Thomas is a Partner in the firm’s Environment, Energy, and Land Use & Economic Development Practices with nearly 30 years practicing law in the public and private sectors. He offers a unique perspective to clients, having served as the highest legal representative for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for almost a decade as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel.
Tom has a deep understanding of the inner workings and nuances of environmental matters, offering clients a distinct advantage when navigating complex State and Federal regulatory landscapes, which allows him to guide clients so they are positioned for the most positive outcomes.
During his tenure with the DEC, Tom was involved in the drafting and implementation of New York’s signature climate legislation – the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA). He was involved in the drafting and implementation of the Environmental Justice Siting Law, State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) regulations, as well as drafting and overseeing the development of a myriad of Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) applicable to New York State legislative and regulatory changes.
He also provided guidance to clients on the development of renewable energy projects, ranging from small-scale installations to large utility-scale ventures. These key energy issues include the interplay of associated regulations and programmatic matters, such as:
- Clean Water Act and New York’s State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) program
- Coastal Erosion Hazard Area (CEHA) and stream disturbance issues (including storm response procedures)
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Clean Air Act, solid waste, and State land issues (including acquisition and management)
- protection of Natural Resources
- wetland regulations, endangered species, Brownfields, and Superfund sites
- energy project siting and development matters
- white collar environmental issues
Tom has been legal counsel for some of the largest developments in New York State, including the proposed Micron chip fab facility and the Mario Cuomo Bridge project. He also worked extensively with Federal and State partners on various aspects of legal matters, allowing him to leverage his background to assist clients in understanding the best path forward.
Thomas has presented for numerous organizations on environmental-centered topics, including:
- Keynote Speaker, Sediment Symposium: Remediation and Restoration of Sediment Sites
- Panelist, New York State Bar Association 2023/24 Environment Conservation Update
- Keynote Speaker, New York State Bar Association Luncheon: “To Drink or Not to Drink: Clean Water Litigation Trends in NY”
- Panelist, New York City Bar Association New York Environmental Law in Review 2017, 2020, 2023, 2024
