Joseph M. Santarella Jr., Esq. - Retired

Joseph M. Santarella Jr. has served as the legal instructor for numerous public and private environmental training courses or “Environmental Bootcamps” since 1997. Having been trained as a facilitator at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), he served as the lead facilitator for EPA’s Environmental Enforcement Negotiations Course and was a featured speaker on EPA’s Environmental Enforcement Negotiations Training videotape. Mr. Santarella brings a unique perspective to his environmental presentations by virtue of his broad and varied experience as an environmental attorney both in private practice and at EPA. For example, over the course of his legal career, he (1) represented both businesses and municipalities on environmental compliance and permit matters in litigation and administrative appeals, (2) served as an enforcement attorney at EPA Region VIII where he negotiated CERCLA consent orders and cost recovery claims, litigated administrative enforcement actions and permit appeals under CERCLA, EPCRA, CWA, RCRA and TSCA, and was appointed special Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel, and (3) represented environmental and labor organizations to enforce alleged environmental violations, ensure proper permitting of major industrial facilities including compliance with NEPA and the New Source Review requirements of the Clean Air Act, and challenge the rollback of environmental and health and safety regulations before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

A dynamic and passionate speaker, Mr. Santarella has given numerous presentations on a multitude of environmental topics before federal and state agencies and departments, bar associations, and private and public organizations over his legal career. He has written numerous articles on environmental law and authored the Enforcement and Liability Chapter of the 16th and 17th editions of the Environmental Law Handbook published by Government Institutes. Before retiring from the practice of law in 2021, Mr. Santarella was the founding member of Santarella & Eckert, LLC, which he opened in 1996 upon leaving EPA. He received a Juris Doctor from the George Washington University in 1987 and his B.A. with honors from Muhlenberg College in 1982. Mr. Santarella was an active member of the Colorado Bar and was admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the Tenth Circuit. For more information, see https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-santarella-7a833112/.

Michael Owen, CSP, CHMM, CET, ARM, SMS, REM, RCHMM, CPEA, CFPS, CIPS

Michael Owen is an experienced firefighter, emergency services instructor and safety professional with more than 30 years experience providing safety-related training and consulting services. Michael designs, develops, and instructs courses in various health and safety topics. He has provided training for all EPA/AHERA asbestos and EPA Lead Based Paint (LBP) abatement certification levels. In addition, Michael served as a Master instructor for the International Association of Fire Fighters’ (IAFF) Hazardous Materials program.

Mr. Owen was recently awarded his Masters of Science from the West Virginia University Safety Management program. Michael’s earlier education included a Master’s of General Administration in Applied Management from the University of Maryland University College. Mr. Owen’s received his Bachelors in General Studies from the University of Maryland with emphasis in fire protection engineering and health and safety education.

Michael is a Certified Safety Professional, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Certified Environmental Trainer, Registered Environmental Manager, and Registered Chemical Hazardous Materials Manager. In addition, Mr. Owen has completed the requirements and is a NPFA Certified Fire Protection Specialist, BECA Certified Professional Environmental Auditor and conducts both ISO 9000 and 14000 Lead Auditor training programs. Michael is also certified as a STI/API Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Inspector. For more information, see https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-owen-78328a7/.

Susan J. Eckert, Esq.

Throughout her career, Ms. Eckert has provided training on environmental, health and safety issues at EH&S and legal conferences sponsored by various organizations including federal agencies. She joined Santarella & Eckert, LLC, in Littleton, Colorado, as a member in 2002, and serves as litigation counsel on health, safety and environmental issues.  Recently, she has been litigating appeals challenging environmental and health and safety regulations appearing before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 

In the past, she served as a hearing officer on disciplinary and termination cases for the City of Denver.  Prior to that, Ms. Eckert was a partner and associate at a Denver, Colorado, firm for over seven years where she handled a wide variety of health and safety matters before various administrative tribunals. She began her legal career as an enforcement attorney for the Office of the Solicitor, United States Department of Labor in Arlington, Virginia, and then moved to the Denver Office of the Solicitor litigating cases under various safety and health, labor and anti-discrimination statutes including the Mine Safety and Health Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Rehabilitation Act. 

Ms. Eckert graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science from Colgate University in 1985 and a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School in 1988.  Prior to retiring from the practice of law, she was admitted to practice in United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the Tenth Circuit.  Originally from Central New York, she and her family relocated to the Denver area from Washington, D.C., in 1990 to enjoy the great outdoors including hiking, biking and camping. For more information, see https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-eckert-4825489/.