BYRON TAYLOR is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and co-leader of Sidley’s Environmental, Health, and Safety practice. His practice includes civil litigation, crisis response, compliance counseling, internal investigations, regulatory advocacy, and environmental aspects of transactions.
Byron assists clients and advises boards in high-stakes matters following major environmental incidents, including matters that involve both environmental regulatory issues and related tort claims. He also frequently provides key strategic advice on regulatory and permit matters and defends clients against alleged violations of a variety of federal and state environmental laws. Over the past several years, Byron has become well known for his work on complex Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act matters.
Byron was named the Litigation — Environmental Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Chicago in the Best Lawyers’ 2013 edition. He has been recognized as a leader in Chambers USA 2013–2024 in Environment: Litigation, which noted he “feels like a steady hand for clients in difficult negotiations.” Byron was named by Crain’s Chicago Business to its 2019 list of “Notable Minorities in Accounting, Consulting & Law” and its 2022 list of “Notable Black Leaders & Executives.” He is also listed among the 2023 Lawdragon “Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law” and 2023 Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) “Rainmaker”. In 2024, the Chicago Bar Association awarded him the Earl B. Dickerson Award, which honors minority lawyers and judges who fight for justice and equality in the legal profession.
Within the firm, Byron is a co-chair of the Inclusion Committee and serves on the Counsel Committee.