Experienced Water Utility Counsel
Guiding utilities through legal complexities in New York.
Experienced Water Utility Counsel
Strategic Planning
I help water utilities develop long-term legal strategies for contamination response, cost recovery, infrastructure investment, and risk management. Drawing on three decades of experience guiding a major public water system through complex challenges, I work with utility leadership and boards to align legal strategy with operational goals and public health priorities.
Operations
I advise water utilities on the day-to-day legal issues that arise in running a public water system - from employment and labor matters to procurement, real property, and intergovernmental agreements. Having managed legal operations for a system with approximately 600 wells, hundreds of treatment facilities, and 1.2 million customers, I understand the practical realities utilities face and provide counsel that keeps operations moving efficiently and in compliance with applicable law.
Regulatory Compliance
I counsel water utilities on compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act, New York State sanitary code requirements, and emerging regulatory standards for contaminants including PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, perchlorate, and other emerging contaminants. I provide specialized legal counsel to public water suppliers on compliance with the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, the most significant revision to federal lead and copper regulations since 1991. I help utilities navigate EPA and state and county health department requirements, respond to regulatory inquiries, and develop compliance strategies that protect public health while managing costs responsibly.
Governance
I advise water utility boards and governing bodies on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, Open Meetings Law, Freedom of Information Law, and board procedures. With 30 years of experience serving as the chief legal officer to public water authority boards, I help directors, trustees, and members understand their legal obligations, navigate sensitive decisions, and maintain proper governance practices that withstand public scrutiny.
Contracts
I draft, review, and negotiate contracts for water utilities including construction agreements, vendor and service contracts, intermunicipal agreements, bulk water supply agreements, and professional services engagements. I bring practical experience with unique contracting requirements public utilities face, including competitive bidding laws, prevailing wage compliance, and public procurement requirements.
Legislation
I help water utilities develop and advance legislative strategies at the state and local level. During my career, I helped draft and successfully lobby for 13 New York State laws related to water utility operations and environmental protection, including CPLR § 214-h, which reformed the statute of limitations for contamination claims and enabled water suppliers to recover cleanup costs from polluters. I assist utilities with bill drafting, legislative advocacy, and analysis of pending legislation that may impact operations or legal rights.