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Sigmund D. Schutz


Partner
Practice Focus: Environmental, Litigation, Media Law
Office: Portland, ME
Phone:207.791.3000
Fax:207.791.3111
Email:sschutz@preti.com
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Sigmund D. Schutz practices environmental law and complex litigation with a focus on environmental litigation and toxic torts, environmental transactions and brownfields, environmental enforcement by state and federal regulators, land use, securities disputes, construction, and complex business disputes. Sig blends jury trial and appellate experience with substantive environmental expertise. He has over 20 contested hearings to his credit, including jury trials, multi-week arbitrations and complex administrative hearings. Sig has been counsel of record in more than a dozen reported judicial decisions.

Sig also concentrates his practice in media law. He represents the Maine Press Association and the press on First Amendment matters, libel and privacy law, state and federal sunshine laws, newsgathering and related matters. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America in First Amendment Law and as a "Rising Star" in Super Lawyers New England. He is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Jonathan S. Piper & Sigmund D. Schutz, Maine's Freedom of Access Act, in OPEN GOVERNMENT GUIDE (Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press) (5th ed. 2006).
  • Daniel Rapaport, Kurt Olafsen, Sigmund D. Schutz, & Jonathan Mermin, Tort Killer: Applying the Economic Loss Doctrine to Service Contracts, 20 Me.B.J. 100 (2005).
  • Sigmund D. Schutz, Time to Reconsider Nullum Tempus Occurrit Regi – The Applicability of Statutes of Limitations Against the State of Maine in Civil Actions, 55 ME.L.REV. 373 (2003).
  • Sigmund D. Schutz, Freedom of Access Law: It's Not Easy Keeping Secrets, 14 Me.B.J. 138 (1999).
  • Jonathan S. Piper & Sigmund D. Schutz, Maine Libel Law, in MEDIA LIBEL LAW, (Media Law Resource Center) (annually, 1998 – Present).

Admissions

Maine; New Hampshire; New York; United States District Court for the Districts of Maine and New Hampshire; United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; United States Supreme Court.

Civic Involvement

  • Member of the Board of Portland Ovations (2008 - Present).
  • Chair of the Board of the Southern Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross (2004-2006).
  • Clerk of the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition (http://www.mfoic.org/) (2003-Present).
  • Member of the Environmental Technology Board of the Maine Technology Institute (http://www.mainetechnology.org/) (2000-2006).
  • Member of the Environmental Technology Council of Maine (2006 - Present).
  • Member of the Maine, New Hampshire, New York and American Bar Associations.
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    Representative Matters

    Environmental
    Defend state and federal environmental enforcement actions, including largest pesticides enforcement matter in U.S. EPA Region I.
    Counsel responsible parties in connection with environmental clean-up and reimbursement obligations at Superfund, hazardous waste and petroleum sites, including defense of $250 million Maine DEP Uncontrolled Hazardous Substances Site Act Compliance Order.
    Resolve $1.2 million property damage claims against municipality for residential and commercial landowners located on top of former municipal landfill.
    Resolve property damage claims by lakefront property owners arising from large No. 6 oil spill into Maine lake.
    File with the U.S. EPA successful sole source aquifer petition under the Clean Water Act for Conanicut Island in Rhode Island.

     

    Litigation
    Defend environmental consultants in $1 million federal court jury trial against a manufacturing company claiming that faulty environmental site assessment missed hazardous waste discharges.
    Defend environmental engineers in a 3 week arbitration alleging $15 million negligent design of water treatment system.
    Defend paper company in multi-plaintiff toxic tort lawsuit involving alleged brain cancer cluster.
    Won $419,000 securities arbitration in Boston against Morgan Stanley DW, Inc.
    Won $40 million securities fraud arbitration in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Kingspan Group plc in connection with stock purchase of Maryland manufacturer.
    Counsel to beneficiaries and executors/personal representatives in securities and probate litigation and arbitration related to mishandling of assets, securities fraud, and other matters.
    Represent owners and contractors in construction litigation and arbitration.

     

    Media
    Won summary judgment in favor of eight media organizations against claims of libel, invasion of privacy and violation of civil rights in federal court arising from reporting on alleged unlawful confiscation of firearms from individual's home.
    Won access to state and federal public records for media organizations after trial and appeal.
    Pre-publication review of daily newspaper articles, features, and broadcasts for news organizations. 
    Won dismissal of claims against New York Times reporter accused of defamation by celebrity chef.

    Other Bios: Climate Strategy Bio , Trusts & Estates Bio

    Schutz, Sigmund, Sig
    Sigmund D. Schutz is a Partner in the Portland, ME office. He practices environmental law and civil litigation.
    Nickname: Sig