Eric Lukingbeal is a partner in the Environmental and Utilities Practice Group. In the 1980s, he was chair of the firm's Litigation Section. His practice involves environmental litigation, predominantly Superfund, toxic torts, environmental contamination, enforcement defense, citizen suits under the Clean Water Act, and public trust matters. He has tried jury and court cases in Connecticut state and federal courts since 1974. Mr. Lukingbeal cowrote the Connecticut chapter of the Environmental Law Practice Guide (Matthew Bender, 1993), and he was a member of the advisory panel appointed by the American Arbitration Association in Connecticut to establish rules for mediation and arbitration in environmental matters. He has written several articles on mediation, including "Environmental Mediation: Advantages for Parties and Insurers," a Claims Forum for the American Arbitration Association in 1997, and "The Magic of Mediation," published in the Yankee Oilman in 1996. Mr. Lukingbeal is a special master for the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Mr. Lukingbeal was counsel for the railroad in the leading case of Andrews v. Metro North Commuter Railroad, 882 F.2d 705 (2d Cir. 1989), which set important limitations on the use of so-called forensic engineers as expert witnesses. He was also counsel for an environmental engineer in Bernbach v. Timex Corp., 989 F. Supp. 403 (D. Conn. 1997). This case limits the claims that can be asserted against environmental engineers by third parties. He represented the successful plaintiff in an agricultural nuisance claim, which resulted in the Connecticut Supreme Court revising the common law of nuisance. Pestey v. Cushman, 259 Conn. 345 (1999). Professional Associations - Connecticut Bar Association (CBA), Environmental Section, 1990 to present - American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1998 to present - CBA, Executive Committee of the Planning and Zoning Section, 1980 to 1990 Community Involvement - Connecticut Forest and Park Association, Vice President - Holcomb Farm, West Granby, Connecticut, President - Granby Planning and Zoning Commission Honors and Awards - AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated in Martindale-Hubbell™ in the areas of Environmental Law; Zoning, Planning and Land Use Law; Litigation; Toxic Torts; and Nuisance Odor Litigation (Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings is a trademark. AV Preeminent is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc.) - Listed in Connecticut Super Lawyers® in the area of Environmental Litigation since 2006 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.) Experience - Representation of Fortune 500 company in $250 million, 400-member class action in Colorado state court involving claims of indoor air, groundwater and soil contamination. Matter settled for less than 10 percent of original claim. - Representation as lead counsel in defending a drum recycling company in a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act action in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island concerning the Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund site in North Providence, Rhode Island. The Superfund site includes a nine-acre peninsula where various entities operated a chemical manufacturing facility and the client operated a drum reconditioning facility. The principal containment of concern is dioxin. Estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exceed $100 million. - Representation of a concrete manufacturer, who also sold crushed traprock. Representation for extensive federal court litigation involving environmental (RCRA citizens suit) and wetlands issues, as well as NPDES permitting. News 3.19.08, Robinson & Cole Partner Speaks at Fairfield County Bar Association Seminar Military - U.S. Army Veteran (1967-1970) |