Christopher A. Walker advises and represents a diverse range of clients, including large and small businesses, governmental and civic organizations, farms, and individuals, on matters of environmental law. A former Ohio Assistant Attorney General, Chris has worked with virtually every facet of federal and Ohio environmental law in a career that spans thirty years.

Chris negotiates environmental permits and administrative orders, prosecutes and defends lawsuits, and provides guidance to clients and law firms on issues of environmental compliance and liability avoidance in a wide variety of contexts, including business and real estate transactions, estate planning, and probate. Chris also advises and represents landowners, local governments, and community organizations in environment-related land use matters, including brownfield redevelopment, federal facilities cleanups and environmental impact statements. He represented a city and its community improvement corporation in the $1 billion cleanup of a former U.S. Department of Energy facility, and has advised parties in the sale or donation of conservation easements resulting in the permanent protection of over 1,500 acres of farmland and open space in western and central Ohio.

Chris began his career in 1988 as an Ohio Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Enforcement Section, where he served as lead counsel on numerous environmental enforcement matters relating to air and water pollution, hazardous waste, and public drinking water. From 1995-99, he was a member of the environmental practice group of Thompson, Hine & Flory, a major Midwest law firm.

Chris also serves as a mediator and facilitator in connection with environmental and public policy matters. For example, he facilitated a successful round-table discussion on drainage policy and water quality in northwestern Ohio involving county and township elected officials and staff, academic researchers, governmental agencies, and representatives from agricultural and environmental groups.

Chris has been active in legislative and lobbying efforts relating to environmental regulation and land use, and has provided testimony before House and Senate committees of the Ohio General Assembly.

Van Kley & Walker, LLC

Van Kley & Walker focuses on delivering insightful, practical solutions, and reliable teamwork for clients with environmental law and policy challenges. With more than six decades of combined experience in environmental law, Chris Walker and Jack Van Kley offer depth of perspective across a wide range of environmental issues. We assist our clients in litigation, compliance counseling, permitting, property transactions, mediation, and legislation. We combine our strong legal experience with careful attention and prompt response to client needs and priorities.

Because environmental laws are complicated and constantly changing, we concentrate exclusively on environmental law.

The breadth of our experience is matched by the diversity of our clients. Our clients vary in size from multinational corporations to small businesses and landowners. We represent farmers, local governments, and lenders. So regardless of the size of your organization or your environmental challenges, we offer the expertise and attention you need.

Our goal is simple—to provide our clients with practical, innovative solutions to their environmental issues. At Van Kley & Walker, we cultivate an environment of integrity and trust…and this is how we grow our client relationships.