Overview
Jacob Hollinger handles complex litigation matters for energy, manufacturing and financial sector clients. He also advises a broad range of companies on environmental compliance, permitting and risk management, especially in the context of renewable energy projects and industrial company acquisitions. Prior to joining McDermott, Jacob was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York and a high-ranking environmental enforcement attorney for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Jacob’s recent commercial litigation matters include representing an energy company in a bankruptcy-related corporate governance dispute and a global fuel supply company in a multi-million dollar contract dispute. He also currently represents a publically traded manufacturing company in ongoing Superfund litigation. Jacob’s environmental matters, in and out of government, have involved engines, fuels, power plants, refineries, chemical plants, landfills, solar installations, waste-to-energy operations, wind farms, renewable fuel identification numbers and tradeable emission credits. Jacob was the top ranking Clean Air Act enforcement attorney for EPA Region 2 before joining McDermott and has handled over 200 Clean Air Act matters.
Results
Litigation
- Lead defense counsel for an energy company in a major Renewable Fuel Standard enforcement action, resolved for a fraction of the defendant’s alleged economic benefit
- Represented a major international fuel supply company in favorably resolved commercial contract litigation
- Lead discovery counsel for a financial services firm in a major employment dispute, resolved with a favorable arbitration ruling
- Represented a power company in a favorably resolved EPA Superfund investigation
- First chaired a federal Clean Air Act trial on behalf of five states (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland) while serving as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York*
- 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 Clean Air Act Section 126*
- Part of the trial team that successfully defended a major automobile manufacturer in a multibillion dollar securities fraud action*
Environmental Compliance, Permitting and Transactional Matters
- Represented an engine manufacturer concerning regulatory compliance matters
- Represented a renewable fuel and renewable fuel credits trading entity concerning regulatory compliance matters
- Represented a chemical manufacturer with respect to an environmental regulatory matter
- Represented several renewable energy companies concerning environmental issues relating to project development, operation and financing
- Represented an investment firm in the acquisition of a paper company
- Represented an investment entity in the potential acquisition of biomass facility
- Represented an investment entity with respect to the financing of several solar energy projects
* Matter handled prior to joining McDermott
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”
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
