Atty. Philip H. Gitlen
Philip Gitlen has been practicing environmental law since 1974, first at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, where he served as General Counsel from 1977-1978, and then in private practice. Mr.
Profile Summary
About Philip H. Gitlen at a glance
Philip H. Gitlen is a Senior Counsel based in Albany, New York, practicing at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP. They have 53+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1973. Their practice focuses on zoning, environmental, insurance, and appellate. Admitted to practice in New York (1973). Educated at New York University (J.D., 1972) and Lehigh University (B.A., 1969). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Serves clients in Albany, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Philip Gitlen has been practicing environmental law since 1974, first at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, where he served as General Counsel from 1977-1978, and then in private practice
- Mr. Gitlen joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in 1981 where he has represented large and small corporations, government agencies and environmental organizations in environmental permitting, enforcement and siting and acquisition of solid waste landfills and hazardous waste management facilities
- He also represents businesses in environmental due diligence for mergers and acquisitions and in negotiating and drafting the environmental provisions of various business agreements
- Mr. Gitlen was co-managing partner of the Firm from 2003-2017
- Representative Accomplishments Represented industrial client in a federal court trial involving Superfund liability for remedial costs at a large regional New York landfill
- The outcome of the two-week trial was zero liability for the client
- Represents Fortune 100 client at National Priorities List Site in Brooklyn NY involving sediment remediation
- Represented the client in a binding allocation process with more than two dozen other potentially responsible parties
- Based on the allocation results, represents the client in a de minimis settlement agreement negotiation with USEPA
- Manages environmental clean-up litigation and arbitration for various large and small industrial and commercial clients under the federal and State Superfund statutes, New York State Navigation Law and related statutes, including precedent-setting litigation involving U.S
- Environmental Protection Agency Municipal Settlement Policy and litigation involving “divisibility” issues
- Represents clients in connection with hazardous waste facility permitting matters under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and New York State regulations
- Represents the major U.S. manufacturer of outdoor wood furnaces in connection with federal Clean Air Act and state regulatory programs
- Represents purchasers of commercial properties in connection with potential oil and hazardous substance issues
- Represented The Sierra Club in precedent-setting litigation in New York’s highest court establishing the right of recreational use of rivers previously used in commerce
- Affiliations Mr. Gitlen was an adjunct professor of law at Albany Law School from 1994-1999
- Background/Education Mr. Gitlen received a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1972 and a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Lehigh University in 1969
Practice Areas Explained
Philip H. Gitlen's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Philip H. Gitlen handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Philip H. Gitlen is one of 36,102 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in New York →
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Philip H. Gitlen is one of 50,776 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in New York →
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
Philip H. Gitlen is one of 109,871 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in New York →
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Philip H. Gitlen is one of 77,587 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in New York →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in New York
Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Albany are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Albany or all attorneys in New York.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Philip H. Gitlen
Where is Philip H. Gitlen's law office located?
What practice areas does Philip H. Gitlen handle?
How long has Philip H. Gitlen practiced law?
Where did Philip H. Gitlen go to law school?
How can I contact Philip H. Gitlen for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Philip H. Gitlen received?
Practice Areas
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.