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.
Environmental & More Attorney · Serving Albany, NY · 53+ Years Experience
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.
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About 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. 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 Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Philip H. Gitlen handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Albany.
Land Use & Zoning in Albany
Philip H. Gitlen is one of 39,875 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in New York →
Environmental Law in Albany
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Philip H. Gitlen is one of 55,977 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in New York →
Insurance Law in Albany
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
Philip H. Gitlen is one of 120,903 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in New York →
Appellate Practice in Albany
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Philip H. Gitlen is one of 85,572 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in New York →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Albany
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.
Albany Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Albany-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Albany or all attorneys in New York.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Albany Choose Philip H. Gitlen
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Philip H. Gitlen's practice in the field of zoning, environmental, insurance, and appellate.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Philip H. Gitlen brings 53+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering zoning, environmental, and insurance, Philip H. Gitlen can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Albany
A Albany-based practice means Philip H. Gitlen attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Philip H. Gitlen's Practice Areas & Specializations
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