Christopher Schraff

Firm: Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
Location: Columbus - OH

  • 41 South High Street
    Suites 2800 - 3200
    Columbus, OH 43215
  • Tel : 614.227.2097
  • Fax : 614.227.2100

Chris practices in the firm’s Environmental, Energy, and Government & Regulatory Affairs Practice Groups, with an emphasis on matters involving the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, CERCLA and RCRA matters, wetlands regulation, pretreatment requirements, state and local environmental statutes and regulations, and lender and fiduciary liability issues.

He has litigated a number of civil and criminal environmental matters, including service as lead counsel in Columbus & Franklin County Metropolitan Park District v. Shank, 5 — the leading decision in Ohio on water pollution control law — and in City of Canton v. Whitman, — a leading case on state control of public water supplies.

He has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting environmental provisions for purchase agreements, loan documents, real estate documents and other business documents. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for the area of Environmental Law in every edition since 1991, and is a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers. He was named the Best Lawyers® 2010 Columbus, Ohio Environmental “Lawyer of the Year.” Chris is also recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers® and is listed in Chambers USA as one of the leading attorneys in Environmental Law.

Professional Associations

  • Ohio Sewage Treatment System, Technical Advisory Committee
  • Ohio EPA Great Lakes Initiative, External Advisory Group
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Columbus Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American College of Environmental Lawyers, Fellow

Honors & Awards

  • Ohio Super Lawyers®
  • Best Lawyers®, Ohio Environmental, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2010, 2012
  • Chambers USA, Natural Resources and Environment, Band One (highest ranking), Ohio
  • Best Lawyers®, Environmental Law and Litigation – Environmental

Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP

We staff each project based on the client’s objectives and budget preferences. Our attorneys’ experience, capabilities and fee ranges are always considered alongside budgetary factors. Through transparent communication, we are committed to engaging in mutually agreeable staffing and fee arrangements that offer flexibility and predictability for each client.

We strive for communication that is consistent and clear and includes the status reporting, budgetary updates and risk analysis our clients deserve. We stay firmly engaged with our clients throughout each project, to share feedback, review efficiencies and adjust strategy as needed.

From the very start, we aspire to understand each client’s business objectives and risk tolerance, and tailor our legal services to help them achieve favorable results. We leverage our experience and use legal project management principles to work cohesively with our clients and streamline every engagement.