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Paul C. Dritsas
Alternate image for Paul C. Dritsas

Paul C. Dritsas

Partner

973.639.2063
Newark
pdritsas@mccarter.com

Clients commend Paul for being "very responsive and proactive. He stays on schedule and has a commercial mindset." —Chambers USA

Armed with more than 30 years’ of experience in the practice of environmental law and a pragmatic and creative approach to problem solving, Paul Dritsas counsels clients regarding the environmental aspects of real estate and corporate transactions, the applicability of and compliance with New Jersey and federal site remediation requirements, including New Jersey’s unique Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), regulatory and permit compliance, and the investigation, remediation and redevelopment of contaminated properties.

Major companies, real estate investment trusts, and financial institutions (among other clients) enlist Paul to handle environmental due diligence investigations, including Phase I and Phase II site assessments and compliance audits, in support of transactions involving U.S. and international facilities. They retain Paul to identify and evaluate environmental contingent liabilities and prepare and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, including environmental indemnification agreements.

Paul has substantial experience with handling environmental issues associated with the purchase, sale, or disposition of brownfield properties. This work includes providing audits and due diligence; preparing and negotiating acquisition, leasing and financing agreements; resolving site remediation and environmental insurance issues; and counseling clients concerning the redevelopment and reuse of such properties.

With knowledge and insights gained by decades of hands-on experience, he assists clients in successfully navigating burdensome requirements and securing regulatory closure from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection of contaminated sites under ISRA, the Brownfield and Contaminated Sites Remediation Act (BCSRA), the Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances Act (UST Act), and the Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA). He has counseled numerous companies regarding ISRA applicability determinations and in formulating and implementing ISRA, BCSRA, UST Act and SRRA compliance programs, including negotiating Licensed Site Remediation Professional agreements. He helps major companies structure and perform environmental audits and negotiates and secures environmental permits from environmental agencies.

Representative Matters

The Birch Group—Acquisition

Represented privately owned commercial real estate investor, owner, and operator The Birch Group in acquiring an 80-unit apartment complex for $42.85 million. 

LaRose Industries—Acquisition

Represented LaRose Industries, LLC, d/b/a Cra-Z-Art, a prime manufacturer and global leader in classic toy, arts and crafts kits, puzzles, and school supplies, in the acquisition of the Arts, Crafts, Stationery (AST) business from Mattel.

French chemical company—Acquisition/regulatory compliance

Assisted a French specialty chemical company in acquiring the stock of a pesticide and insecticide formulation company with facilities in New Jersey and New York. We handled post-acquisition regulatory compliance and site remediation matters at the newly acquired facilities.

Real estate development company—Brownfields redevelopment matters

Represent a leading real estate development company with respect to all environmental matters arising from the acquisition and subsequent redevelopment of a 250-acre former chemical manufacturing site. Our work at this brownfield site, which now boasts five new state-of–the-art industrial logistics buildings, has included handling environmental due diligence review and negotiation of environmental terms of sale and site remediation compliance issues arising from the post-acquisition subdivision and redevelopment of this former industrial tract. We also have reviewed and drafted terms for new environmental insurance coverage and for the assignment of, or rights under, certain existing environmental insurance policies.

California biotech company—Acquisition

Represented a California biotech company in acquiring the stock of a resins manufacturing company with facilities in Linden, New Jersey. Our subsequent representation of this biotech company included the divestiture of the resins manufacturing business to a major chemical company and the handling of ISRA proceedings related to the Linden facilities.

Pool parts and equipment manufacturer—Acquisitions and divestitures

Represent a pool parts manufacturer concerning the environmental aspects of numerous transactional matters throughout the United States and abroad. These matters have included acquisitions of pool and spa equipment manufacturers, a circulation systems manufacturer and automatic pool chemical distribution software company, the divestiture of a former manufacturing plant in California, and the leasing of a new corporate headquarters. The representation also has included counseling with respect to remediation and redevelopment of legacy manufacturing facilities in New Jersey.

International mining company—Environmental site remediation, regulatory compliance

Advising a publicly traded international metals mining company in connection with the remediation and redevelopment of a large former copper smelting facility. Our work includes handling the defense and settlement of a threatened Resource Conservation and Recovery Act claim and the defense of a class action toxic tort lawsuit; assisting the client in addressing regulatory requirements for the on-site and off-site investigation and remediation of legacy contamination issues, including in residential areas in the surrounding community and in certain tidal wetlands and surface water bodies; and addressing regulatory issues arising from the divestiture and redevelopment of the property.

