Hank comes to Napoli Shkolnik after serving close to three decades in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and as a Justice of the Massachusetts District Court. For ten years, Hank served as House Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Prior to that, he served as Chair of the Committee on Veterans in Public Affairs.
Hank leads Napoli Shkolnik’s efforts advising clients and working with water districts, municipalities, counties and other entities whose water supplies have been negatively impacted by the use of perfluoroctanoic acid and peflouroctane sulfate by airports, military bases and local industries. This follows years of successfully advocating on the legislative level for environmental and water protection in Central Massachusetts and throughout the Commonwealth. His work on these issues, as well as Green Communities, smart growth and environmental sustainability earned Hank the support of the Sierra Club, among other environmental groups, in multiple bids for reelection.
Hank also serves as Executive Director of Napoli’s Veterans Advocacy Project. He is a veteran of multiple tours and missions with the US Army in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and elsewhere in the Global War on Terror. He has worked for years with veterans’ groups on the local, state and national level. Hank has served as senior advisor on Veterans and National Security Issues to two presidential campaigns, multiple other candidates and office holders and as legal counsel to numerous, service-disabled veteran owned startups.
The mission of the Napoli Shkolnik Veterans Advocacy Project is to zealously fight for those individuals who have sacrificed for our Nation at the cost of contracting mesothelioma, hearing damage due to defective earplugs, been exposed to Agent Orange or burn pits and other preventable or service-related injuries.
Hank also works with Napoli Shkolnik in the areas of vaping and opioid litigation.
In previous military capacities, Hank has performed detainee operations in Iraq, was Chief of Rule of Law Operations for the 4th Infantry Division in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Officer with USFORA, Rules of Engagement Advisor on Syria Mission and has advised African and Eastern European Military units.
In May, 2011, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed Attorney Naughton to the International Security Advisory Board. The Board, made up of 24 members and reporting directly to the Secretary, provides the State Department with independent insight and advice on all aspects of arms control, disarmament, international security, security capacity and related aspects of public diplomacy. Hank was reappointed to the Board by Secretary Kerry in March of 2013 and served until June of 2017.
His military awards include:
- Combat Action Badge
- Bronze Star Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Afghan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star
- Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star
- Joint Forces Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (2ndAward)
- Army Achievement Medal
- Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2ndAward)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- NATO Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M/Device
- Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation (Iraq)
- Valorous Unit Award (Afghanistan).
- Member of the Order of the Combat Spur, 1stSquadron, 10th US Cavalry.
Hank has previously served as Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
He is a graduate of the US Army Judge Advocate General School at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Suffolk University Law School in Boston and Assumption College, Worcester, MA.
In the early 2000’s, he accompanied former President Clinton to Northern Ireland in conjunction with the founding of the Enniskillen Peace Center. Additionally, he was an observer at the Saville Investigation Hearings into the events that came to be called “Bloody Sunday.”
Bar Admissions
Massachusetts
Education
- US Army Judge Advocate General School at the University of Virginia
- Suffolk University Law School, J.D.
- Assumption College, B.A.
Awards and Honors
- Combat Action Badge
- Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award)
- Afghan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star
- Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star
- Joint Forces Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award)
- Army Achievement Medal
- Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2nd Award)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- NATO Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M/Device
- Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation (Iraq)
- Valorous Unit Award (Afghanistan)
- Member of the Order of the Combat Spur, 1st Squadron, 10th US Cavalry
Publications
3M Faces Over 230,000 Lawsuits from Veterans Over Defective Earplugs: Company Could Lose Over $100 Billion (September 2022)
AWWA Member Spotlight – Harold “Hank” Naughton, Clinton, MA, AWWA Connections (July 2, 2021)
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, Emerging Contaminants in Environmental Litigation, Perrin Virtual Mass Tort Litigation Conference (March 2, 2022)
Panelist, “PFAS Water Contamination“, Townsend, MA Public Forum: Joint Meeting, Board of Selectmen/Board of Water Commissioners (June 28, 2021)
Featured Speaker, “A Cost Recovery Program: PFAS Water Contamination”, American Water Works Association (AWWA) Webinar Series (October 22, 2020)
Media Appearances
Hank has been a commentator on BBC Newsnight in regard to the Iraq War, the National ‘Fox and Friends’ Morning television show in regard to the Afghanistan War, as well as appearances on numerous television stations to include WGBH, Fox 25, WBZ-TV Channel 4, and WBZ Radio 1030, WTKK Radio 96.9 and WBUR 90.9 National Public Radio on Legislative, political and Veterans issues and issues related to foreign policy and the Iraq and Afghan wars.
