Related Content
Schools
- Cornell University Law School
, J.D., 1997
- Colby College
, B.A., 1994 (Cum Laude)
Admissions
Maine; New Hampshire; New York; United States District Court for the Districts of Maine and New Hampshire; United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; United States Supreme Court.
Sigmund D. Schutz
Partner
|
| Practice Focus: | Climate Strategy, Environmental, Litigation, Media Law |
| Office: |
Portland, ME
|
| Phone: | 207.791.3000 |
| Fax: | 207.791.3111 |
| Email: | sschutz@preti.com |
| vCard: | Download Sigmund's vCard
|
Sigmund D. Schutz is an environmental lawyer blending trial, administrative, and transactional experience.
Sig's experience includes environmental litigation, environmental transactions and brownfields, defense of environmental enforcement actions by state and federal regulators, land use, construction, and complex disputes. Sig has more than a dozen reported judicial decisions to his credit, and has been primary counsel in 20 contested hearings, including jury trials, multi-week arbitrations, and hearings before administrative bodies. Sig's climate change-related experience includes the following.
- Environmental due diligence for transactions involving renewable energy resources, including wood fired power plants and hydropower assets;
- Compliance counseling and advocacy under the U.S. EPA's "Green Remediation" guidance;
- Defend environmental permit appeals before Maine Board of Environmental Protection;
- Defend land use permit appeals before municipal zoning and planning boards;
- Secure a sole source aquifer designation protecting regional groundwater resource under the Clean Water Act.
- Environmental litigation and arbitration involving alleged negligent environmental due diligence, alleged defective water treatment plant, clean-up liability, and toxic torts.
Publications
- Jonathan S. Piper & Sigmund D. Schutz, Maine's Freedom of Access Act, in OPEN GOVERNMENT GUIDE (Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press) (5th ed. 2006).
- Daniel Rapaport, Kurt Olafsen, Sigmund D. Schutz, & Jonathan Mermin, Tort Killer: Applying the Economic Loss Doctrine to Service Contracts, 20 Me.B.J. 100 (2005).
- Sigmund D. Schutz, Time to Reconsider Nullum Tempus Occurrit Regi – The Applicability of Statutes of Limitations Against the State of Maine in Civil Actions, 55 ME.L.REV. 373 (2003).
- Sigmund D. Schutz, Freedom of Access Law: It's Not Easy Keeping Secrets, 14 Me.B.J. 138 (1999).
- Jonathan S. Piper & Sigmund D. Schutz, Maine Libel Law, in MEDIA LIBEL LAW, (Media Law Resource Center) (annually, 1998 – Present).
Professional Awards
Sig is listed in Best Lawyers in America and as a "Rising Star" in Super Lawyers New England.
Civic Involvement
- Member and Counsel, E2Tech Council (Environmental & Energy Council of Maine), a non-profit association of companies, entrepreneurs, state agencies and organizations committed to advancing sustainable job growth, research and development, and new product commercialization.
- Member of the Environmental Technology Board of the Maine Technology Institute (http://www.mainetechnology.org/) (2000-2006).
- Formerly on Board of Directors of the Environmental Business Council to Maine.
- Member of the Maine, New Hampshire, New York and American Bar Associations, Environmental & Natural Resource Sections.
- Member of the Board of Portland Ovations (2008 - Present).
- Chair of the Board of the Southern Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross (2004-2006).
- Clerk of the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition (http://www.mfoic.org/) (2003-Present).
Representative Matters
Environmental
Environmental
Defend largest pesticides enforcement matter in U.S. EPA Region I.
Defend largest pesticides enforcement matter in U.S. EPA Region I.
Defend $250 million Maine DEP Uncontrolled Hazardous Substances Site Act Compliance Order at former Holtrachem site.
Defend $250 million Maine DEP Uncontrolled Hazardous Substances Site Act Compliance Order at former Holtrachem site.
Resolve $1.2 million property damage claims against municipality for residential and commercial landowners located on top of former municipal landfill.
Resolve $1.2 million property damage claims against municipality for residential and commercial landowners located on top of former municipal landfill.
File with the U.S. EPA successful sole source aquifer petition under the Clean Water Act for Conanicut Island in Rhode Island.
File with the U.S. EPA successful sole source aquifer petition under the Clean Water Act for Conanicut Island in Rhode Island.
Defend environmental consultants in $1 million federal court jury trial against a manufacturing company claiming that faulty environmental site assessment missed hazardous waste discharges.
Defend environmental consultants in $1 million federal court jury trial against a manufacturing company claiming that faulty environmental site assessment missed hazardous waste discharges.
Defend environmental engineers in a 3 week arbitration in New Hampshire alleging $15 million negligent design of water treatment system.
Defend environmental engineers in a 3 week arbitration in New Hampshire alleging $15 million negligent design of water treatment system.
Defend paper company in multi-plaintiff toxic tort lawsuit involving alleged brain cancer cluster.
Defend paper company in multi-plaintiff toxic tort lawsuit involving alleged brain cancer cluster.
Won $40 million securities arbitration in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Kingspan Group plc in connection with stock purchase of Maryland manufacturer.
Won $40 million securities arbitration in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Kingspan Group plc in connection with stock purchase of Maryland manufacturer.
Counsel to beneficiaries and executors/personal representatives in securities and probate litigation and arbitration related to mishandling of assets, securities fraud, and related matters.
Counsel to beneficiaries and executors/personal representatives in securities and probate litigation and arbitration related to mishandling of assets, securities fraud, and related matters.
Represent owners and contractors in construction litigation and arbitration.
Represent owners and contractors in construction litigation and arbitration.
Won summary judgment in favor of eight media organizations against claims of libel, invasion of privacy and violation of civil rights in federal court arising from reporting on alleged unlawful confiscation of firearms from individual's home.
Won summary judgment in favor of eight media organizations against claims of libel, invasion of privacy and violation of civil rights in federal court arising from reporting on alleged unlawful confiscation of firearms from individual's home.
Won access to state and federal public records for media organizations after trial and appeal.
Won access to state and federal public records for media organizations after trial and appeal.
Pre-publication review of newspaper articles, features, and broadcasts for news organizations.
Pre-publication review of newspaper articles, features, and broadcasts for news organizations.
Won dismissal of claims against New York Times reporter accused of defamation by celebrity chef.
Won dismissal of claims against New York Times reporter accused of defamation by celebrity chef.
Won $419,000 securities arbitration in Boston against Morgan Stanley DW, Inc.
Won $419,000 securities arbitration in Boston against Morgan Stanley DW, Inc.
Other Bios:
Trusts & Estates Bio
,
General Bio
Schutz, Sigmund, Sig, Climate Change, Climate Strategy, Environmental Lawyer, Environmental attorney
Sigmund D. Schutz is a Partner in the Portland, ME office. He practices climate strategy law, environmental law and civil litigation.
Nickname: Sig