Taft attorneys Philip L. Comella and Ann Zwick will participate in the 2025 Annual Waste Conference hosted by the Lake Michigan States Section of the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) on Tuesday, June 3, at the Rosemont Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chicago.

Zwick will moderate the 9:00 a.m. session, “Plastic Waste: From Global Issue to the Great Lakes,” guiding a panel of experts through topics including the exponential growth of global plastic production, challenges of post-consumer waste, microplastics, and innovative recycling solutions.

Comella will speak on a panel during the 10:45 a.m. session, “Hot Topics in PFAS Litigation.” In addition to litigation, this panel will examine the rapidly evolving landscape surrounding PFAS, covering new federal and state approaches, litigation, impacts on industry, and advances in assessment and remediation technologies.

For more information or to register, please click here.

Comella has over 40 years of experience in environmental law and started his career as in-house counsel for a major waste management company, where he managed hazardous and solid waste issues nationwide. Today, he represents landfill owners, treatment facilities, recycling operations, and waste generators in a wide variety of environmental litigation, including PFAS lawsuits, governmental enforcement actions, odor nuisance claims, and royalty disputes under renewable energy contracts. He also advises clients on regulatory compliance matters arising under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Air Act rules for landfill gas projects, the Clean Water Act, and other environmental laws. He is recognized by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America for his environmental law practice.

Zwick has extensive experience in environmental law, focusing on the solid waste and scrap metal industries and air regulatory matters, and is ranked in Chambers USA: Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for her environmental practice. Previously an attorney with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, she co-authored legislation establishing Illinois’ Clean Air Act Permit Program. Zwick represents clients in regulatory compliance, permitting, enforcement actions, and litigation, including appeals before the Illinois Pollution Control Board and Appellate Court. Zwick is active in the Air & Waste Management Association’s Lake Michigan States Section, currently serving on the board.