91��Ƶ

Image

As a law student, Haley Brescia ’21 took full advantage of the opportunities available at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, including her early work as a Land Use Law Scholar and her leadership roles as President of the Environmental Law Society and Editor-in-Chief of the 91��Ƶ Environmental Law Review. Today, as an associate in the environmental practice group at Cole Schotz PC, she draws on those experiences to navigate complex environmental regulatory and transactional matters, helping clients address environmental risks associated with real estate and business transactions.

For Haley, the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience while developing a strong foundation in environmental law was a defining part of her legal education and instrumental in preparing her for practice at a prominent law firm.

“When I was applying to law school, I knew I wanted to practice environmental law, so I focused my search on schools with strong environmental programs,” Haley recalls. “Haub Law immediately stood out because of its reputation as one of the leading environmental law programs in the country and the depth of opportunities it offers beyond the classroom.”

Haley first developed an interest in environmental law during her undergraduate studies at Duke University, where courses in environmental science and policy introduced her to the ways legal frameworks influence environmental decision-making, development, and land use. As her interest in the field grew, she knew she wanted to pursue a legal education that would allow her to fully immerse herself in environmental law. Haub Law's combination of specialized coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and nationally recognized faculty made it a natural fit.

At Haub Law, Haley embraced opportunities to build both her legal knowledge and practical skills. As President of the Environmental Law Society and Editor-in-Chief of the 91��Ƶ Environmental Law Review, she strengthened her leadership, research, writing, and organizational abilities while developing a deeper understanding of environmental law. These experiences would prove invaluable as she transitioned into legal practice.

One of the most influential aspects of Haley's law school experience was her work at the Land Use Law Center, where she served as a Land Use Law Scholar and worked closely with Professor John Nolon, later becoming his research assistant. Through the Center, Haley gained hands-on experience researching real-world environmental and land use issues, allowing her to apply legal concepts beyond the classroom from the very beginning of her law school journey.

Seeing how legal concepts translated into practice made the field feel tangible and reinforced my decision to pursue environmental law.

“I remember being surprised by how quickly I was able to move from learning about land use law in the classroom to researching real-world issues and contributing to projects,” Haley shares. “Seeing how legal concepts translated into practice made the field feel tangible and reinforced my decision to pursue environmental law.”

Professor Nolon's mentorship also played a significant role in shaping Haley's academic and professional development. “He was generous with his time and guidance, consistently encouraging me to take on challenging research and writing projects and to think critically about complex land use and environmental issues,” she recalls.

The research, writing, and analytical skills Haley developed through her work with Professor Nolon and the Land Use Law Center remain central to her practice today. Equally important was the supportive and collaborative Haub Law community, where faculty members encouraged students to pursue challenging opportunities and provided guidance as they prepared to enter the legal profession.

Following graduation in 2021, Haley joined the environmental practice group at Cole Schotz PC, where she immediately began working alongside experienced attorneys on environmental transactional and regulatory matters. Her practice focuses on environmental issues arising in real estate and business transactions, particularly environmental due diligence and site remediation.

In her role, Haley reviews environmental site assessments, evaluates historical property uses, and advises clients on potential environmental risks when buying, selling, or financing properties or businesses. She also works on matters involving site investigations and cleanup, coordinates with environmental consultants and regulators, and helps clients navigate state remediation programs. Additionally, her practice involves negotiating environmental risk-allocation provisions in purchase agreements and structuring environmental insurance coverage to manage potential exposure.

The work requires not only a strong understanding of environmental law and regulatory frameworks, but also the ability to translate complex technical findings into practical legal advice, all skills Haley began developing through her experiences at Haub Law.

“What I enjoy most about the work is how collaborative it is,” Haley explains. “On any given day, I may be working closely with consultants, regulators, developers, lenders, and other attorneys, bringing legal, technical, and business perspectives together to help projects succeed.”

Among Haley's proudest professional accomplishments was her involvement in a complex matter under New Jersey's Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), in which PFAS compounds were identified during a site investigation. With PFAS regulations continuing to evolve, the matter presented uncertainty surrounding investigation requirements and regulatory closure. Working closely with environmental consultants, Haley helped navigate the technical findings within the regulatory framework and advise on a path forward, contributing to the team's successful resolution of the matter.

As Haub Law celebrates its 50th anniversary, Haley is proud to be part of an alumni community with a longstanding legacy of leadership in environmental law. She hopes the Law School will continue to expand its influence in the field and provide future generations of students with the knowledge, practical experience, and mentorship needed to address emerging environmental challenges.

It is incredible to be part of an alumni community connected to a school with such a strong legacy in environmental law.

“It is incredible to be part of an alumni community connected to a school with such a strong legacy in environmental law,” Haley shares. “Haub Law has played an important role in shaping leaders in the field, and it is exciting to be part of a network of alumni committed to addressing environmental challenges through the law.”