Dan has litigated a wide variety of cases which include numerous environmental matters, white collar defense, civil rights, and commercial matters. His litigation experience ranges from pre-trial practice in complex litigation to appellate advocacy. Dan’s extensive environmental and litigation practice has been recognized by several organizations that conduct peer evaluation of lawyers. Chambers & Partners’ survey of environmental lawyers ranks him as one of the top tier environmental lawyers in New York and notes, “No end of praise is heaped on Daniel Riesel” and, further, “Creative, forceful and dynamic, he is seen as an excellent counselor and a strong litigator who is experienced in enforcement defense, white-collar crime and civil litigation including toxic torts, as well as rulemaking challenges.” Recently, several publications have referred to him as “Dean of the environmental bar.” Similarly, Who’s Who Legal listed him as one of the most highly regarded environmental lawyers in the United States, and noted that his peers had “singled” [him] out for particular praise. Respondents commented that he is “one of the founders of environmental law.” Since 2005, New York Magazine found that Dan was one of the metropolitan area’s “Best Lawyers.”
His litigation has results in overturning Army Corps of Engineers wetland rules, vacating EPA’s promulgation of ocean dumping rules, and a dismissal of restrictions on the broad reach of RCRA Citizen Suits. He has also defeated several multi-party toxic tort suits. Dan successfully represented a municipal client in a 100-day trial involving allegations of a regulatory taking. Since 1980, he has been an active participant in numerous CERCLA administrative and judicial actions, representing various Fortune 500 corporations. His litigation has resulted in the establishment of CERCLA defenses and the recovery of significant response costs. He recently successfully represented several industrial clients charged with environmental crimes. In addition to litigations, Dan has been active in several land use projects in the metropolitan area. He was recently the lead environmental lawyer for the largest commercial and residential development in New York City. Other matters include the successful defense of three attorneys’ suspension from practice for alleged criminal contempt, and the defense of a university’s treatment of female graduate faculty.
In addition to handling trials and motion practice involving public and private issues, Dan has engaged in a great number of administrative proceedings involving the siting of energy facilities, land use and other environmental issues.
Recognition
Chambers and Partners, Senior Statesman for environmental law
U.S. News and World Report & Best Lawyers for Environmental Litigation, 2005-present
“Lawyer of the Year” in 2013, 2014 for New York Environmental Litigation
Super Lawyers, 2007-2009; 2013 to present
Who’s Who Legal, Environmental Law
Community
Captain, United States Air Force, Judge Advocate General’s Department, 1962-1966
Special Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of New York (1967-1970)
Assistant United States Attorney, Civil Division, Southern District of New York (1970-72)
Chief, Environmental Protection Unit, United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York (1972-73)
Member New York State Hudson River Study Advisory Committee (1979-1981)
Criminal Justice Panel Defense Counsel, Southern District of New York (1975-1982)
Contract Principal and Faculty, United States Environmental Protection Agency Training Program in Negotiation Skills (1980-1982)
Contract Principal and Faculty, United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Litigation Training Program (1978 to 1982)
Special Counsel, Village of Croton-on-Hudson Planning Board (1989-1992)
Member, American Bar Association
Member, New York Bar Association, Section on Environmental Law (Chair, 1999), Section on Commercial and Federal Litigation (Executive Committee)
Member, The Bar of the City of New York, Committee on Environmental Law, (Chair, 1984-87)
Regent, American College of Environmental Lawyers
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
