Environmental law is known for being highly intricate and challenging to navigate. This is partly due to the intricate web of conflicting federal, state, and local regulations that govern environmental issues, as well as the vast financial resources that large corporations often possess to defend against legal claims. Despite these obstacles, there is a law firm that has earned a reputation for its expertise and reliability in handling environmental litigation cases.

Napoli Shkolnik is recognized as a leading law firm in the United States that is dedicated to advocating for clients who have suffered personal injuries and injustices. The firm’s environmental litigation attorneys, headed by Paul J. Napoli, are deeply committed to representing individuals who have been affected by property contamination or health problems resulting from exposure to environmental hazards.

Under the leadership of founding partner Paul Napoli, the firm has gained national recognition for its groundbreaking work in significant environmental litigation cases. For instance, Napoli Shkolnik’s legal team successfully negotiated a settlement exceeding $14 billion with multiple defendants in connection with polluted public water systems as part of the ongoing Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) Products Liability Multi-District litigation.

• $12.5 billion settlement with the 3M Company
• $1.18 billion agreement with DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva 
• $750 million settlement with Tyco Fire Products LP
• $316 million deal with BASF Corporation

Successful litigation leadership

Paul Napoli began focusing on environmental litigation as he witnessed contaminations at the local, regional and national levels. Wherever the toxicity was found in the air, soil, or water, individuals, families and communities were being adversely affected and deserved representation against the misconduct of large corporations. “Our team works tirelessly to ensure that the entities responsible for toxic contamination are held accountable and that the affected communities receive the compensation they need,” Napoli shares. 

Over time, the law has developed and so has the public’s understanding of environmental chemicals that can affect an individual’s daily life such as PFAS in drinking water or plastics in their food. Napoli honed his skills citing the “broad acceptance of the public that there is contamination, it does have ill effects on people, and there is a responsible party to hold accountable”. 

In recognition of his continued success at Napoli Shkolnik, Mr. Napoli was selected as one of the 2024 Law360 Environmental MVPs for his exceptional contributions to environmental litigation. He is one of the founding members of the Trial Lawyers of Puerto Rico, a dynamic collective of legal professionals driven by a shared goal of uniting preeminent minds in Mass Tort and Personal Injury Law. Napoli also serves on the Board of the National September 11th Memorial & Museum. 

Paul’s dedication to the environment doesn’t stop there. Together with his wife, Marie Napoli, he helped fund the establishment of the NYU Law Environmental Justice Laboratory (EJL). EJL works with partners, including impacted communities, to address longstanding environmental racism and build a fair, decarbonized world. 

Looking towards the future

The advice Paul shares with junior attorneys boils down to three things, “Go with your instinct on whether or not there is a case, spend time investigating the case, and always think outside the box.” When Paul began handling large-scale environmental cases, he made sure to familiarize himself with environmental statutes at the local, state, and federal level. This allowed him to view cases from different angles and recognize that each case presents with its unique challenges.

As a nationally renowned firm, you can trust the experience and commitment of Napoli Shkolnik.  Learn more here about how they protect public health and the environment, view their latest verdicts and settlements, and schedule a free consultation.