Hank has also appeared on NBC’s Today Show in regard to Veteran’s issues.
Lawyers in PFAS water pollution settlements win $956 mln fee award, Reuters (April 23, 2024)
Judge Allows $956M Atty Fees In 3M, DuPont PFAS Settlements, Law360 (April 23, 2024)
Wisconsin-based Tyco Fire Products to pay out $750 million to PFAS-impacted communities, milwaukee journal sentinel (April 12, 2024)
PFAS-affected water systems to receive $750M in settlement with Tyco Fire Products, Wisconsin Public Radio (April 12, 2024)
Tyco Reaches $750M PFAS Deal In Foam Co. MDL, Law360 (April 12, 2024)
Johnson Controls’ Tyco Fire Products agrees to $750 million settlement over PFAS contamination, Republic World (April 12, 2024)
Judge Approves Historic $12.5 Billion 3M Settlement to Clean America’s Water Supplies, Businesswire (April 2, 2024)
3M Gets Final OK On PFAS Deal Worth Up To $12.5B, Law360 (April 1, 2024)
NineStar earns award for tasty water, Greenfield Reporter (April 12, 2024)
Historic $1.18 Billion Settlement Approved with DuPont to Clean America’s Water Supplies, yahoo!finance (February 9, 2024)
3M to pay $12.5 billion to settle some PFAS cases, with plenty more to go, Legal Newsline (June 23, 2023)
Eternal pollutants | 3M will pay up to $12.5 billion to settle US lawsuits, Actual News Magazine (June 23, 2023)
3M Settles ‘Forever Chemicals’ Litigation for Up to $12.5 Billion, The Wall Street Journal (June 22, 2023)
3M settles ‘forever chemical’ contamination suits with public water systems for billions, yahoo!news (June 22, 2023)
3M to Pay $12.5B to Settle Lawsuits Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Water Supplies, ALM|Law.com (June 22, 2023)
3M Strikes $12.5B Deal Over PFAS Contamination, Law360 (June 22, 2023)
3M to pay $12.5 billion to settle some PFAS cases, with plenty more to go, Legal Newsline (June 23, 2023)
Eternal pollutants | 3M will pay up to $12.5 billion to settle US lawsuits, Actual News Magazine (June 23, 2023)
3M Settles ‘Forever Chemicals’ Litigation for Up to $12.5 Billion, The Wall Street Journal (June 22, 2023)
3M settles ‘forever chemical’ contamination suits with public water systems for billions, yahoo!news (June 22, 2023)
3M to Pay $12.5B to Settle Lawsuits Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Water Supplies, ALM|Law.com (June 22, 2023)
3M Strikes $12.5B Deal Over PFAS Contamination, Law360 (June 22, 2023)
US delays ‘forever chemical’ trial against 3M, New York Times Post (June 6, 2023)
U.S. judge allows 3M, Florida city to delay ‘forever chemicals’ trial, MSN (June 5, 2023) and Reuters
Three ‘Forever Chemicals’ Makers Settle Public Water Lawsuits, USA Times (June 5, 2023)
3M Nearing Global Settlement In ‘Forever Chemicals’ Case, Law360 (June 5, 2023)
Companies reach $1.18 billion deal to resolve claims from ‘forever chemicals’ water contamination, The Daily Mining Gazette (June 5, 2023)
Bellwether ‘forever chemicals’ case heads to trial, The Estate (June 5, 2023)
“Forever chemical” settlement comes from three companies accused of polluting with PFAs, The Mil Source (June 5, 2023)
Chemical giants reach $1.2 billion settlement over ‘perpetual chemicals’ in water, US Today News (June 4, 2023)
3M polluted drinking water with PFAS for decades. Will it have to pay for the clean up?, Environmental Health News (June 4, 2023)
Chemical giants reach $1.2B settlement over ‘forever chemicals’ in water, Head Topics (June 4, 2023)
Three ‘Forever Chemicals’ Makers Settle Public Water Lawsuits, News Pub (June 4, 2023)
DuPont, Chemours and Corteva to pay $1.2 billion for water contamination lawsuit, News Net Daily (June 4, 2023)
Companies reach $1.18B deal to resolve water contamination claims, Fortworth News Place (June 3, 2023)
Critical Oversight in EPA’s PFAS Rules: Ignoring a Key Contaminant Source, Sci Tech Daily (June 3, 2023)
DuPont, Spinoffs To Pay $1.19B in Largest Yet PFAS in Drinking Water Settlement, Engineering News-Record (June 3, 2023)
DuPont, Chemours, Corteva to Pay $1.19 Billion in PFAS Pact (2), Bloomberg Law (June 2, 2023) and on Bloomberg.com
Three ‘Forever Chemicals’ Makers Settle Public Water Lawsuits, The New York Times (June 2, 2023)
DuPont Strikes $1.2 Billion Settlement Over Toxic Chemicals, Leaving 3M to Face Trial Alone, The National Law Journal (June 2, 2023)
Companies reach $1.18 billion deal to resolve claims from ‘forever chemicals’ water contamination, WTOL CBS (June 2, 2023)
DuPont, Others Strike $1B Deal In ‘Forever Chemicals’ Suits, Law360 (June 2, 2023)
