Biography

Elizabeth concentrates her practice in environmental law. She has extensive experience in cases involving contaminated property and groundwater, including Superfund/CERCLA litigation, RCRA litigation, and private cost recovery actions under state and federal law; matters involving the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act and their state counterparts; and the defense of enforcement actions by environmental agencies including the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. She also has experience in a wide range of environmental administrative proceedings. Elizabeth has a special interest and extensive experience in local siting proceedings and appeals for landfills and other pollution control facilities, under Illinois’ unique local site approval procedures.   

In addition to her environmental law practice, Elizabeth also defends toxic tort matters, particularly cases involving chemical exposures. Elizabeth is experienced in all phases of litigation and trials in federal and state courts, as well as before administrative agencies such as the Illinois Pollution Control Board and the USEPA. She has worked for clients ranging from large corporations to individual landowners, and also has represented municipalities and other units of local government.  

Prior to entering private practice, Elizabeth was the attorney for a member of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, and also served as a hearing officer for that board.  Additionally, she was a research attorney for the Illinois Supreme Court following law school.

Practices

Environmental Law
Toxic Tort Litigation

Memberships & Affiliations

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Animal Protective Association's Harmony House
  Pro Bono Legal Counsel, 2002-present
  Board Member, 2003-2007
• Litigation Counsel of America, Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute

Awards

• Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers, 2024-2025
• Selected for inclusion in Illinois Leading Lawyers in 2005-2012, 2018, 2020-2023 in environmental litigation
• Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2009-2016 in environmental litigation
• AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (highest rating in both legal ability and ethical standards)
• Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental, 2023-2024
  • Environmental Law, 2021-2022
• Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, Trial Lawyer Honorary Society

Publications

• Harvey, The elaw 60-second interview, UK Environmental Law Assocation elaw Newsletter, June 2023 
• Maher and Harvey, Liability Issues in Private RCRA Suits Over Leaking Underground Storage Tanks, 30 Chemical Waste Litigation Reporter 691, September 1995
• Harvey, Slone, & Urbas, Survey of Illinois Law: Environmental Law, 18 S.Ill.U.L.J. 791 (1994)

Presentations

Numerous presentations on the Illinois environmental regulatory system and the defense of multi-party tort actions to groups including the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Winnebago Bar Association and the Illinois Pollution Control Board, including:

• “Litigation Holds: What You Need to Know,” Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, 2010
• “Practice Before the Illinois Pollution Control Board,” Half Moon Seminars, Wheaton, Illinois, 2005

News

January 10, 2025
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized as Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers for 2025
Fifty-three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of Leading Lawyers, published by Law Bulletin Media. This honor highlights their outstanding skill and leadership in the legal field. Attorneys selected were nominated by their peers as among the top in Illinois. Leading Lawyers recognizes the most qualified and trusted attorneys within their respective practice areas and geographical regions.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, St. Louis, Madison County, Indiana, Kansas City, August 15, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Fifty-six Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named to the 2025 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® lists. In addition, Partners Michael W. Drumke and Gary C. Pinter were recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" in their respective practice areas.

Chicago, September 06, 2023
Harvey Aids Tinley Park-Park District in Mental Health Center Redevelopment
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP proudly announces that Partner Elizabeth S. Harvey has been retained by The Tinley Park-Park District to assist in addressing environmental issues for a new recreational space on the land of a vacant mental health center.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, St. Louis, Madison County, August 17, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2024 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Fifty-five Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named to the 2024 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ lists.

June 19, 2023
Harvey Interviewed by UK Environmental Law Association
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP partner Elizabeth S. Harvey was featured in UK Environmental Law Association's (UKELA) June 2023 digital newsletter, elaw.

August 18, 2022
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Thirty-nine Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ lists.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, St. Louis, Madison County, Indiana, August 19, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, January 11, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2021
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommended by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.