Photo of Steve  Barnett

Steve Barnett

Partner

Overview

For more than 20 years, Steve Barnett has represented clients concerned with health, safety and environment, in transactions, court proceedings, and regulatory permitting and compliance matters. Having devoted his career to the environment, Steve is admitted and practices in three of the leading jurisdictions in the country for environmental law and regulation: California, New Jersey, and New York.

Prior to his legal career, Steve practiced as a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Industrial Hygienist and obtained a Master of Science in Public Health, Industrial Hygiene Emphasis. He also proudly served as Captain, United States Air Force, Bioenvironmental Engineer.

Known for excellent legal and business judgment, meticulous attention to detail, and creative problem-solving skills, Steve is a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is capable of independent work, while also excelling in team collaboration. He is adaptable and willing to tackle new environmental and/or legal challenges.

Certifications

  • Professional Engineer, New Jersey Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
  • Registered Patent Attorney, United States Patent & Trademark Office
  • Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), American Board of Industrial Hygiene

Experience

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances

Mergers & Acquisitions

Leverage technical and legal expertise to identify and negotiate environmental, energy and other business terms of deals and translate and draft business terms as legal provisions of transaction documents.  Lead or participate in due diligence for buyers, sellers, and lenders.  Prepare and submit federal, state and foreign country regulatory filings as required for transactions.  Transactions have included the sole chrome ore processing plant in the United States; a former research and manufacturing facility redeveloped into big box and small retail use for $110 million; various transactions for a state redevelopment agency with oversight of nationally known sports, entertainment and retail complexes throughout the state; and numerous other real property and asset transactions including site remediation, solar PV and other federal, state and local land use issues, permits and approvals.

Regulatory Compliance

Senior regulatory compliance legal advisor for large and small companies, LLCs, trusts, private equity, state and local government agencies, and individuals.  Identify, research and summarize federal, state and local, and foreign country laws and regulations governing environmental, air water, waste, energy, chemical products, climate change, occupational safety and health, import/export, homeland security, transportation of hazardous substances, and almost any other regulations as they apply to clients’ issues.  Conduct audits of client businesses and facilities for environmental, health and safety compliance, including for ESG data collection, government reporting and public disclosure obligations pursuant to those laws and regulations.  Represent clients in regulatory enforcement matters in administrative law and court proceedings.    

Litigation

Represent businesses, government agencies and individuals in environmental, health and safety litigation matters in administrative venues and courts across the country.  Cases have addressed claims regarding contaminated river systems; soil and groundwater pollution; engineering and environmental professionals' professional malpractice; Agent Orange and other chemical research, testing, production, storage, and distribution facilities; and toxic tort exposure to asbestos, benzene and numerous other specific chemical compounds.  Sought after for a unique combination of technical and legal expertise allowing seamless coordination of expert witness reports and testimony with points of law in support of clients’ claims and defenses.

Activities

Professional and Community Affiliations 

  • Co-chair, Chemical Marketing & Economics, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to accelerating diverse STEM talent and leadership for sustainable innovation in energy, materials and life sciences.
  • Vice Chair, Written Content, Science and Technology Committee, American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources.
  • New Jersey State Industrial Safety Committee, appointed by New Jersey Department of Labor Commissioner pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:6A-15.
  • Executive Committee, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Alumni Association New Jersey Section
  • American Society for Testing & Materials, Subcommittee E50.02 on Real Estate Assessment and Management
  • Former Co-chair, OSHA/New Jersey Industrial Communication Alliance
  • Former Public Defender, Borough of Glen Ridge
  • Past President, New Jersey Section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association
  • Former Chairman, New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers Professional Conduct Committee
  • California (CLA), New Jersey (NJSBA), and New York (NYSBA) State Bar Associations
    • CLA, NJSBA, NYSBA Environmental Law Section
    • NJSBA Business Law Section, Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) and Environmental Issues Committee

Published Decisions

  • Sandy Hook Watermans Alliance, Inc. v. N.J. Sports & Exposition Auth., Civ. Action No.: 11‐813 (FLW), United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 79488, July 20, 2011
  • State v. Elementis Chemical, Inc., 152 N.H. 794 (2005)
  • Elementis Chemicals, Inc. v. TH Agriculture and Nutrition, L.L.C. et al., 373 F.Supp.2d 257 (S.D.N.Y. 2005)
  • Carvalho v. Toll Bros. & Devel., 143 N.J. 565 (1996) (Amicus Curiae)

Presentations

  • Presenter, "Environmental Claims Symposium: Navigating Challenges and Advancements"
    Jersey City, NJ (November 2023)

  • Co-presenter, "2023 Northeast Sustainable Communities Workshop
    Worcester, MA" (September 2023)

  • Co-chair, "2023 CME NASA Sustainability Conference," Chemical Marketing & Economics, Inc. (CME) and NASA, San Francisco, CA (August 2023)
  • Co-presenter, “AFFF Use Complicates Pollution Claims: Regulations, Forensics, Clean-up Costs”
    Philadelphia, PA (April 2023)

