Pearce, Thomas C.

Thomas C. Pearce

Counsel

thomas.pearce@lw.com
    Pearce, Thomas C.

    Thomas C. Pearce

    Counsel

    thomas.pearce@lw.com
    New York Metro Rising Star

    SuperLawyers 2024

    “Thomas Pearce advises on environmental law proceedings for a diverse pool of clients.”

    Chambers USA 2022

    Associate to Watch – Environment

    Chambers USA 2021

    Profile

    Thomas Pearce is a member of the Environment, Land & Resources Practice and the Litigation & Trial Department. He represents clients in environmental, commercial, products liability, and toxic tort litigations. He also advises clients on environmental regulatory and transactional issues relating to federal environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as well as their state equivalents. He has represented clients across a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, chemicals, paint and coatings, and oil and gas.

    Thomas is also an active member of the firm’s pro bono program and is a recipient of the firm’s 2020 Robert M. Dell Prize for Extraordinary Pro Bono Service as part of a team successfully litigating Voting Rights Act claims in New York.

    Thomas is admitted to practice in the State of New York, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

    Experience

    Thomas' experience includes representing:

    • A chemical company in defending multiple per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulatory and litigation matters, including natural resource damages claims, putative class actions, government enforcement actions (including unilateral orders), personal injury and property damage claims, and medical monitoring claims
    • Multiple clients in connection with regulatory issues pertaining to PFAS
    • Several clients in the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites under CERCLA, including the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site
    • A coatings manufacturer in defending New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection claims pertaining to a contaminated site in Newark, New Jersey
    • A utility in connection with the mitigation of the methane leak from the Aliso Canyon underground storage field in Porter Ranch, Los Angeles
    • A multinational energy corporation in connection with multiple state-wide MTBE litigations
    • A property owner regarding the remediation and sale of a contaminated site subject to the New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA)
    • The purchaser of a 50% equity interest in a cogeneration facility located within a complex undergoing remediation pursuant to ISRA
    • A leading US pharmaceutical company in a contractual dispute against a Swiss company relating to Medicaid reimbursement

    Thought Leadership

    • “The Missing Component: Incorporating Biodiversity into Natural Resource Remediation and Restoration” American Bar Association Article (February 2024)
    • “IRS Clarifies Rules for Energy Community Bonus Tax Credits” Latham & Watkins Article (April 2023)
    • "Updated Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standards, Recently Incorporated by EPA, Highlight Transactional Risk Presented by PFAS and Other Emerging Contaminants" American Bar Association Article (April 2023)
    • “Treatment of PFAS Under New Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standards Highlights Transactional Risk” Latham & Watkins Article (December 2021)
    • “US Supreme Court Decision May Affect NRD Trusteeship Determinations” Latham & Watkins Article (December 2021)
    • “Interior Department Solicits Comments on Natural Resource Damage Assessment Regulations” Latham & Watkins Article (August 2018)
    • “Will Changes to the Supreme Court Mean Changes to CERCLA's Joint and Several Liability Regime?” Latham & Watkins Article (May 2017)

    Qualifications

    Bar Qualification

    • New York

    Education

    • JD, New York University School of Law, 2015
    • BA, University of North Carolina, 2011

    Practices

    Industries

    News & Insights

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