Rail transport company—Site remediation for redevelopment

Represent a commercial rail transport company in environmental matters associated with the redevelopment of environmentally impacted property located in northern New Jersey, for critical commercial rail transportation purposes. Our representation includes overseeing and resolving legal issues related to the remediation of the property in advance of redevelopment and counseling concerning site remediation cost allocation matters.

Multinational construction company—Site investigation, remediation

Advise a multinational infrastructure construction company on the investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination at, and emanating from, a legacy site in New Jersey. The representation includes interfacing with a licensed site remediation professional, resolving issues associated with the investigation and remediation of substantial groundwater plume and vapor intrusion issues, negotiating off-site access agreements, and assisting the client with recoupment of site remediation costs under an existing settlement agreement with a major insurance carrier.

International chemical processor—Sale of former manufacturing facility

Represented an international chemical processing company in the phased sale of its former fluoropolymer manufacturing facility for redevelopment. The first phase involved the sale of a heavily contaminated portion of the property, which had historically been used as a large petroleum storage facility, for re-use as a retail shopping center. The second phase involved the sale of a formerly active portion of the company’s manufacturing plant for warehouse use by a specialty foods company.  

Real estate investment trust—Acquisition

Represented a real estate investment trust in its acquisition and redevelopment—with its joint venture partner—of a former ship demolition and salvaging facility bordering the Delaware River. The representation included conducting an environmental due diligence investigation; evaluating site remediation status; and counseling regarding brownfield redevelopment, remediation reimbursement, and available brownfield grant and loan options.

Large Japanese specialty glass manufacturer—Acquisition of U.S. and international manufacturing businesses

Represented a major Japanese specialty glass manufacturer as special environmental counsel in acquiring a fluoropolymer manufacturing business with facilities in Bayonne, New Jersey; Thorndale, Pennsylvania; and Great Britain.

Highlights

Recognitions

Recognition image 10957
The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Real Estate Law, New Jersey, 2023
Recognition image 10954
Chambers USA, Environment, New Jersey, 2013–2021
Paul is an “experienced practitioner who knows both New Jersey and federal environmental laws and regulations inside out.”—Chambers USA
Paul Dritsas is characterized by clients as a "practical and efficient lawyer who handles sophisticated transactions at a very high level."—Chambers USA
"He is very thoughtful and considered in his opinions and has a lot of great experience." "He is very talented."—Chambers USA
Ranking Disclaimers: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For The Best Lawyers in America methodology, see https://www.bestlawyers.com/methodology. For Chambers methodology, see https://chambers.com/about-us/methodology.

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Services

Environment & Energy
Environment & Energy Strategic Counseling
Environment & Energy Transactions
Real Estate Acquisitions & Development
Healthcare

Education

Seton Hall University School of Law JD, 1987
Muhlenberg College BS, 1979

Bar Admissions

New Jersey

Memberships & Certifications

Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey
Environmental Business Council

New Jersey State Bar Association
Environmental Law Section

Insights Awards Trophy
News|Recognition
The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 153 McCarter Attorneys in 2023 Referral Guide; Names Four “Lawyer of the Year”
The Best Lawyers in America
8.19.2022
Insights Awards Top Stars
News|Recognition
Chambers Ranks 50 McCarter Lawyers and 16 Practice Areas for 2022
6.6.2022
Insights Alert Escavator
Publications|Alert
NJDEP Extends Certain Site Remediation Deadlines Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Environment & Energy Alert
4.28.2020
Insights News Contract Stack
Publications|Alert
Generators of Regulated Medical Waste in New Jersey Must Meet Federal Standards After Preemptions
Environmental & Healthcare Alert
1.21.2016
Insights News Headline Stack
Publications|Article
Regulatory Gap Remains for Chemical Tanks Due to No EPA Spill-Prevention Requirement
Bloomberg BNA: Daily Environment Report
10.2.2015
Insights Publication Magazine Pages
Publications|Alert
New Jersey Supreme Court: No Statute of Limitations for Private Claims for Contribution Under NJ Spill Act
Environment & Energy Alert
1.28.2015
Insights Publication Magazine Stack
Publications|Alert
NJ Spill Act Contribution Rights in Jeopardy Under Proposed Bill: Points to Consider
M&E Environment & Energy Alert
12.9.2014
Insights Speaking Seminar
Events|Speaking Engagement
Redevelopment in New Jersey: Strategies for Success
4.3.2014
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