Media Mentions
2011
“Garbage In, Trouble Out”
CFO.com, September 21, 2011
Susan Cooke warned that companies recycling old computer equipment are still liable for the environmental impact of the process. Outsourcing to a recycler “doesn’t mean that you say, ‘Well, it’s not our problem anymore,’” Ms. Cooke explained. “What many companies found in the past was somebody might have a license [to recycle], but that didn’t protect you if things went bad.” Companies should also be wary of donating used equipment, she added, because “a regulatory authority is going to see whether what the company was really trying to do was to get rid of the materials without having to pay for disposal.”
Susan M. Cooke, OSHA, MSHA & Catastrophe Response
2010
Susan Cooke was quoted in a SNL Financial podcast (April 6) regarding hydraulic fracturing technology that captures oil and natural gas below ground and below water aquifers. Fracking has been used for decades, but new techniques may require up to five times more chemicals and fluids than vertical drilling, raising environmental concerns. The EPA will study potential adverse effects of the new process, and, although bills to regulate it have been introduced into Congress, Ms. Cooke does not expect action until the EPA releases its findings. "My guess is that the bills are going to languish, partly because of the attention given to health care legislation and to other important programs, while EPA gears up to begin their study," she said. "While some of the proponents of the legislation want to get them passed even before that study is completed, others may be more willing to allow them to languish...until such time that the study is under way, if not finished."
Susan M. Cooke, Environmental, Life Sciences - Regulatory
Mark Pearlstein was cited in number of stories concerning his appointment as partner-in-charge of McDermott’s Boston office effective January 1, 2010. Mr. Pearlstein will succeed Susan Cooke, who will focus on her responsibilities as chair of the Firm’s OSHA/ Environmental practice group. Coverage appear November 3 to 4 in The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal, Dallas Business Journal, moneycentral.msn.com, and the New York Daily News.
Susan M. Cooke, Mark W. Pearlstein, Trial
2008
Susan Cooke was quoted in the October 17 issue of the Boston Business Journal in an article regarding the rise of credit crisis teams. Law firms continue to launch special credit teams to assist clients with the current Wall Street instability. "Our view is that the financial crisis has a negative effect on many of our clients, so to help our clients address those effects, we've created the Markets Restructuring Task Force," commented Ms. Cooke.
Susan M. Cooke, Markets Restructuring
Susan M. Cooke was quoted in the August 22 issue of the Boston Business Journal in an article regarding the difficulties faced by women lawyers who want to become partners in large law firms. Ms. Cooke noted that the balance of career and family is the main stumbling block for female lawyers. "What is particularly difficult is that the years of parenthood are oftentimes the most demanding part of your career in terms of sheer hours," she said.
Susan M. Cooke was mentioned in the May 5 issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in an article regarding her recognition in the United States Lawyer Rankings 2008 List of the Nation's Top 10 Environmental Lawyers.
2007
Susan M. Cooke, was profiled in her role as Boston office head in the April 30 issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. The article "Band of Sisters" focused on the 10 women who hold top management positions in major law firms in Massachusetts.
Susan M. Cooke, Compliance Counseling, Environmental, Life Sciences - Regulatory
2006
An executive profile on Susan Cooke appeared in the March 10 issue of The Boston Business Journal. Ms. Cooke was recently appointed to partner-in-charge of the Firm's Boston office.
2005
Susan Cooke was quoted in the November 23 issue of Forbes regarding the Small Business Liability Relief & Brownfields Revitalization Act.
Susan M. Cooke, Brownfields Redevelopment, Environmental
Thomas Sauermilch and Susan Cooke were quoted in the February 15 issue of The Deal regarding the Kyoto treaty that calls for 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels in the 2008-2012 commitment period from industrialized countries as a whole. Mr. Sauermilch commented that U.S.-based private equity buyers are likely to look with much interest at Kyoto, since they won't have the same flexibility as strategic investors. "Some 18 months ago, there was a greater uncertainty in the M&A market relating to valuing the impact of Kyoto," Mr. Sauermilch continued. "That uncertainty will subside as diligence efforts become more focused and emissions trading markets develop." Ms. Cooke pointed out that some unknowns regarding the Protocol still remain. "I think that over time there may be situations where American companies will think carefully about where to site a facility," commented Ms. Cooke.
Susan M. Cooke, Thomas Sauermilch, Corporate, Environmental
2004
Susan Cooke was quoted in "Buying Into Brownfields," which appeared on Forbes.com on February 11. The article reported that although Congress passed the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act to encourage the redevelopment of 450,000 brownfield sites, the legislators left it difficult for regulators only telling the Environmental Protection Agency to write rules describing exactly what steps developers had to take to gain this valuable liability protection. "You can now buy contaminated property with your eyes wide open, and you're not liable," commented Ms.Cooke. "The question is, what level of inquiry do you have to conduct to get protection?"
