical plant involving a release from rail tank cars. Incident involved deaths, personal injury, and evacuation of residential neighborhoods, business interruption, and emergency environmental response
Represent corporations in groundwater, soil and air toxic tort actions; represent clients in complex litigation including class actions and multi-party environmental cost recovery action
Environmental counsel with respect to major Great Lakes spill
Experience with Air Emissions Trading Programs and Audit Privilege
Negotiated two major sediment cleanups; obtained site- specific SIP; successfully negotiated several generic and limited cleanups
Title V Permit conditions successfully appealed
Due diligence and permitting Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle (?IGCC?)
Environmental and Toxic Tort Litigation
Ford Motor Company (1978-1988)?Senior Attorney/General Litigation responsibilities included management of class actions, and environmental litigation

Education

J.D. (cum laude), Wayne State University, 1975
B.S. (magna cum laude), Northern Michigan University, 1973

Admitted to Practice

Michigan, 1976
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1976

Professional and Community Involvement

State Bar of Michigan
American Bar Association
Air & Waste Management Association Treasurer (2004-2007) Vice Chair (2007-2008)
Board of Directors, Secretary, The Roeper School (2003+)
YWCA Camp Cavell Sponsorship Committee (1998+)
Sojourner Foundation Award for Women Helping Women (1999)
Northern Michigan University Distinguished Alumni Award (December 1998)
Chairperson, Great Lakes Technology Advisory Committee (1989-1994)
Chairperson, Greater Detroit Area Chamber of Commerce Enviromental and Energy Advisory Committee (1989-1990)

Publications and Presentations

Albion College, Guest Lecturer, "A Civil Action," November 1998
Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Lecturer on Safety Inspections, Workplace Violence, and Ergonomics (January 1999)
Northern Michigan University, Forum on Sustainable Development, March 1999
Detroit Regional Chamber, "Managing Crisis: Is Your Company Prepared?" April 2002
Moderator Air & Waste Management Association Conferences (2005, 2006)