Thomas Spiesman

Tom Spiesman is a detail-oriented environmental lawyer who brings clarity, focus, and a positive problem-solving perspective to each client and project. His caring approach to matters large and small, coupled with his years of practical experience, are essential in the day-to-day management of client matters and in meeting the longer-term objectives of his clients. Tom’s perseverance and determination in overseeing the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites as well as his excellent technical abilities make him one of the better-known and respected environmental attorneys in the state of New Jersey.

His practice encompasses matters of environmental compliance, permitting, property transfer litigation, and strategic advice with respect to environmental issues that arise in the context of commercial and industrial transactions and serves a wide variety of industries and businesses, including brownfields redevelopers, the energy, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical/life sciences sectors.

He advises clients on all types of business and real estate transactions involving the purchase, sale, leasing, financing and redevelopment of environmentally encumbered property. He is focused on the identification and analysis of environmental risks and developing risk management strategies that include protective contractual mechanisms. He carefully and efficiently manages the due diligence process, working with technical environmental professionals and licensed site remediation professionals including the identification and effective communication of potential risks and has extensive experience in the process of negotiating environmental issues and allocating environmental responsibilities and risks in complex transactions. He has particular experience and expertise in the New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act and counsels clients on applicability and compliance issues.

A new wave of redevelopment projects in urban centers and the high demand for warehousing space throughout the State of New Jersey has resulted in environmental issues which require careful steering of clients through the various steps that will enable them to be compliant with the regulations of the agencies that have oversight responsibilities for the implementation of federal, state and local environmental laws.

Tom's approach to client relationships is to learn everything he can about a client’s business and understand what is important so he can offer legal solutions that help them accomplish their business agenda.

• Chambers USA - America’s Leading Lawyers for Business -Environment Practice (2011 - 2024)
• The Best Lawyers in America - Environmental Law (2016-2025)
• New Jersey Super Lawyers® (2012-2019)
• Who's Who Legal – Environment (2016); Compendium Edition (2017)

• New Jersey State Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Transactions Committee
• American Bar Association, Natural Resources Law Section
• New York State Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
• Morris County Bar Association, Environmental Committee Chair
• Morris County Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Affairs Committee
• Montville Township Environmental Commission, Past Chair