MIAMI and PHILADELPHIA – May 1, 2015 – Kerri L. Barsh and David G. Mandelbaum, co-chairs of the Environmental Practice at international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, were selected as National Law Journal’s Energy & Environmental Trailblazers. The inaugural publication recognizes 50 top legal professionals who have “moved the needle” in the energy or environmental industry.
Barsh, based in Miami, is recognized for her pioneering work in floating infrastructure, which included her 2012 argument before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding a landmark admiralty jurisdiction matter. The Court’s decision in Jan. 2013 to treat Barsh’s client’s floating home as real estate made larger projects within the industry a reality. Currently, Barsh is lead counsel on a large self-sustaining luxury floating home community on the Amillarah Private Islands in Florida.
Barsh represents public and private clients on an array of environmental regulatory, permitting and litigation matters, including transactional support and due diligence, environmental assessment and liability matters, energy and infrastructure projects, wetlands and coastal permitting, complex land use projects, air quality matters, hazardous materials contamination, and other compliance and enforcement cases.
Mandelbaum, based in Philadelphia, received this recognition for his Superfund work. His contributions to one of the largest contaminated sediment sites in the nation altered the U.S. government’s enforcement strategy. The court’s decision resulted in the government’s reliance on orders and coercive litigation where Superfund money cannot be spent. Mandelbaum continues this unique work in several matters, including the Fox River Site in Wisconsin.
Mandelbaum represents clients in Superfund matters, particularly contaminated sediment and natural resource damage issues. He represents natural gas exploration and production companies, midstream providers, and landowner coalitions in connection with development of the Marcellus Shale and other natural gas resources. He regularly handles permit appeals and citizen suits under the water pollution, air pollution and solid waste laws.