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About George

Collaborative, results-driven environmental due diligence, remediation and redevelopment counsel

George Marek is an environmental and energy law attorney who advises corporate, municipal and individual clients of all sizes and in a variety of industries on remediation of Superfund and other contaminated properties. Always with an eye toward minimizing clients' environmental risk and managing costs, George focuses on:

  • Environmental due diligence and risk assessment for business and real estate transactions
  • Investigation, clean up and development of brownfields sites
  • Environmental regulatory compliance and enforcement matters

Clients appreciate that George has developed deep knowledge of their companies, which enables him to provide practical legal advice and to do so efficiently. They also like his focus on nurturing positive working relationships and building alliances among business people and regulators that facilitate productive conversations, negotiations and agreements.

Experience in Action

  • Representing property owners in the investigation and cleanup of toxic mold.
  • Advising on underground and aboveground storage tank regulation.
  • Representing retailers in environmental due diligence and construction of new store locations in Wisconsin, including the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination that may be discovered during the due diligence process.
  • Representing clients in regard to Wisconsin landfills, including negotiating comprehensive landfill siting agreements between landfill operators and host communities to address the construction, operation, financial and long-term care of the landfills.
  • Assisting clients in obtaining regulatory exemptions to build on former solid waste disposal sites, including negotiating sampling protocols, engineering controls and monitoring programs. End uses include large retail complexes, residential condominiums, automotive showrooms and service centers, and recreational parks, including baseball diamonds and a rowing club.

Successes

  • Represented one of the nation's largest retail and grocery stores in environmental due diligence and construction of new store locations in Wisconsin, including investigation and clean up of environmental contamination discovered during the due diligence process.
  • Represented a municipality on the siting of a new county-owned solid waste landfill, including negotiating a comprehensive siting agreement addressing the landfill's construction, operation, and long-term care, as well as compensating the town and residents for impacts relating to the landfill.
  • Assisted a real estate developer in constructing riverfront condominiums at a former industrial facility, including clean up of soil and groundwater and within the adjacent riverbed. The project included the expansion of a public pedestrian riverwalk and development of an innovative rowing club facility.
  • Represented a major Midwest energy utility in a multi-party private and government project to remediate river sediments pursuant to the Great Lakes Legacy Act.
  • Represented a global manufacturing company in managing retained environmental liabilities in six U.S. states, including 30 Superfund sites , through the negotiation of administrative orders and consent decrees or a response to unilateral administrative orders under Section 106 of CERCLA, as well as in mediation and litigation designed to allocate site costs among the named respondents and other parties.

Professional Recognitions

  • Chambers USA® (2020-present: Natural Resource & Environment)
  • Wisconsin Law Journal "Diversity in Business"(2019)
  • Best Lawyers in America® (2008–present: Environmental Law)
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated
  • Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year" (2021: Environmental Law) 

Professional & Civic Activities

  • State Bar of Wisconsin, member
  • Milwaukee Bar Association, member
  • American Bar Association, member: Environment, Energy and Resources Law Section
  • United States Law Firm Group (USLFG) Diversity & Inclusion Committee, national chair (2019-2024)
  • United States Law Firm Group (USLFG) Environmental Law Committee, member
  • National LGBT Bar Association, member
  • LGBT Bar Association of Wisconsin, member and advisory board
  • LGBT Workplace Alliance, member
  • Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce Environmental Management Council, member
  • Federation of Environmental Technologists, member
  • The Fair Wisconsin Education Fund, board of directors (2009-2011)
  • Quarles & Brady Diversity Committee, national co-chair
  • Quarles & Brady LGBT Affinity Group, member
  • Eastcastle Place, board of directors (2016-2024), secretary
  • Harvard Club of Wisconsin, officer, secretary (2009-2011), president (2003-2009)
  • Harvard Alumni Association, appointed director, Harvard Law School Association (2000-2003)
  • Early Music Now, former board member (1995-2024), secretary
  • United Way Pride Council, member

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