Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law

Linda C. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. Linda C., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Linda C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Amy leads the Environmental practice with a focus on the environmental aspects of real estate and business transactions, including coastal development. She has built trust with her clients by providing practical business advice regarding regulatory compliance; conducting due diligence; remediating contaminated properties; meeting the requirements of water, wetland, and stormwater permitting standards; and, devising strategies for sensitive and contaminated properties through Brownfields redev...

Susan E. Brice is a bold litigator, advocate, and advisor with 30 years of experience specializing in environmental law, toxic tort, and product liability defense work. After departing Big Law, where she served in leadership roles, she joined Nijman Franzetti LLP, an all-women owned business savvy boutique in 2020. Over the years, she has worked on significant matters involving at least nineteen states and the Virgin Islands. She has experience in all major aspects of environmental law, takin...

Richard G. Duplantier, Jr. is a senior partner at Galloway, a respected trial lawyer, and accomplished business consultant known for his critical and innovative approach to litigation and case handling. He focuses his commercial litigation practice on products liability, construction, environmental, professional liability, and insurance defense and coverage, with extensive trial experience and a success rate of over eighty percent. Rick also represents entertainment industry clients in litiga...

Gordon Polozola draws on decades of experience representing public utilities and industrial clients across a wide range of regulated industries, including electric generation and project development , telecommunications, water and sewer services, gas and petroleum pipeline regulation, and trucking and transportation companies. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Gordon focuses on helping clients align legal strategy with business objectives while addressing regulatory, compliance, and operationa...

Juan J. Mayol, Jr. is a partner and practices in the firm’s Real Estate Section in the areas of Land Use and Zoning. He represents builders and developers in all aspects of land use law through the entire development process, from zoning approvals to subdivision and building permit issues. In addition, Mr. Mayol handles environmental matters as they relate to the development process. Mr. Mayol holds the highest rating assigned by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

Ms. Koonz focuses her practice in the areas of environmental and energy law, with an emphasis on environmental permitting and compliance, development and transfer of electric generation facilities, renewable and clean energy projects, coastal and port-area projects, and A-901 licensing. For over 25 years, Ms. Koonz has advised domestic and overseas businesses with respect to New Jersey state and federal environmental permitting, regulatory compliance and requisite scientific data to best mana...

Jennifer Cave has over 20 years of experience working as an environmental consultant and attorney across the United States. Serving as Chair of the firm's Environmental, Energy & Sustainability Service Group, she works closely with businesses to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental laws and regulations. Ms. Cave advises clients on air quality, storm water, wastewater, and solid and hazardous waste permitting and compliance requirements and defends clients in admi...

Walter brings more than thirty-five years of experience providing representation, advice and counsel to businesses and individuals in their dealings with Indian tribes and public land management agencies, like the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico State Land Office. Walter’s practice is focused on natural resources, energy and environmental law. Clients throughout the west and across the country seek Walter’s advice in matters involving transac...

Susan M. Franzetti has extensive experience in compliance counseling, regulatory and litigation matters. Ms. Franzetti has extensive experience in water pollution matters under both federal and state programs, including issues relating to NPDES and industrial pretreatment discharge permits, effluent toxicity, TMDLs, use attainability analyses, wetlands, CSO’s/SSO’s, rule-making proceedings, variances/site-specific relief, mixing zone demonstrations, antidegradation, antibackslidin...

P. Stephen Gidiere III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. P. Stephen, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which P. Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John B. Weldon, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law and Water Law. John B., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

W. David Bridgers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Environmental Law and Health Care Law. W. David, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which W. David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott M. Watson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Scott M., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom Burack is an attorney with Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green PA in Manchester, New Hampshire whose practice focuses on Environmental Law and related regulatory and business matters. With more than 35 years of experience in environmental and public policy matters, including more than a decade serving as Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Tom brings a practical understanding of how government agencies operate and how environmental regulations affect busin...

Jim Swanson represents state and local governments, corporations, and individuals in cases involving municipal finance, derivatives, CDOs, Ponzi schemes, corporate tax, coastal land loss, industrial and environmental accidents, and a range of other subject areas. Jim’s efforts are recorded in over 100 reported decisions. Jim is particularly known for his securities practice and has obtained multimillion-dollar judgments for his clients in jury and bench trials and commercial arbitration...