Christina Sartorio Ku

Christina Ku practices in Connell Foley’s Environmental Law group, where she applies a background in biological sciences and environmental regulation to a wide range of complex environmental matters. In particular, Christina advises on environmental litigation involving CERCLA, the New Jersey Spill Act, the New York Navigation Law, ISRA/ECRA, and RCRA; regulatory enforcement and compliance matters involving hazardous waste and site remediation; and federal and state cost recovery and contribution claims.

Christina also works with clients as well as state and federal regulators to resolve land use issues such as those related to permitting, waterfront development and public access easements. Christina also advises clients as to potential environmental concerns or issues related to prior or current property operations. Christina also advises clients as to potential environmental concerns or issues related to prior or current property operations.

Prior to joining the firm, Christina served as a law clerk to the Honorable David F. Bauman, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, Civil Division, Monmouth County, for the 2012-2013 term. While in law school she contributed her time to the William and Mary Law Review, served as the William & Mary Law Property Fellow, worked as a research assistant to Professor Lynda Butler and interned at the Pennsylvania DEP.

Representative Experience

• Represents a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) in a CERCLA and NRD enforcement matter and federal contribution and cost recovery litigation relating to the Passaic River and Newark Bay.
• Represented a corporate property owner in connection with claims for remediation costs related to a prior property owner’s historical operations.
• Represented private property owners in connection with federal and state litigation to challenge a municipality’s use of eminent domain in order to obtain a proposed public access easement.
• Represented a private landowner in challenging an adverse decision by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and in the subsequent settlement negotiations with the agency for the ultimate granting of a Waterfront Development permit.
• Represented the Special Master in the enforcement of court ordered injunction against Honeywell.
• Represents private property owners in connection with appeals of denials of land use permits.
• Represented corporate clients in the assessment of potential environmental issues related to the purchase of property.
• Represents a PRP in a CERCLA and New York Navigation Law action for cost recovery and contribution claims.
• Represented a public utility company in the defense of Spill Act action related to the alleged discharge from underground piping during a municipality-led road project. Matter was successfully resolved through settlement.
• Represents a municipality in the pursuit of CERCLA, Spill Act, and common law claims regarding the discharge and remediation of hazardous substances on a public park.
• Represents a corporate entity in a dispute before the International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration pursuing breach of contract claims.
• Represented a client in the pursuit of a claim for the breach of a sports contract. Matter was resolved with a successful arbitration award.
• Represents a corporate client in the interpretation and assessment of regulatory requirements for the solicitation and evaluation of offshore wind projects.
• Represents a corporate property owner and developer in connection with ongoing remediation and potential direct oversight by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
• Represents a property owner and developer in the defense of breach of contract claims related to the sale of property.
• Represents a property owner and developer in connection with the development of oceanfront property, the acquisition of required permits, and the interpretation of regulatory requirements/limitations.
• Represents a property owner and developer in connection with the acquisition of a permit modification for a residential development project.
• Represents a property owner and developer in challenging the denial of a flood hazard area permit for a mixed used development project.

^{Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.}

Professional and Community Affiliations

• Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) – Environmental Business Council
  • Steering Committee Member for Water & Land Use and Chemicals & Petroleum Sections
• New Jersey Society of Women Environmental Professionals (NJSWEP) – Member
• Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast (BCONE) - Member
• New Jersey Business and Industry Association
  • Member of Energy and Environment Policy Committee
  • NJBIA Women Business Leaders Council

Chambers USA (2021, 2022)

• Environmental Law - New Jersey

Best Lawyers in America (2023)

• Ones to Watch - Environmental - Litigation

New Jersey Law Journal, "New Leaders of the Bar" (2022)

New Jersey Super Lawyers, Rising Stars (2022)


_{Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.}