Region 7 Office of Regional Counsel

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Overview of the Office of Regional Counsel

The Office of Regional Counsel (ORC) provides legal advice and delivers legal services to the Regional office, working with Regional staff on the implementation, application, and enforcement of federal statutes, regulations, policy, and guidance. In addition to the Regional Counsel, a Deputy, and five Branch Supervisors, the office includes 48 staff attorneys, paralegals, and support staff.

Other areas of ORC responsibility:

  • Represent the Region in all civil administrative and judicial litigation in which the Region is a party.
  • Represent the Regional Administrator and the Region as counsel in their relationships with other federal, state, tribal, and local agencies; and provide the legal review for the delegation of federal programs and/or federal authorization of state programs to state, tribal, and local agencies.
  • Provide other such legal advice and services to enable and assist the Region in carrying out the mission of the Agency.

Immediate Office of ORC

Provides legal services to the Region 7 Criminal Investigation Division.

Air and Cross-Cutting Issues Branch (ACCIB)

ACCIB provides legal services to the Air and Radiation Division for air planning and permitting; represents the Region and works in conjunction with Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division staff on all civil judicial and administrative Clean Air Act and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) enforcement matters; and provides counseling across divisions regarding tribal matters and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Chemical Branch (CB)

CB provides legal services to Region 7 for all matters relating to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The branch represents the Region and works in conjunction with the affected programs in all civil judicial and administrative matters, as well as counseling issues arising under these statutes, including enforcement, permitting, program review, and state authorization/delegation.

FOIA and General Law Branch (FGLB)

FGLB provides legal services to Region 7 with respect to labor and employment law, equal employment opportunity, civil rights, ethics, Hatch Act, contracts, financial assistance awards, interagency agreements, and appropriations law. The branch also provides legal advice on information law, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act, and Federal Records Act. FGLB represents EPA in administrative proceedings and works with the U.S. Department of Justice in representing the Agency in judicial cases in the areas referenced above.

Superfund Branch (SB)

SB provides legal services to the Superfund Division for all matters arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and RCRA Corrective Action, representing the Region and working in conjunction with the program in all civil judicial and administrative enforcement matters, as well as counseling issues, including removal and remedial actions, response, and cost recovery. The branch additionally provides legal services for emergency response scenarios under CERCLA, Stafford Act, and Oil Pollution Act.

Water Branch (WB)

WB provides legal services to the Region for all matters relating to the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Oil Pollution Act. The branch represents the Region and works in conjunction with affected programs in all civil judicial and administrative matters, as well as counseling issues, arising under these statutes, including enforcement, permitting, program review, water quality standards, and state authorization/delegation.

Regional Hearing Clerk

Amy Gonzales is the Regional Hearing Clerk in Region 7 and may be reached at 913-551-7972 or by email at [email protected]. The Regional Hearing Clerk receives filings for proceedings under the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits (40 CFR Part 22).

Mailing address for filing:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219

Electronic filing:

Regional Judicial and Presiding Officer

This individual serves as the Regional Judicial Officer or Regional Presiding Officer, depending on the procedural rules used in a particular proceeding.

The Regional Judicial Officer, acting on behalf of the Regional Administrator, rules on pre-answer motions and issues final orders on consent decrees in cases under the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits (40 CFR Part 22). In addition, the Regional Judicial Officer serves as an alternative dispute resolution neutral (mediator) in Part 22 cases, when requested by the parties.

The Regional Presiding Officer is designated by the Regional Administrator to serve as adjudicator in EPA administrative cases not governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, including cases involving the administrative assessment of civil penalties as enforcement sanctions under the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Oil Pollution Act. The Regional Presiding Officer also has adjudicatory responsibilities in administrative proceedings under the RCRA Interim Status Corrective Action Program (40 CFR Part 24), and the CERCLA Guidance on Federal Superfund Liens (Supplemental Guidance on Federal Superfund Liens, July 29, 1993).

Karina Borromeo is the Regional Judicial and Presiding Officer in Region 7. She can be reached at 913-551-7675 or by email at [email protected]. Crystal Johnson is the Alternate Regional Judicial and Presiding Officer and can be reached at 913-551-7504 or by email at [email protected].

Ambassadors List

The Region 7 ORC Ambassadors Program provides prospective hires an opportunity to schedule an informational interview for a one-on-one conversation with a current EPA attorney to answer any questions they may have regarding workplace culture and job experiences. Simply click on the Ambassador’s email link below, include “Ambassadors Program” in the subject line, and provide your contact information and that Ambassador will get back to you to schedule a time to chat.

  • Britt Bieri is a Senior Attorney-Advisor in the Chemical Management Branch, specializing in enforcement and litigation primarily in RCRA, FIFRA, and TSCA matters. Prior to joining EPA in 2016, he practiced general litigation in the Kansas City area for 10 years. Britt attended the University of Kansas and the Washburn University School of Law. Email: [email protected].
  • Cathie Chiccine is an Attorney-Advisor in the Superfund Branch, specializing in enforcement and legal matters surrounding CERCLA and cleanup of Superfund sites. Prior to joining EPA in 2018, she practiced oil and gas complex commercial litigation in the Kansas City and Colorado areas for eight years. Cathie received her undergraduate and J.D. at the University of Kansas and her L.L.M. at the University of Denver School of Law. Email: [email protected].
  • Ivery Goldstein is a Senior Attorney-Advisor in the FOIA and General Law Branch. She works on matters involving civil rights, EEO, labor and employment, ethics, grants, and procurement. She attended Emporia State University and the University of Kansas School of Law. Ivery joined ORC in 2019 and lives in Lawrence, Kansas. Email: [email protected].
  • Yolanda Holden is an Attorney-Advisor in the Immediate Office Branch, where she works on criminal enforcement matters, mostly within the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and RCRA, which have been investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division. She attended Hampton University for her undergraduate degree and Loyola University Chicago School of Law for her J.D. Yolanda is from Gary, Indiana, and joined ORC in 2011. Email: [email protected].
  • Shane McCoin is a Senior Attorney-Advisor in the Superfund Branch, specializing in enforcement and litigation, and previously worked in the Water Branch on Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act matters. Prior to joining EPA in 2017, she practiced natural resources law in Sacramento, California. Shane attended Georgetown University and the University of Michigan Law School. Email: [email protected].

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Last updated on February 6, 2025