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Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC announced new leadership for its environmental law group.

In a July 30 press release, the Roseland-based law firm named John Valeri Jr. as chair of the group. He joins fellow chair, Dennis Toft.

Valeri was practice group leader before his elevation to co-chair. He has more than three decades of experience providing advice regarding state and federal environmental laws and regulations, including obtaining permits and approvals involving multiple environmental media for complex projects.

Prior to joining CSG Law, Valeri served as acting general environmental counsel at PSEG. His resume also includes positions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and in former Gov. Christie Todd Whitman’s administration.

Additionally, Valeri is a nine-year member of the New Jersey Clean Air Council, including three as the group’s chair.

Toft, considered one of New Jersey’s leading environmental attorneys, said, “I had the opportunity to work with John in many of his prior positions and was thrilled when he joined our environmental team. John’s abilities are well known throughout the State and having him serve with me as Chair of our group further strengthens our ability to serve our clients while ensuring our group’s future.”

Longstanding collaborators

The firm also announced Michael Plumb as its next environmental practice group leader.

Plumb is a former chair of the environmental law section of the New Jersey State Bar Association and is an active member of both the American Bar Association Natural Resources & Environment Editorial Board and the Justice Stewart G. Pollock Environmental Inn of Court.

Plumb – who has previous experience working as an environmental consultant – primarily focuses on litigating environmental disputes. At CSG Law, he represents clients in litigation related to environmental permitting and enforcement and responsibility for discharges of hazardous substances, through all stages of litigation, including mediation, arbitration, trial and appeal.

Commenting on his new role, Plumb said, “I appreciate the opportunity to help lead the Environmental Law Group.”

“John, Dennis and I have worked together for years, and I’m looking forward to growing our group strategically to meet clients’ needs, mitigate risks and seize opportunities,” he said.

The group provides counsel to clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to individual homeowners on all aspects of environmental law, including regulatory counseling, environmental due diligence, permitting, enforcement and environmental litigation, development/redevelopment and environmental insurance.

Valeri said he was proud to join Toft as chair of the group and congratulated Plumb on his elevation to practice group leader.

He said, “The CSG Law Environmental Group does a lot of great work in the State of New Jersey and regionally, and I’m looking forward to continuing our work with this outstanding group.”

See also:

NJBIZ released the 2024 Law Power 50 on July 22. Click here to see who joined CSG Law’s Dennis Toft on the list.