Steve Torres Email and Phone Number

A Professional Geologist, Steve has 40 years’ experience performing environmental assessment, engineering studies and remedial actions at sites across the United States. With a focus on Brownfields redevelopment, he specializes in real estate transactions in the context of environmental risk, contractual obligations and the steps needed to close deals. Steve has served as an expert witness and provided litigation support for numerous cases involving responsibility for chemical contamination, standard-of-care issues, insurance claims, and property transfers.As a client advocate, Steve directed cost-recovery claims against responsible parties. Working on behalf of a church, a Fortune 500 company accepted responsibility to obtain agency closure for a former paint manufacturing plant. He also negotiated with an oil company, on behalf of a family trust, to remove derelict USTs from a redevelopment site.With more than 25 years in Chicago, Steve has developed relationships with contractors, clients and teaming partners. Chicago experience includes construction of numerous high-rise buildings in the Loop through the renovation of Soldier Field and redevelopment of industrial sites such as foundries, engine manufacturing plants, and a closed Superfund site. Current projects (2022-24) support construction of 10MM sq. ft. of commercial space at more than a dozen Brownfield sites in Chicago. Set-aside budgets are routinely developed for site investigation, asbestos surveys/abatement, waste removal, vapor mitigation and site-specific concerns. Budgets account for the steps needed to achieve agency closure with contingencies for unknown conditions. Steve has a reputation as a practical and resourceful practitioner, bringing common-sense solutions and closure to complicated issues. He works cooperatively with agencies to build positive relationships while meeting his client’s business objectives. An effective communicator, he presents a compelling argument based on the facts of a given case. With experience both broad and deep, Steve effectively manages the expectations of multiple parties, including those with conflicting perspectives.