Overview
Linda E. Benfield is an environmental lawyer, with over 36 years’ experience in permitting, counseling and litigation 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 the regulation of “emerging contaminants,” the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, Superfund, and RCRA enforcement, as well as citizen suit litigation, settlement strategies, and related cost recovery, insurance coverage and indemnity disputes. Linda is a member of the firm’s Management Committee. She is the former chair of the Environmental Regulation Practice. She is also a member of the firm’s Government Enforcement Defense & Investigations Practice and the Manufacturing Industry Team.
Linda'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. Linda also advises clients regarding the variety of issues involved in the redevelopment, sale, or other transfer of contaminated properties.
Thought Leadership
Linda is a regular speaker on issues relating to environmental enforcement, litigation, compliance, Brownfield development and transactions.
Education
Linda graduated from Colorado College (1981 B.A., summa cum laude) and earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago (1985).
Recognition
Linda was named to BTI Consulting Group’s coveted Client Service All Star Team in 2016. This honor is bestowed upon individual attorneys who deliver outstanding client service according to corporate counsel interviewed at large organizations with $1 billion or more in revenue. In 2014, Linda was named to the Milwaukee Business Journal’s “Women of Influence” list, a list recognizing women who are leaders in their fields and communities in the Milwaukee area. She has also been peer review rated as AV Preeminent®, the highest performance rating in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ system. She has been selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of Environmental Law (1995, 2010 - 2023), Litigation - Environmental (2011 - 2022) and Natural Resources Law (2012 - 2022). Linda was named Wisconsin Natural Resources "Lawyer of the Year" (2014) and has been named the Milwaukee Environmental "Lawyer of the Year" (2010, 2013 and 2015) and Milwaukee Natural Resources "Lawyer of the Year" (2012) by Best Lawyers®. 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, Linda 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 – 2016, and 2021) and in 2008, was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women for Wisconsin Super Lawyers. Linda was honored by the Wisconsin Law Journal as one of the Women in the Law 2009. She was also recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the practice area of Natural Resources & Environment (2010-2022).
Professional Memberships
In 2012, Linda was elected to Fellowship in the American College of Environmental Lawyers. She is also 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.
Admissions
Linda is admitted to practice in Wisconsin, Colorado 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.
Community Involvement
Linda's community activities include:
- United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Chair of the Board (2020 – present); Board member (2013 – present); Campaign Co-Chair (2013)
- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Board member (2019 – present)
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Trustee (2016 – present)
- Building Brave, Board member (2016 – present)
- Milwaukee Ballet, Chair of the Board (2003-2006); Board member (1996 – 2016)
- Milwaukee Jewish Day School, Board member (2007 – 2009)
- Wild Space Dance Company, Board President (2001 – 2003), Board member (1995 – 2003)