Harkawik, Dennis P.
Dennis P. Harkawik is a partner in the Firm's Environmental practice group. He is also a member of the Firm's Economic & Land Development practice group. For 30 years, Mr. Harkawik has practiced environmental law and brings significant experience in complex environmental matters including environmental litigation, permitting and enforcement proceedings before federal, state and local regulatory agencies and courts.
During his career, Mr. Harkawik has successfully represented clients in Superfund litigation in federal and state courts and obtained necessary permits and approvals for controversial large solid and hazardous waste management facilities, public utility and energy projects, industrial facilities and commercial developments. In late 2007, he completed a private cost recovery action trial that lasted eight weeks. He is awaiting a decision in the matter, which seeks over $5 million in past costs and millions more in future costs. In 1998 he successfully represented a defendent in the first known CERCLA litigation tried before a jury. He has also counseled industrial and utility clients on compliance matters, including recent developments under the Clean Air Act Amendments, and co-edited a book entitled The New Clean Air Act: Compliance and Opportunity. In 1989, Mr. Harkawik successfully overturned New York State's hazardous waste regulations before the New York Court of Appeals, and subsequently negotiated new regulations with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation which was the first significant negotiated rulemaking in New York. He has also negotiated numerous consent orders, consent decrees and settlement agreements.
Education:
New York University School of Engineering (B.Ch.E., 1972, M.Ch.E., 1974); New York University School of Public Administration (M.P.A., 1974); State University of New York at Buffalo (J.D., cum laude, 1979).
Experience:
Mr. Harkawik practices before the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Environmental Protection Agency, State Environmental Agencies, FERC & State Public Utilities Commissions. He also worked at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (1974-1976) prior to attending law school.
Practice AreaEnvironmental Law; Public Utility Law; Administrative Law