Mila Buckner

Mila regularly advises clients on issues involving environmental law, renewable energy, sustainable development, land use law, municipal law, and real estate development. Her experience includes drafting commercial agreements relating to the purchase and supply of power, electric interconnection, and other energy-related transactions. Mila also regularly advises clients on how to maximize state and federal incentives to lower project cost. In addition, she has an in-depth understanding of New York real property tax law as it relates to renewable energy projects.

Mila works on all aspects of renewable development from project inception through successful litigation. This includes trouble shooting permitting and zoning issues by analyzing site conditions during project design and providing strategic representation at sticking points in the approvals process.

Mila also helps clients in the cannabis industry navigate the licensing and regulatory approvals for all aspects of operation in New York State. In addition, Mila assists clients in the food and beverage industry with USDA and FDA compliance. 

Before joining Hodgson Russ, Mila practiced Energy Regulatory Law with a firm in San Francisco. While in California, she represented and advised clients on energy regulatory matters and proceedings before state and federal agencies, including the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. With a particular focus on public utility regulation, Mila advised utilities, lenders, and developers regarding the regulatory and environmental challenges associated with the development and acquisition of utility-scale renewable energy projects including electric vehicle infrastructure, energy storage and solar photovoltaic.

While in law school Mila worked as a judicial extern for Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye of the California Supreme Court.

Mila is admitted to practice in California and New York.

• USF Law Review, Senior Editor
• Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye, California Supreme Court, Judicial Extern
• Publication: The Coastal Zone Management Act’s Capacity to Spearhead Climate Adaptation, West-Northwest Journal of Environmental Law and Policy

• Environmental Law Section: California Lawyers Association
• Environmental and Energy Law Section: New York State Bar Association

• Member, Board of Directors: New York Energy Week