This attorney has been selected for the recognitions listed on this page, which have been conferred by the corresponding publications and/or organizations noted. A description of the selection methodology for this recognition can be found at https://www.gibbonslaw.com/awards. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Mr. Freeman has over 35 years of experience representing buyers, sellers, and developers of contaminated properties, as well as both plaintiffs and defendants in Superfund and other litigation regarding the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. He is a frequent author and speaker on environmental law topics. He is the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the New York City Brownfield Partnership and a 2012 Burton Award as “an outstanding law firm author.” His extensive bar association and pro bono activities include service as President of the New York City Brownfield Partnership, Vice Chair of the New York State League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Co-Chair of the New York State Bar Association Environmental Law Section Committee of Hazardous Waste/Site Cleanup, and Special Legal Counsel to the United Nations Environment Programme for North American Environmental Affairs.
Mr. Freeman is listed in the Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and New York Super Lawyers. Chambers has quoted clients as saying of Mr. Freeman, “[He is] the dean of the New York environmental Bar and a very effective negotiator,”… “Has many strengths, including excellent analysis of issues, understanding of government agencies, client service and the ability to achieve the best outcome”… “He is a good negotiator who never loses his cool and always stays focused on what’s important.”
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Freeman served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Frank E. Moss (D-Utah) and a trial attorney at the Federal Trade Commission. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees cum laude from Harvard University. He is a member of the New York, Massachusetts, and District of Columbia bars.
Mr. Freeman’s practice focuses on:
- Representation of buyers, sellers, and developers of brownfields and other contaminated properties and of parties engaged in hazardous waste cleanups
- Litigation related to remediation, cost recovery, property damage, and exposure to toxic substances
- Conducting and/or supervising environmental due diligence
- Counseling with respect to environmental insurance issues
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude)
Harvard University (B.A., cum laude)
Professional Admissions
State of New York
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
District of Columbia
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of the United States
Professional Activities
Director and Past President, New York City Brownfield Partnership
Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees, New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Environmental Law & Practice (West), 1998-2000
Board of Advisors, Real Estate / Environmental Liability News
American Bar Association
Section on Environment, Energy and Resource Law
New York State Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
Co-Chair, Committee on Hazardous Waste
Co-Chair, Brownfields Task Force
Co-Founder, U.S. TAG ISO 14000 Legal Issues Forum
Civic/Charitable Activities
Vice Chair and Member, Board of Directors, New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Member, Board of Directors, The New Jewish Home
Chair, Village of Mamaroneck (New York) Committee for the Environment
Town of Mamaroneck (New York) Planning Board, 1990-1992
Board of Directors, Mamaroneck-Larchmont Student Aid Fund, 1984-1988
Legal Employment
2000-2012: Chair of New York Environmental Practice, Paul Hastings LLP
1994-2000: Chair of Environmental Department, Battle Fowler LLP
1981-1994: Head of Environmental Law Group, Holtzmann, Wise & Shepard, New York, N.Y.
1977-1981: Ginsburg, Feldman and Bress, Washington, D.C.
1975-1977: Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C.
1970-1972: Office of Senator Frank E. Moss, United States Senate, Washington, D.C.