Scott M. Press
Associate
Scott M. Press focuses his practice on complex litigation involving environmental law and land use, representing clients in environmental litigation claims, regulatory and compliance counseling, and enforcement. Scott provides clients with an in-depth knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water Act, and others. He routinely handles complex environmental litigation matters, as well as regulatory enforcement and compliance matters including hazardous waste, site remediation and federal and state cost recovery and contribution claims. He also litigates matters involving contamination and exposure to chemicals and substances such as lead, PFAs, 1,4-Dioxane, TCE, and mold, and advises clients in environmental due diligence related to the purchase and sale of commercial property.
Scott also has experience litigating high stakes business disputes involving bankruptcy, trade secret, and breach of contract matters, as well as counseling clients through stock purchases, business formation, shareholder/partnership agreements, and trademark issues, all drawing on insight form his extensive background in environmental law. He has experience in all stages of litigation, including discovery, mediation, arbitration, trial, and appeal.
Prior to entering private practice, Scott served as a clerk to the Honorable Arnold L. Natali, Jr. in the Superior Court of New Jersey for the 2013–14 term. While in law school, Scott contributed his time as an editor on the Rutgers Law Review and served as a teaching assistant in Legal Research and Writing. Scott was also a Pro Bono Award Recipient for his volunteer work with the Rutgers Street Law program.
Experience Highlights
- Represented client conglomerate of multiple entities and individuals in a multi-million-dollar commercial/environmental matter involving alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and various state law claims involving alleged illegal dumping of hazardous waste and violations of corporate lease and sublease
- Represented a borough in a cost-recovery action seeking millions of dollars in response costs against contractors/entities alleged to have disposed of hazardous fill materials on a public park in violation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), New Jersey Spill Act, consumer fraud, and other statutory and common law claims
- Successfully defended professional liability claims alleged against an environmental engineer based upon statute of limitations defense related to tolling agreement, affirmed in Appellate Division, and successfully advocated for denial of petition for certification to New Jersey Supreme Court
- Successfully defended numerous claims involving alleged liability for response costs pertaining to contamination arising out of damaged Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
- Represented property owner in response to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC) pursuit of costs to remediate 1,4-Dioxane and PFAs in groundwater aquifer
- Represented an international corporation in misappropriation of trade secret claims stemming from successor liability arising out of acquisition of predecessor corporation in bankruptcy
- Represented catastrophic claims insurer in multi-million-dollar breach of contract claim for damage to commercial property, and in pursuit of counterclaims and third-party claims for various fraud-related theories of recovery
- Defended multinational timeshare chain in breach of contract actions
- Munters Corp. v. Enviro-Scis. (of Del.) Inc., 2018 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 907 (App. Div. 2018), denied 2018 LEXIS 966 (2018)
- AMA Realty LLC v. 9440 Fairview Ave. LLC, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 212482 (D.N.J. Dec. 28, 2017)
- AMA Realty LLC v. 9440 Fairview Ave. LLC, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 212483 (D.N.J. Dec. 28, 2017)
- AMA Realty LLC v. 9440 Fairview Ave. LLC, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 212485 (D.N.J. Dec. 28, 2017)
Honors & Awards
New York Metro Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2020
Admissions
- New Jersey
- New York
- U. S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
Education
- Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., 2013
- Rutgers Law Review: Editor
- Pennsylvania State University, B.A., 2009
Professional Affiliations
- Westchester County Bar Association
- Chair, Environmental Law Committee, 2019-20
- New York State Bar Association
- New Jersey State Bar Association
Publications & Events
- Contributor, Goldberg Segalla’s Environmental Law Monitor blog: read Scott’s blog posts here
- “Justices’ Biofuel Exemption Ruling Boosts Small Refineries,” (Author), Law360, July 20, 2021
- CLM National: May 2021,” CLM Magazine, May 7, 2021
- “What NYC Climate Case Dismissal Means for Baltimore Suit,” (Author), Law360, April 30, 2021
-
“New York Takes Next Step in Nation-Leading Offshore Wind Efforts,” DRI Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Newsletter, December 3, 2020
- “How Justices’ Baltimore Ruling May Affect Other Climate Suits,” Law360, November 4, 2020
- “Regulation, Litigation, and the Effect of the Presidential Election” (Co-Author), DRI Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Newsletter, June 2020
- “New York State Sets the Bar High for Fracking” (Co-Author), ABA Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Committee Newsletter, Spring 2020
- “NY Should Reject Bill That Would Permanently Ban Fracking” (Co-Author), Law360, March 9, 2020
- “NY, NJ Offshore Wind Bids Buoy State-Level Renewables Push,” Law360, December 13, 2019
- “Barnett and Press Discuss Funding Options to Prevent Drinking Water Crises,” New Jersey Law Journal, July 2016
- “Environmental Liabilities: Hot Topics and Trends Facing Insureds” (Co-Presenter), February 20, 2020
- “President Biden’s Environmental Agenda: How His Strategy to Address Environmental Issues Can Impact You and Your Business,” (Co-Presenter), March 11, 2021