  • Co-chair, "2022 CME NASA Sustainability Conference," Chemical Marketing & Economics, Inc. (CME) and NASA, Chicago, IL (August 2022)
  • Moderator, “Forever Chemicals in California,” California Lawyers Association (July 2022)
  • Speaker, "Environmental Risks & Pollution Conditions at Airports: Risk Mitigation & Clean-Up of Emerging Contaminants" NEC/AAAE) Chapter’s Annual Airports Conference (March 2022)
  • Speaker, “New Jersey Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) Program Implications for Insurers – Ethical, Technical, & Legal Considerations” First Environment and Connell Foley (January 2022)
  • Speaker, "PFAS: Background, Issues, and Treatment Technologies” Webinar; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Office of Continuing Education (June 2021)
  • Speaker, "PFAS: Background, Issues, and Treatment Technologies” Webinar; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Office of Continuing Education (February 2021)
  • Speaker, "Chemical Industry Contracts During and After a Pandemic," webinar; National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) (October 2020)
  • Speaker, “PFAS: Background, Issues & Treatment Technologies - The Regulatory Climate and Associated Requirements” webinar; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Office of Continuing Education (September 2020)

  • Speaker, "Privatized Remediation: Giving the Consultant the Regulator's Pen," 2019 Annual FETTI Conference; Chicago, IL (September 2019)
  • Speaker, "Legal Issues Associated with UST Leaks," First Environment's UST Claim Demonstration (June 2019)
  • Speaker, "What Every LSRP Needs to Know About the New Jersey Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board (NJ SRPLB) Rules," CPES program; Montclair, NJ (March 2019)
  • Speaker, "Attorney Ethics in Environmental Law Matters," CLE program; AIG, New York, NY (October 2018)
  • Speaker, “New Jersey Licensed Site Remediation Professional Program: Ethics & Implications for Legal & Environmental Insurance Professionals,” New Jersey City University, Jersey City, New Jersey (April 2018)
  • Speaker, “Environmental Remediation – What You Need to Know,” Connell Foley Continuing Legal Education Series (December 2017)
  • Speaker, “Environmental Remediation – What You Need to Know,” Hudson County Bar Association & Foundation (September 2017)
  • Speaker, “Legal Aspects of the Safety Profession,” New Jersey chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Professional Development Conference (May 2017)
  • Speaker, "A Crash Course in OSHA,” New Jersey Business Industry Association (March 2017)
  • Speaker, “Industrial Hygiene and State-of-the-Art in Asbestos and Toxic Tort Claims,” The National Forum for Environmental and Toxic Tort Issues,” (September 2016)
  • Speaker, “OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Legal and Regulatory Update,” Alliance of Hazardous Materials Managers and American Society of Safety Engineers, joint meeting (October 2015)
  • Speaker, "Vapor Intrusion and IAQ: Legal Case Studies in EPA and NJDEP Site Remediation," NJAIHA September Dinner Meeting (September 2015)
  • Presenter, "Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Update," CIANJ Environmental Business Council (EBC) Roundtable (bi-monthly since March 2014)
  • Speaker, "Approaches to Resolving Differences of Professional Judgment - Site Remediation," CIANJ in partnership with Montclair State University (MSU)’s Continuing Environmental Education Program (February 2015)
  • Presenter, "Top 10 USDOT Violations," National Association of Chemical Distributors," ChemEdge Conference, Dallas, Texas (August 2013)
  • Speaker, “Department of Transportation Regulations,” National Association of Chemical Distributors ChemEdge (August 2013)
  • Panelist, “Get Ready for New Jersey’s New Site Remediation Program,” New Jersey Business & Industry Association, March 7, 2012
  • Environmental Law Legal Trends presentation, Atlantic Builders Convention, Atlantic City, March 29, 2012
  • Environmental caselaw presentation, Atlantic Builders Convention, Atlantic City, April 7, 2011
  • Arranger and moderator, Pan Flu Preparedness:  Situation Update, Continuity of Operations, and OSHA Requirements, arranged and moderated session by Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Public Service Electric & Gas, PSE&G Training Center, Edison, January 12, 2010
  • Panelist, New Jersey Business & Industry Association Site Remediation Seminar, April 16, 2010
  • Arranger and moderator, Case Study: From Vision to Redevelopment - A Cooperative Approach to Revitalizing Jersey City’s West Side, Tri-State Conference, National Brownfield Association, New York City, June 4, 2009
  • Arranger and moderator, Pan Flu Preparedness:  Situation Update, Continuity of Operations, and OSHA Requirements, arranged and moderated session by Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Public Service Electric & Gas, PSE&G Training Center, Edison, December 1, 2009
  • Presenter, New Jersey Environmental Law, Connell Foley LLP Continuing Legal Education Training Session, December 2, 2009

News & Insights

News

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Honors

Best Lawyers in America (2019-2024)

  • Environmental Law
Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Practice Areas

Education

University of Colorado−Boulder  Law School (J.D., 1994)

Rutgers University School of  Law−Camden (visiting student,  1993-1994)

University of Utah (M.S., Public  Health, Industrial Hygiene  Emphasis, 1991)

United States Air Force School  of Aerospace Medicine  (Diploma, Bioenvironmental  Engineering, 1987)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute  (B.S., Aeronautical Engineering,  Minor in Economics, 1986)

Admissions

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