Hodgson Russ names Hecker Real Estate, environment, energy and finance practice area leader

Buffalo, NY Hodgson Russ LLP said that Michael Hecker has been named practice area leader of the firm’s newly combined real estate, environment, energy & finance practice area. He will lead a team of more than 50 nationally recognized attorneys, along with other business professionals, that regularly work as part of multi-disciplinary teams to serve client needs. Before being elevated to his new position, Hecker served as the firm’s environmental practice leader. He also serves on the firm’s board of directors.

A lawyer with a broad-based environmental and energy-based practice, Hecker focuses on addressing environmental issues in business transactions; renewable energy project development; regulatory compliance counseling and permitting; administrative, civil, and criminal environmental defense; and remediation-based project oversight and management.

Hecker has been recognized by various professional organizations for his legal work and acumen, including being ranked as Tier 1 by Chambers USA, and listed multiple times in “Best Lawyers in America” (Best Lawyers/U.S. News & World Report) and “Super Lawyers.”  He also currently serves as president of the University at Buffalo Law Alumni Association and first vice-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s environment & energy law section.

The newly combined real estate, environment, energy & finance practice was formed by merging the firm’s environment & energy practice into its real estate, finance & bankruptcy practice area. Both groups have received national accolades, including recognition in Chambers USA, as well as “Best Law Firms” Metropolitan Tier 1 rankings by Best Lawyers/U.S. News & World Report in the environmental law and real estate law categories.

“The environment & energy practice has been one of the firm’s fastest growing areas in recent years, driven by the rapid expansion of work in the renewable energy sector,” Hecker said. “The entrepreneurial efforts – and cross collaboration – of attorneys in the real estate and environment & energy practices have greatly contributed to that growth. By bringing these two groups together under one umbrella, we will help to further facilitate continued collaboration and growth, with the ultimate goal of delivering unmatched service to our clients.”

A full-service law firm with more than 200 attorneys, Hodgson Russ LLP helps clients maximize opportunities and minimize legal obstacles. Our attorneys utilize multidisciplinary work teams to meet clients’ specific, often complex needs. Clients include public and privately held businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit institutions, and individuals. Hodgson Russ has offices in New York City, Toronto, Buffalo, Palm Beach, Albany, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Greensboro, and Hackensack.