Linda E. Benfield is the managing partner of the Milwaukee office of Foley & Lardner LLP. She is a member and former chair of the Environmental Regulation Practice. She is also a member of the firm’s Government Enforcement, Compliance & White Collar Defense Practice.
Ms. Benfield has 26 years of experience in litigation and counseling in all aspects of environmental law, including air and water permitting and compliance issues, and solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal. She has extensive experience on the cutting edge of Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Superfund, and RCRA enforcement, as well as citizen suit litigation, settlement strategies, and related cost recovery, insurance coverage, and indemnity disputes.
Ms. Benfield's recent cases and administrative proceedings include the defense of numerous complaints by U.S. EPA or state environmental agencies alleging air emissions or "new source review" violations, representation of clients in U.S. EPA multi-media audits, and prosecution and defense of citizen suit actions and cost recovery actions in federal and state courts. Ms. Benfield also advises clients regarding the variety of issues involved in the redevelopment, sale, or other transfer of contaminated properties.
Ms. Benfield is a regular speaker on issues relating to environmental enforcement, litigation, compliance, Brownfield development, and transactions.
Ms. Benfield graduated from Colorado College (1981 B.A., summa cum laude) and earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago (1985).
Ms. Benfield has been Peer Review Rated as AV® Preeminent™, the highest performance rating in Martindale-Hubbell's peer review rating system. She is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (1995-2013) and has been named the 2010 and 2013 Milwaukee Environmental Lawyer of the Year and 2012 Milwaukee Natural Resources Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America. Based on exhaustive peer-review surveys, attorneys honored as "Lawyers of the Year" have received particularly high ratings for their abilities, professionalism and integrity. In addition, Ms. Benfield was included in The International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers 2011 list. She was also selected for inclusion in the Wisconsin Super Lawyers® lists (2005-2012) and in 2008, was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women for Wisconsin Super Lawyers. Ms. Benfield was honored by the Wisconsin Law Journal as one of the Women in the Law 2009, an award bestowed on only 21 female attorneys in Wisconsin. She was also included in the 2010-2013 editions of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. In 2012, Ms. Benfield was elected to Fellowship in the American College of Environmental Lawyers.
Ms. Benfield is a Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation, an honorary program which recognizes members of the profession in Wisconsin who are known by their peers for high achievements in their profession and outstanding contributions for the advancement and improvement of the administration of justice in the State of Wisconsin.
Ms. Benfield is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. She is also admitted to practice before numerous federal courts, including the district court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the Western District of Wisconsin.
Ms. Benfield's community activities include:
- Co-chair, Milwaukee United Way Campaign (2013)
- Milwaukee Ballet, chair of the board (2003-2006); board member (1996-present)
- Milwaukee Jewish Day School, board member (2007-2009)
- Wild Space Dance Company, board president (2001-2003), board member (1995-2003)
- Racine Lead Advisory Board (1993-1996)