Ms. Elizabeth Knauer

Elizabeth’s broad litigation experience includes various matters relating to environmental contamination and claims for recovery of associated costs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the New York State Navigation Law, and other statutes; environmental permitting standards; administrative law; and contractual provisions. She has litigated at the trial court and appellate level in both state and federal courts for nearly two decades. She frequently defends land use and other determinations made by municipal and state agencies when legal challenges are filed on environmental grounds.

Elizabeth’s practice also focuses on environmental impact assessment and litigation under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). She has advised both governmental and private clients on the environmental assessment of, and other environmental issues related to, projects ranging from major transportation projects to small affordable housing developments.

Elizabeth advises clients with respect to environmental permitting and enforcement actions, and negotiates on their behalf with governmental agencies. She has helped secure federal and state permits for waterfront work for a variety of development projects as well as industrial operators.