Capitalizing on his environmental sciences background, Tom helps clients develop projects and grow their businesses by ensuring they have the proper environmental permits and protections. He routinely advises renewable energy and pipeline project developers, investors, and other clients on environmental-permitting and transactional due-diligence matters to identify and manage environmental risks through all appropriate inquires, indemnification, permit transfers, and other risk- management strategies. He also counsels museums, brokers, and other importers of wildlife and wildlife specimens regarding the complexities of US and international wildlife law and, when necessary, prepares petitions for remission to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Tom also focuses on protecting clients facing enforcement actions or litigation, using his significant environmental experience to advise clients on compliance matters, discuss and negotiate civil and criminal penalties with the NYSDEC and other environmental agencies, cross-collaborate with the firm’s litigators on case strategy, and prepare persuasive arguments concerning environmental claims and defenses. He routinely advises clients on compliance and enforcement matters involving petroleum bulk storage and the Clean Water Act, and has defended clients in numerous CERCLA cases, many of which were settled without litigation or successfully dismissed.