Mr. Flynn is the Practice Team Leader for the firm’s Nanotechnology Practice. Mr. Flynn’s practice is concentrated in the areas of environmental law and energy. With respect to environmental law, Mr. Flynn concentrates on regulatory compliance consultations and brownfield redevelopment. He has written extensively on environmental topics including environmental issues related to nanotechnology development. He was involved in the first successful conversion of a former industrial brownfield into a modern manufacturing facility in New York State. In addition, Mr. Flynn advises clients on business development issues and the regulation of energy before state and federal authorities. He also advises clients on the development and siting of renewable energy, coal gasification, merchant power generating and carbon sequestration facilities, and licensing of hydropower projects. He is a member of the Canadian Cross Border Team.
The firm has been recognized by Chambers USA for excellence in environmental law.
HONORS & AWARDS
- Listed as a Leading Individual in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
- Listed in Who’s Who In Law, Business First of Buffalo and Buffalo Law Journal
EDUCATION
State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1987
State University of New York at Buffalo, B.A., 1983
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
New York
U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Ontario, Canada - Foreign Legal Consultant
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS
PRESENT ACTIVITIES
- ACORE, Member
- Leadership Council Member
- Northeast Regional Council
- Incubators for Collaborating & Leveraging Energy And Nanotechnology (iCLEAN), Advisory Board Member
- National Brownfield Association
- Board of Directors
- Executive Committee
- New York Chapter President
- Amherst Chamber of Commerce
- Chairman (2011- Present)
- Board of Directors (2005-Present)
- Vice Chairman (2007-Present)
- The Council of The Burchfield-Penney Art Center, Member (1999-Present)
- Amherst Conservation, Recreation and Parks Foundation, Chairman (2004-2007) and Board Member (2003-2007)
- Nativity of Mary Home School Association, Member, Past President (2001-2003)
- State University of New York at Buffalo Law Alumni Association, Member (2005-Present)
- Buffalo Regional Board of Review, Member
- New York State Business Council Marcellus Shale Working Group, Member
- Western New York Regional Economic Development Council
- Energy Committee, Co-Chair
- Zoological Society of Buffalo, Board of Directors
PAST ACTIVITIES
- Contributing Editor and Chairman of the Editorial Advisory Board, RCRA Corrective Action Manual
- Environmental Law Columnist, Business First of Buffalo
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
SEMINARS
LANGUAGE
New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program – Counsel clients on the benefits of participating in the Brownfield Cleanup Program, including liability release and tax credits. Assist clients in the preparation of applications for participation in the Brownfield Cleanup Program. Participate in meetings with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to discuss application requirements, citizen participation, brownfield agreements, remedial investigation work plan, and remedy selection.
Energy – Counsel clients on applicability of NYSERDA and Department of Energy funding programs and tax-based incentives to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and project development work related to such projects. Counsel clients on integrating sustainability and energy conservation measures into residential, commercial and industrial projects. Publication of articles on the legal issues related to carbon sequestration projects.
Solid and Hazardous Waste – Counsel clients on management of solid and hazardous waste to comply with federal and state statutes and regulations. Represent clients in state and federal administrative enforcement actions and voluntary remedial programs. Assist clients in the preparation and submittal of Beneficial Use Determination petitions to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for the beneficial reuse of solid waste materials. Counsel clients on potential liabilities associated with asbestos, lead-based paint, and PCBs.
Underground Storage Tank Regulations – Counsel clients on compliance with federal and state underground storage tank regulations, including registration, overfill protection, release detection, inventory monitoring, and testing requirements. Advise clients on potential liabilities associated with redevelopment of gasoline stations and other sites with existing and removed underground storage tanks.
Other Areas of Expertise
New Jersey Environmental Regulations – Counsel clients on potential liabilities associated with New Jersey’s Industrial Site Recovery Act and Site Remediation Reform Act.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Defense – Assist clients in preparing defenses and negotiating settlements to OSHA citations.