Sterling approached to join PFAS suit as water testing requirement begins, Telegram & Gazette (October 8, 2021)
Nantucket airport lawsuit blames chemical companies for PFAS contamination – and wants them to pay, Cape Cod Times (September 16, 2021)
Easton joins lawsuit against chemical manufacturers over PFAS, Wickedlocal.com (September 8, 2021)
After 9-11 terrorist attacks: Naughton feels pull to serve, joins Army to defend his family, Telegram & Gazette (September 8, 2021)
Southern NY County Suit Against 3M, Dupont and Other Defendants for Allegedly Polluting Airport’s Water Moved to Federal Court, New York Law Journal/Law.com (August 30, 2021)
Former soldier and state rep., Naughton says he’s ‘devastated’ by chaos in Afghanistan, Telegram & Gazette (August 16, 2021)
Select Board retains New York law firm in suit against PFAS makers, The Inquirer and Mirror (February 18, 2021)
This Week in Town Government: PFAS agreements, The Inquirer and Mirror (February 4, 2021)
From Military to Law: What Attys Took From Their Service, Law360 (November 9, 2020)
Representative Cases and Settlements of Note
*Results May Vary Depending On Your Particular Facts and Legal Circumstances*
- $12.5 Billion Settlement with 3M Company
Napoli Shkolnik, along with other members of the PFAS Settlement Steering Committee, is proud to announce a $12.5 billion settlement with 3M Company in the ongoing multi-district litigation over the contamination of drinking water with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) resulting from the widespread use of aqueous film-forming foam (“AFFF”). This historic class action settlement agreement resolves the claims of Public Water Systems across the country that have been impacted by actual or threatened contamination of their water systems with PFAS.
Judge Approves Historic $12.5 Billion 3M Settlement to Clean America’s Water Supplies
- $1.185 Billion Settlement with Dupont, Chemours, Corteva
On June 22, 2023, Paul Napoli, along with the co-leads of the AFFF MDL reached a $1.185 billion settlement with DuPont, Chemours, Corteva to address PFAS contamination in public water systems’ drinking water supplies. This settlement was given preliminary approval on February 9, 2024. Once the court issues a final judgement, a 60-day period will begin during which class members can submit their claims forms to participate in the settlement.
Historic $1.18 Billion Settlement Approved with DuPont to Clean America’s Water Supplies
- $750 Million Settlement with Tyco Fire Products LP
In a monumental stride towards addressing the nation’s PFAS water contamination crisis, Paul Napoli, along with the co-leads of the AFFF Multi-District Litigation, have achieved a groundbreaking $750 million settlement with Tyco Fire Products LP. This significant legal triumph will facilitate the remediation of drinking water sources for public water systems impacted by PFAS, a group of harmful chemicals found in AFFF. The agreement with Tyco remains subject to Court approval by the Honorable Richard Gergel (the MDL Judge) in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Napoli Shkolnik’s Paul Napoli and AFFF MDL Co-Leads Secure $750 Million Settlement with Tyco Fire Products LP in AFFF MDL
- EPA Announces Final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for 6 PFASAs a law firm at the forefront of litigation against PFAS manufacturers, Napoli Shkolnik applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) for its landmark decision to establish regulatory limits on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in drinking water. As legal representatives of thousands of public water systems in the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (“AFFF”) Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”), the firm views this action as a pivotal moment in ensuring the safety and cleanliness of drinking water for the American people.
Napoli Shkolnik Applauds EPA’s Historic Action on PFAS Regulation in Drinking Water
Other Experience
- Former Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs in the Massachusetts House of Representatives
- Chief of Rule of Law Operations for the 4th Infantry Division in Kandahar, Afghanistan
- Counter-terrorism Officer with USFORA
- Member, United States Department of State
- US Department of State International Security Advisory Board
- Chief Counsel, AUX Initiatives, LLC
- Assistant District Attorney in Worcester County
(844) 230-7676
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