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Matthew Coglianese

Matt Coglianese practices in the areas of environmental, governmental and regulatory law, as well as sustainable development. As part of his environmental law practice, Mr. Coglianese has broad experience with a wide range of federal and state enforcement matters, focusing on Clean Water Act and wetlands issues, CERCLA and RCRA, as well as state and local environmental matters, including mold and toxic tort litigation. Prior to entering the private practice of law, Mr. Coglianese served as an Assistant Regional Counsel with the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Atlanta, Georgia. As senior attorney with a major Los Angeles-based petroleum company, he was responsible for managing numerous Superfund and state hazardous waste sites throughout the country.

Mr. Coglianese has written extensively on environmental law topics. His work has been published in journals and books including an article that will be published in December 2010 on potential natural resource damages related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Matt also lectures frequently on environmental topics.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Involved in complex environmental litigation involving the Everglades.
  • Successfully defeated a motion to intervene in federal court by major municipality seeking to thwart a long-negotiated Superfund settlement between 52 clients and the United States.
  • Serves as group counsel for potentially responsible parties at state and federal hazardous waste sites
  • Negotiated favorable settlement and dismissal of federal RCRA administrative enforcement action brought by the United States Environmental Protection Agency against automobile recycler.
  • Developed reasonable cleanup plans with applicable regulatory agencies and negotiated the sale of several industrial properties that were impacted by pollutants.
  • Negotiated RCRA Administrative settlements for a south Florida municipality for leased airport property as well as for an automobile recycler in north Florida.
  • Represent major petroleum company before EPA and the Florida DEP in enforcement and cleanup actions regarding contaminated sites.
  • Lead counsel in first trial in federal court in the Florida Upper Keys rental agency in case involving contamination caused at a car rental facility in the Keys.
  • Prevailed on environmental claims on summary judgment and contractual counterclaims at trial as the lead counsel for a window manufacturing facility in action against prior owner for costs related to remediating paint waste contamination. Also prevailed in a motion for attorney’s fees.
  • Defended photographic film recycling business in toxic tort action for alleged injuries and property damage caused by cyanide.
  • Represented major international petroleum company in cleanup of acidic and petroleum contamination at aluminum extrusion facility.
  • Conducted due diligence efforts for state transportation department of railway corridor to be acquired for new commuter train service. Defended international corporate successor to seller of thermometer manufacturing facility in action brought in federal court by subsequent purchaser, obtaining a favorable result at mediation.
  • Developed testing and risk assessment protocol for individuals potentially exposed to benzene in drinking water at public facility with partner and medical toxicologist.
  • Represented national pest control business in obtaining amnesty and costs for addressing contamination caused by leaking underground storage tanks.
  • Investigated historical waste handling practices at former manufactured gas plant site, including interviewing of witnesses and depositions.
  • Defended national dry cleaner in state court against County action for alleged contamination of residential property owners' wells.
  • Assisted state transportation department with investigation and cleanup of historical landfill under RCRA regulations.
  • Co-wrote initial brownfields legislation for the State of Florida.