Richard Elledge established Gould & Ratner's Environmental Law practice in 1970. He has helped clients avoid or resolve disputes concerning noise, blasting, air pollution, water pollution, drainage, the disposal of solid waste and the clean up of contaminated lands. His practice includes counseling clients on federal, state and local regulations regarding environmental issues and advocating the legal interests of clients in disputes with various regulatory agencies. He has been representing clients on mine safety and health issues and surface mine reclamation issues since the enactment of the Federal Mine Safety & Health Act and the Surface Coal Mine Reclamation Act in 1977.  He appears regularly before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, and its Office of Hearings and Appeals, in disputes between his clients and MSHA regarding mining operations, practices and conditions in both the coal and the aggregates industries.  Reese was recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2006.

Representative Matters

• Material Service Corporation (aggregates mining)
• Freeman United Coal Mining Company (underground and surface coal mining)

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• ABA - Section of Environment, Energy and Resources
• CBA - Environmental Law Committee
• Columbia Yacht Club, Past Commodore
• Columbia's Chester Kuttner Foundation, President