Environmental Law Experience

With more than 25 years of experience as an environmental attorney, Thomas Benke is one of the most experienced and respected environmental attorneys in Oregon and Washington. In 1985 Thomas started his career as a permitting engineer in the Texas Water Commission’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Division, eventually becoming the agency’s leading expert and primary regulator for all commercial hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities in Texas. Thomas graduated from Lewis and Clark Law School in 1992 and immediately joined a leading regional law firm in Portland, Oregon. In 1997 Thomas established The Environmental Compliance Organization LLC, with offices in Portland, to focus exclusively on environmental law. ECO LLC serves clients in Oregon and Washington State Courts, in federal district court, and in the administrative forums of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Washington Department of Ecology. Thomas Benke is also recognized as an expert in the development of environmental regulatory systems internationally. He serves as Executive Director of ECO International, a public benefit non-profit corporation that consults for local and regional governments worldwide.