Atty. Thomas C. Berger

Atty. Thomas C. Berger

Thomas (Tom) Berger’s practice is based on an in-depth understanding of and experience with the chemicals, plastics, and electronics industries. As a preeminent practitioner with over 30 years of experience, Tom helps clients commercialize new chemical products and preserve supply chains for existing chemical products utilizing an interdisciplinary team approach combining law and science, with an emphasis on emerging technologies in the industrial and consumer chemicals areas.

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Profile Summary

About Thomas C. Berger at a glance

Thomas C. Berger is a environmental attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Keller and Heckman LLP. Admitted to practice in Indiana, Indiana State Bar Association, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Bar Association, and District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar. Educated at The George Washington University (J.D., 1993) and Michigan State University (B.S.). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law (2026). Serands clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

Über uns

  • Thomas (Tom) Berger’s practice is based on an in-depth understanding of and experience with the chemicals, plastics, and electronics industries
  • As a preeminent practitioner with over 30 years of experience, Tom helps clients commercialize new chemical products and preserve supply chains for existing chemical products utilizing an interdisciplinary team approach combining law and science, with an emphasis on emerging technologies in the industrial and consumer chemicals areas
  • Tom’s practice focuses almost exclusively on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
  • Tom leads clients through the TSCA section 5 premanufacture notification (PMN) approval process and negotiates the terms of resulting section 5(e) orders and significant new use rules (SNURs)
  • He provides counsel to clients on major U.S
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement matters, assists companies in preparing for compliance inspections and responding to information requests and subpoenas, and defends Agency enforcement actions
  • As an active member of the environmental and chemical industries and legal community, Tom was extensively involved in efforts to “reform” TSCA, and has in-depth and day-to-day experience with all aspects of TSCA, including rulemaking/advocacy, test rule/order, section 5 PMN, TSCA Inventory, Chemical Data Reporting (CDR), and section 6, as well as confidential business information (CBI), section 8 recordkeeping and reporting, and import/export issues
  • Tom’s technical background allows him to undertake matters that involve complex chemistry, chemical nomenclature, and chemical engineering issues
  • Tom co-authored an amicus curiae brief for the United States Supreme Court in Hoechst Celanese v
  • United States, 128 F.3d 216 (4th Cir. 1997), as well as four technical papers on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (“dioxin”)
  • Tom is a recognized leader in conducting extensive voluntary TSCA compliance audits, often conducted as part of corporate mergers or acquisitions
  • Since its inception in 1995, Tom has assisted hundreds of clients successfully utilize EPA’s “Audit Policy” (as well as the “New Owner Policy”) to disclose and obtain up to 100% gravity-based monetary penalty mitigation for a wide variety of TSCA violations
  • Tom is a frequent lecturer and author on chemical notification, chemical regulation, liability management, auditing, enforcement, and TSCA reform issues, and is regularly quoted as an expert in the trade press
  • He was a contributing author of Environmental and Workplace Safety, A Guide for University, Hospital, and School Managers (Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996)
  • Tom has a Chemical Engineering background, and, prior to joining Keller and Heckman, worked as an engineer for a major international chemical manufacturing company

Practice Areas Explained

Thomas C. Berger's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Thomas C. Berger handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Environmental Law

Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.

Thomas C. Berger is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in District of Columbia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in District of Columbia

Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Thomas C. Berger

Where is Thomas C. Berger's law office located?
Thomas C. Berger's law practice is located in Washington, District of Columbia. The firm is Keller and Heckman LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Thomas C. Berger handle?
Thomas C. Berger focuses on environmental. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in District of Columbia.
Where did Thomas C. Berger go to law school?
Thomas C. Berger earned their education at (J.D., 1993); (B.S.).
How can I contact Thomas C. Berger for a consultation?
You can contact Thomas C. Berger directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Thomas C. Berger received?
Thomas C. Berger's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:; Best Lawyers in America — Chemical Control.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
The George Washington University
- 1993
B.S.
Michigan State University
- In Bearbeitung

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chemical Control
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Indiana, Indiana State Bar Association
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Bar Association
District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar

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