News & Insights

Natural Resource Damages in New Jersey - Six Years After Litigation Revival, More Guidance Needed

Attorneys Vinita Banthia, Matt Conley and Daniel Farino write about the natural resource damages litigation revival in New Jersey in their co-authored New Jersey Lawyer article, "Natural Resource Damages in New Jersey - Six Years After Litigation Revival, More Guidance Needed." The current litigation push has focused on pursuing NRD claims with a goal of incentivizing more voluntary NRD settlements by responsible parties. However, the NJDEP would likely see more voluntary NRD settlements if it provided more guidance and certainty as to how these damages will be calculated. ...read more

NJ's Natural Resource Damage Order May Be Helpful For Cos.

In the Law360 article, "NJ's Natural Resource Damage Order May Be Helpful For Cos.," Archer environmental law attorneys Marc Rollo, Matthew Conley and Charlie Dennen discuss the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) recently issued Administrative Order 2023-08.  The administrative order is another step in the evolution of the natural resource damage, or NRD, enforcement in New Jersey. The administrative order affirms the DEP’s duties as trustee for the state’s natural resources and, importantly, directs the DEP to put in place mechanisms to enhance consensus-building in the planning, design and implementation of natural resource restoration activities through improved collaboration with the public and stakeholders. ...read more

Matthew Conley Discusses a Recent Decision on NRD from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in Legal Intelligencer Article

Matthew Conley, Environmental Law partner, discusses a recent decision from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court addressing Pennsylvania’s authority and standing to seek NRD, which may further embolden state officials, in The Legal Intelligencer article, “Pa. Steps Up NRD Enforcement. Is a Comprehensive NRD Program Coming?,” published on July 20, 2022. Matthew writes that the regulated community and environmental practitioners should be aware of the commonwealth’s rapidly evolving positions with respect to NRD, and that companies should work with experienced NRD practitioners to understand and manage potential liabilities. Matthew concentrates his practice on complex environmental, toxic tort and products liability litigation and has particular expertise in the area of natural resource damages.” ...read more

NJDEP Issues Administrative Order Revamping NRD Settlement Policies and Practices in New Jersey

On March 14, 2023, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner Shawn LaTourette issued Administrative Order 2023-08 (AO 2023-08) regarding Natural Resource Restoration Policy. AO 2023-08, which can be found here, is another step in the evolution of the natural resource damage (NRD) enforcement in New Jersey. The Order seeks to, among other things, “improve” NJDEP's “policies and practices for voluntarily resolving potential NRD liabilities with responsible parties” by incorporating mechanisms for NRD assessment into the site remediation process. ...read more

Matthew Conley Co-Authors Natural Resource Damages Chapter of New Jersey Environmental Law Handbook

Archer Partner Matthew R. Connelly was selected to co-author the Natural Resource Damages chapter of Bernan Press’s recently released 9th edition of the New Jersey Environmental Law Handbook. This revised edition of the New Jersey Environmental Law Handbook brings together over 40 of New Jersey’s most experienced environmental law practitioners to provide essential facts and insights found in one resource. ...read more

Archer Announces Ten New Associates

HADDONFIELD, NJ – September 15, 2006 – The law firm of Archer P.C., announced today that ten associates have joined the firm. ...read more

David Edelstein and Matthew Conley to Serve as Speakers at the "New Jersey Water Rights and Regulation" Live Webinar

David Edelstein and Matthew Conley, Partners in Archer's Environmental Law Group, will present "Understanding New Jersey Surface Water and Groundwater Rights" at HalfMoon Education, Inc.'s New Jersey Water Rights and Regulation Live Webinar. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, September 26th from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. ...read more

Archer Attorneys Present at NJSBA Environmental Law Forum 2021

Archer Environmental Law Attorneys Daniel Farino, Vinita Banthia, David Edelstein and Matthew Conley, all presented at the NJSBA Environmental Law Forum 2021. Every year, over of 100 of New Jersey’s most prominent Environmental attorneys gather for the Environmental Law Forum, a three-day in-depth review of the latest developments and practice concerns in environmental law practice. ...read more