Based in the Long Island office, Sami arrives to the firm’s nationally recognized Environmental team—part of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice—with wide-ranging experience negotiating environmental provisions in loan agreements, commercial contracts, and purchase agreements, as well as brownfield considerations and the use of environmental insurance. She also represents lenders nationally on the environmental aspects of commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) transactions and advises buyers and sellers on transactions involving contaminated properties.
“Sami has a very clear understanding of the environmental issues our clients face today, and her blend of transactional and litigation backgrounds will be very valuable for our clients,” said Christopher Froeb, Nixon Peabody partner and leader of the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice. “She brings an innovative approach with both clients and colleagues, and we are thrilled to have Sami join the team.”
Sami’s litigation practice focuses on representing clients in private disputes regarding environmental liability in regulatory enforcement actions under federal, state, and local Superfund, petroleum cleanup, brownfield, and lead paint laws. She also represents property owners with respect to cleanup costs for contaminated properties and insurance companies involved in environmental coverage disputes. Sami has defended clients in enforcement actions brought by the Department of Justice for violations of the Clean Air Act, worked with nonprofit organizations with respect to New York City’s lead laws, and advised on international contaminated property cleanup laws.
“While part of the national team, Sami also brings a highly sought-after practice focus to our office,” said Allan Cohen, managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s Long Island office. “Our region includes some of the country’s top businesses, universities, research centers, and healthcare institutions, all of which can encounter the need for environmental counsel as they innovate and grow.”
Mark will work across the firm’s national Environmental team. He has more than 15 years of legal experience and has spent more than 15 years as a professional engineer, helping clients successfully resolve complex environmental matters regarding air, water, and waste, as well as related compliance issues. Mark is an experienced negotiator at the local, state, federal, and international levels, with projects in more than 20 states and multiple countries.
Nixon Peabody’s Environmental team uses its collective experience across legal, scientific, and engineering disciplines to help clients spot and avoid present and potential environmental issues before they become significant problems.
Sami earned her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, cum laude, and her B.A. from Touro College, magna cum laude. Her pro bono work earned her recognition as a New York State Bar Association Empire State Counsel Honoree. She is also a member of the Commercial Real Estate Financial Council, the New York City Brownfield Partnership, and the ASTM E 1527 Task Force.
Mark earned his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law, his M.S. from the University of Pittsburgh, and his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
