Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Environmental
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State
Education: College of the Holy Cross, B.A. Boston University School of Law, J.D. Bar Admissions: States: Rhode Island Massachusetts Maine Federal Courts: Supreme Court of the United States United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island United States District Court for the District of Maine Pro Hac Vice Admissions: Middle District of Florida, Eastern District of Pe...
Sharon V. Lovejoy represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters with primary focus in commercial, real estate and business litigation. Ms. Lovejoy has been named to The Best Lawyers in America ® , "Lawyer of the Year" in Honolulu list, Appellate P ractice (2020), Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law (2015, 2019, 2024, 2026) and Litigation-Banking & Finance (2014, 2022, 2025). Lovejoy is also recognized by The Best Lawyers in America ® (in “Appellate Law”, "Arb...
Victor Cardenas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Environmental and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Victor, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Victor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John P. Manaut is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Litigation - Real Estate and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. John P., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John P. is held by othe...
Howard Sinor has extensive trial and appellate experience spanning more than three decades. He has handled hundreds of cases at all levels of the federal and state judicial systems, up to and including the United States and Louisiana Supreme Courts. He is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution including arbitration, mediation, and summary trials. Howard's experience in the practice of commercial litigation is broad and deep, and includes class action, multi-district, and other com...
A founding partner of Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, Kathleen McDaniel helps businesses large and small get the permits they need through her practice of environmental and government law. In many of these cases, clients benefit from her unusual combination of legal skills, a scientific background and government experience. Kathleen holds a bachelor's degree in aquaculture, fisheries, and wildlife and a master's in forestry with a focus on stream ecology. She's also a past member of the Richla...
Accomplished lawyer providing legal guidance across numerous state and federal environmental, public lands and natural resource issues. Known for finding pragmatic solutions to complex problems. Has a deep understanding of clients’ businesses and operations. A widely respected environmental lawyer, Eric Waeckerlin employs a thoughtful, solution-oriented approach in resolving all stages of complex environmental permitting, enforcement, policy and regulatory matters. He represents clients...
Kathy K. Smith was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1996. She has represented local and national clients in all types of litigation, including mass torts, intellectual property, commercial, personal injury, insurance, products liability, medical malpractice, and environmental matters. She has defended manufacturers of lead paint, mobile homes, and heavy equipment. She has defended an employer involved in extensive PCB litigation and an insurance company sued in asbestos litigation. She has ...
Thomas A. Barnard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Environmental and Mediation. Thomas A., who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
D. Bart Turner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. D. Bart, 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 D. Bart is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Litigation partner Kate Campbell handles environmental, toxic tort and class action litigation and Superfund and RCRA remediation matters*. Since joining the firm in 2003, she has developed considerable experience in defending complex toxic tort claims for personal injury, wrongful death, medical monitoring and property damage, in representing potentially responsible parties across the country in CERCLA and RCRA matters, and in litigating federal, state and private enforcement actions under a...
P. Derek Petersen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Environmental. P. Derek, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which P. Derek is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Max Zygmont has a broad-based litigation, enforcement defense, and compliance counseling practice. He combines strength in core environmental programs with a firm grasp of emerging environmental issues. Max routinely advises clients regarding the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Superfund. Max's work in these areas has taken place at both the state and federal levels and in all contexts, from transactions and permi...
Jon Shoebotham focuses his practice on product liability, environmental litigation, commercial litigation, pharmaceutical, and medical device litigation. Three of the cases he has tried to jury verdict have been selected by The National Law Journal as among the most significant defense verdicts in the United States. He is a member of the Texas and New York state bars and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Ct. of App., Fifth Circuit; U.S. Dist. Ct., E. Dist. Texas; U.S. Dist. Ct., N. Dist...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.