Rigano establishes new law firm: Rigano, LLC

James Rigano has opened his own law firm, Rigano, LLC. "I wanted to pursue opportunities as an entrepreneur and continue my law practice concentrating in the environmental field," Rigano said. "We have the knowledge, experience and talent to provide our clients with the best possible legal representation on complex environmental issues associated with industrial and commercial facilities, solid waste projects, power plants and typical redevelopment activities," said Rigano. "We offer clients the sophistication of a major law firm while providing a nimble, entrepreneurial approach." Rigano, who has concentrated his practice exclusively in environmental law for almost three decades, has experience in subsurface contamination and solid waste issues. He has assisted clients in many matters before environmental regulatory agencies on projects involving the development of contaminated property and on substantial waste disposal permitting projects involving landfills, incineration facilities, and transfer stations. He also has handled a range of cases involving wetlands, open space, and air pollution issues, and has litigated cost recovery actions. Prior to establishing Rigano LLC, Rigano was a partner at Certilman Balin Alder & Hyman, LLP, where he had co-chaired the firm's environmental practice group since 2003. Prior to joining Certilman, he was a partner responsible for environmental matters at McMillan Rather Bennett & Rigano. Rigano also was an attorney in the enforcement division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he was involved in a variety of water pollution control programs, and was environmental counsel to the New York Power Authority. Prior to practicing law, Rigano was an environmental scientist for five years researching the environmental effects of electric power generation. He has authored numerous articles and lectured extensively on a variety of environmental and insurance coverage topics. He has also chaired numerous environmental and insurance conferences. He is co-chair of the Environmental & Energy Task Force of Action Long Island, a business organization, and co-chairs the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Environmental Section of the New York State Bar Association. In addition, Rigano has authored more than 40 articles and has lectured extensively on a variety of environmental insurance coverage topics and has chaired more than 20 environmental conferences. Rigano received his Juris Doctor degree from Hofstra University School of Law in 1982. He received a master of science degree in biology in 1979 from New York University and a bachelor of arts degree in marine and environmental science from Adelphi University in1974. He is admitted to practice in New York, Rigano resides in Melville with his wife, Dorothy, and their four children. He serves on the boards of the Theodore Roosevelt Council (Nassau County) of the Boy Scouts of America, Action Long Island and the parish council of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Hempstead.