Karl Bayer, Dispute Resolution Expert

Environmental & Land Use Issues

Early in his career, Karl Bayer worked as a lawyer in Washington in the Pesticide and Toxics Division of the EPA. He advised EPA officials in rulemakings and represented EPA in pesticide litigation. When he returned to Austin, he worked for an Austin law firm representing Fortune 500 companies in permitting and enforcement disputes.

Over the course of his practice, Karl has represented cities, counties and school districts in environmental and land use matters. In 1996, he was the lead attorney for the City of Austin in a case that successfully challenged the constitutionality of a statute which would have preempted Austin land use and building regulations. Maple Run at Austin Municipal Utility District v. Monaghan, et al., 931 S.W.2d 941 (Tex. 1996). Since that time, he represented the City on a variety of other land use issues, and he continues to help businesses, governmental entities and private citizens resolve environmental and land use conflicts.

As a mediator and ADR practitioner Karl Bayer has helped resolve air and water quality and hazardous and solid waste issues as well as land use issues. He served on committees to implement ADR procedures before environmental agencies that have now been merged into the TCEQ. He also served on the Governor's task force that implemented legislation merging numerous state agencies into the TNRCC.