Of Counsel

James L. Simpson

Mr. Simpson is an attorney in the Environmental Litigation Department.

James Simpson

James (“Jay”) is an experienced environmental lawyer. He worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 for over 7 years where he enforced violations of the Clean Air Act and prosecuted environmental crimes.

He also worked at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 2, for over 5 years where he led the region’s remediation section.

Bar Admissions

  • New York

Education

  • Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, LLM in Environmental Law
  • Vermont Law School, J.D.
  • University of Michigan, B.A.

Awards and Honors

  • EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service
  • EPA Bronze Medal for Commendable Service (2)
  • EPA Region 2 Administrator’s Team Award
  • U.S. Dept. of Justice Certificate of Commendation

Professional affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association
  • New York City Bar Association

Publications

  • James L. Simpson, Outside the EPA Update, Vols. 38 to 43 The New York Environmental  Lawyer (Summer 2018 thru present), available at, https://nysba.org/new-york-environmental-lawyer-archive/
  • James L. Simpson, Food Waste in the City, DEC Conservationist (February 2020), available at https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration pdf/022020consmag4web.pdf
  • James L. Simpson, Why EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxic Standards Matter – History and Health, 49 TRENDS 52 (November/December 2017), available at, https://www.americanbar.org/groups/environment_energy_resources/publications/trends/2017-2018/november-december-2017/why_epas_mercury _and_air_toxics_standards_matter.html
  • James L. Simpson, Craig Michaels, and William Wegner, Fractured Communities – Case Studies of the Environmental Impacts of Industrial Gas Drilling, September 2010, available at: https://www.riverkeeper.org/about-us/publications/reports/
  • James L. Simpson (ed.), Riverkeeper’s Industrial Gas Drilling Reporter, Vols. 1-6, 2009-10, available at http://www.riverkeeper.org/campaigns/safeguard/gas-drilling
  • James L. Simpson and William Wegner, Preparing to Repair: The Delaware Aqueduct Leak and New York City’s Efforts to Repair It, March 2009, available at https://www.riverkeeper.org/about-us/publications/reports/
  • James L. Simpson, Riverkeeper, and Cathleen Breen, NYPIRG, Making the Grade: New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s Drinking Water Protection Programs, May 2008, available at (aka “DEP Report Card”) https://www.riverkeeper.org/about-us/publications/reports/
  • James L. Simpson and Mackenzie Schoonmaker, 2007 Judges’ Edition Bench Memorandum, Nineteenth Annual Pace National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, 24 Pace Envtl. Rev. 479 (2007).

Media Appearances

Mass. Town Targets Georgia-Pacific, Honeywell In PFAS Suit, Law360 (February 25, 2026)

Court Appointments

Vermont Trial Courts

Other Experience

Co-Editor-in-Chief of The New York Environmental Lawyer, published by the Environmental & Energy Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.

Areas of Practice

Environmental Litigation
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Our Locations

Please Contact Us for an In-Person Appointment

New York City
Principal Office - Long Island
Kansas
North Carolina
Tampa, Florida West
Tampa, Florida
Chicago, Illinois