Freeborn Launches Environmental Law & Toxic Torts Practice Group

Freeborn & Peters LLP announced the formation of its Environmental Law & Toxic Torts Practice Group.

Headed by Philip Comella, the group focuses on emerging – and long-standing – issues in environmental law and toxic torts, with concentrations in the areas of waste disposal and treatment, recycling, PCBs, enforcement and defense, and environmental clean-ups, the firm said in a release. Comella, who began his career working in-house for a major waste-management company and then spent 22 years at a large law firm, recently joined the firm in May as a partner.

The firm’s release continues:

“As more awareness is brought to the impact that industry has on the environment, we are seeing increased litigation and regulatory scrutiny in this area,” said Michael A. Moynihan, Co-Managing Partner. “We believe our clients will benefit greatly from the depth of experience of this new group, including the vast knowledge that Phil Comella brings to the firm.”

Freeborn’s Environmental Law & Toxic Torts Practice Group consists of a diverse group of environmental law practitioners whose skills range from the traditional areas – such as Superfund, hazardous and solid waste, PCBs, and Brownfields – to emerging areas – such as naturally occurring radioactive materials, landfill gas, vapor intrusion and electronic waste. The attorneys also possess hard-to-find experience in the zoning and permitting of waste disposal and treatment facilities, the nuances of landfill gas projects, PCB clean-ups, and the intricacies of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

“I am pleased to call the talented attorneys at Freeborn my colleagues,” Mr. Comella said. “Our team strives to approach environmental matters as business issues to be resolved as opposed to ends in themselves. We believe that taking a real-world, practical approach to solving environmental problems is the best way to serve the interests of our clients.”

Other attorneys who serve as members of the new Environmental Law & Toxic Torts Practice Group include, Robert M. Baratta Jr., Gerald P. Callaghan, Ryan G. Rudich, Randall G. Vickery and Ann M. Zwick.