Overview

Jacob Hollinger handles environmental and energy-related compliance and litigation matters for energy, manufacturing and financial sector clients. He is a former high-ranking Clean Air Act attorney for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has handled dozens of government investigations and enforcement actions and has extensive experience in all aspects of civil litigation.

Jacob began his career as a commercial litigator at another highly-regarded Am Law 100 firm, and then served nearly 10 years in state and federal government before coming to McDermott, including time as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York and as an Acting Branch Chief for EPA Region 2. Jacob has worked with the Clean Air Act, Superfund, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and the Energy Independence and Security Act, among other statutes. Jacob’s matters, in and out of government, have involved a wide range of facilities, equipment and regulatory products. Among other examples, he has handled matters involving engines, fuels, power plants, refineries, chemical plants, landfills, solar installations, waste-to-energy operations, renewable fuel identification numbers and tradeable emission credits.

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Results

Representing an engine manufacturer with respect to Clean Air Act regulatory matters
Defended a midstream oil and gas company in a federal enforcement action involving EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard program
Represented a power company in responding to an EPA Superfund investigation
Represented a county government in litigation under the National Environmental Policy Act

Represented a securities lending firm in a FINRA arbitration
Represented an investment entity with respect to investments in several renewable energy portfolios
Represented a chemical manufacturer with respect to an environmental regulatory matter
Served as lead attorney for the seventeen governmental plaintiffs in New York, et al. v. Bodman, et al., No. 05cv7807 (S.D.N.Y.), a successful regulatory deadline suit against the US Department of Energy*
Represented the State of New York in three successful challenges to EPA rulemakings, including a multi-plaintiff matter in which New York was the only plaintiff to prevail on any of its claims*
Represented the EPA in GenOn REMA LLC v. EPA, 722 F.3d 513 (3rd Cir. 2013), a precedent-setting victory for the EPA involving the Clean Air Act Section 126*
Helped the EPA and New York resolve several environmental investigations, enforcement actions and permitting matters, including New York v. Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., et al., No. 02-cv-2s (W.D.N.Y.), a Clean Air Act enforcement action involving NSR, Title V and public nuisance claims*
First chaired a federal Clean Air Act trial on behalf of five states (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland)*

* Matter handled prior to joining McDermott

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Recognitions

Legal 500 US 2017
While at EPA, received a Hurricane Sandy Response & Recovery Award for “outstanding and exceptional response and recovery efforts in the face of one of the most devastating storms in Region 2’s history”

Upon leaving EPA to join McDermott, received a Certificate of Commendation from the US Department of Justice for “outstanding performance and invaluable assistance in support of the activities of the Environment & Natural Resources Division”

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Community

Energy Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
New York City Bar Association
Federal Bar Council

Credentials

Education
New York University School of Law, JD, 1997
New York University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, MA, 1997
Swarthmore College, BA, with high honors, 1991

Admissions
District of Columbia
New York

Courts / Agencies
US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
US District Court for the Western District of New York
US District Court for the District of Columbia

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