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Maggie
Macdonald

Principal

Maggie
Macdonald

Principal

Maggie focuses her practice on environmental litigation, environmental due diligence and transactional matters, environmental impact review, and land use issues. Maggie has litigated multi-million dollar claims for recovery of remediation costs under the Superfund Law (CERCLA) in federal courts in New York, New Jersey (pro hac vice) and Ohio (pro hac vice), and has also represented clients in administrative proceedings before the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York City Environmental Control Board. Maggie has significant experience with electronic discovery in complex, multi-party litigations, and leverages technology to efficiently meet her clients’ needs.

In addition, Maggie works with clients involved in the recycling and solid waste management industries to establish environmentally-responsible business practices and comply with product stewardship regulations.

Maggie frequently negotiates environmental provisions of purchase and sale agreements, as well as environmental indemnification agreements to facilitate redevelopment of contaminated properties. She advises Fortune 500 companies, individuals and small-business owners developing real estate, and real estate investment trusts with respect to environmental risks associated with investments in contaminated properties. In addition, Maggie advises clients with respect to remediation of contaminated properties, and assists clients with successfully remediating properties and obtaining liability protection under regulatory oversight.

Best Lawyers®, “Ones To Watch” for Environmental Law
New York Metro Super Lawyers, Environmental Law, Rising Star
Chambers and Partners, Notable Associate for Environmental Litigation
Chambers and Partners USA, Ranked “Up and Coming” Environmental Lawyer
Business Today’s “Top 10 Most Influential Environment Lawyers in New York 2023”

Queens West Development Corporation

Location: Long Island City, NY | Date: 2014

SPR represents Queens West Development Corporation (QWDC), a subsidiary of New York State's Empire State Development (ESD), in connection with New York's largest mixed use public-private development. During the early planning stages of this major initiative to redevelop a 74-acre area of the Long Island City waterfront, the firm provided environmental and land use counsel to the Urban Development Corporation (now d/b/a ESD) in connection with development of the General Project Plan and the environmental impact statement (EIS) process. It subsequently represented ESD in successfully defeating litigation challenging the adequacy of the EIS. The firm has handled all waterfront permitting issues for the development of parks and the waterfront esplanade, which involved obtaining permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other agencies.

The firm represented QWDC over CERCLA action for response costs and settled. The firm assists in connection with all aspects of remediation of legacy contamination from the area's long and varied industrial uses, including remedies under auspices of either the State's Voluntary Cleanup Program or the Brownfield Cleanup Program, recently representing QWDC in a case over response costs. The litigation recently settled.

“The Law of Climate Change in Canada”

Article Title: Chapter 18 “United States;" Chapter 19 “North American and Global Integration of Carbon Control Markets;" Chapter 20 “Private Sector Climate Action”

2023

“An Update on County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund,” Co-Author

For: American Water Works Association Journal; Co-Author(s): Kelly Coulon, Roux Associates

October 2022

“Green Buildings: Law and Practices,” Co-Author

For: Practical Law Journal; Co-Author(s): Dan Chorost, Maggie Macdonald

November 2014

“EPA proposes new technology rules for boilers and incinerators,” with Daniel Riesel

For: International Law Office

July 19, 2010

“State and Regional Carbon Reduction Markets in the United States,” Co-Author

For: Environmental Claims Journal; Co-Author(s): Jeffrey Gracer

2007

NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation Proposes New Enforcement Rules

In September 2022, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) published draft rules proposing to establish OER’s authority to commence enforcement actions against parties ...

Sixth Circuit rules in two cases that discharges to groundwater from coal ash ponds do not require a Clean Water Act Permit

The Sixth Circuit’s recent decisions in Kentucky Waterways Alliance et al v. Kentucky Utilities Co., (“Kentucky Utilities”) No. 18-5115 (6th Cir. Sept. 24, 2018), and Tennessee Clean Water Network v. Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”) No. 17-6155 (6th Cir. Sept. 24, 2018), have further widened an existing circuit split regarding ...

New York City Proposes First Stormwater Management Program Regulating Construction Runoff

For the first time, the City of New York has proposed a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) to describe how the City will satisfy the requirements of its SPDES Read More

New York University School of Law, J.D., 2011

Harvard College, B.A., 2008, magna cum laude

New York, 2012

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

New York State Bar Association member

Bar Association of the City of New York member

Secretary of the International Environmental Law Committee at the City Bar Association

Graduate of the New York City Environmental Law Leadership Institute

Member, New York Road Runners

Attorney spotlight from 2014