Former Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Environmental Protection Bureau Joins Gibbons

Matthew J. Sinkman, most recently an Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau, has joined Gibbons P.C. as Counsel in the firm’s Environmental Group, resident in the New York office.

In his role as Assistant AG, Mr. Sinkman was active in such matters as Superfund litigation; litigation against manufacturers of firefighting foam and suppliers of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), seeking in excess of $50 million for contamination at 69 sites in New York; leadership and coordination with other states on discovery and strategy regarding firefighting foam litigation; the creation of a multistate coalition regarding PFAS; and litigation against an international organization to compensate New York State for flooding damages.

At Gibbons, Mr. Sinkman joins one of the region’s top-tier environmental practices, comprising talented attorneys with decades of experience in both the public and private sectors and strong working ties to regulatory agencies. His record of achievement and name recognition in New York will further raise the Gibbons Environmental Group’s profile in the New York market and expand the scope and reach of the firm’s New York-based environmental litigation, compliance, permitting, redevelopment, and transactional practices.

Prior to joining the Environmental Protection Bureau, Mr. Sinkman was in private practice in New York City. He also served as law clerk to the Honorable Richard Owen of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. In addition, Mr. Sinkman is a member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Environmental & Energy Law Section and has served on environmental law panels for programs hosted by both the NYSBA and the New York City Bar Association. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Boston University School of Law.

According to David J. Freeman, who leads the firm’s environmental practice in New York,
“Matt brings to our practice a deep, substantive knowledge of environmental law, outstanding experience litigating environmental law issues, and a firsthand understanding of the workings of governmental agencies in interpreting, administering, and enforcing environmental law. He will be a valuable addition to our team and a great resource for our clients.”

“Matt’s experience with and insight into the governmental side of environmental law and litigation, his impressive career in private practice, and his bar association engagement with wide-ranging environmental law topics not only perfectly complement our Environmental Group’s practice but also position it for real growth, particularly in New York,” says Camille V. Otero, Chair of the Gibbons Environmental Group.