Portrait of Matt Karmel

Matthew Karmel

Principal, Practice Group Leader - Environmental and Sustainability Law

matthew.karmel@offitkurman.com
Phone – 973.245.9905
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Matthew Karmel is passionate about sustainability and the environment and has been widely recognized for his influence and leadership in the field. As the head of the firm’s Environmental and Sustainability Law practice area, he represents a wide variety of businesses and individuals in connection with the full range of environmental matters. From Fortune 100 companies to individual homeowners, Matthew provides clients with practical and common-sense environmental counsel, including in the following areas:

  • Brownfields Redevelopment and Site Remediation
  • Regulatory Compliance and Land Use/Operational Permitting
  • Environmental Litigation and Enforcement Defense
  • Real Estate and Corporate Transactions (incl. Environmental Due Diligence and Contracting)
  • Waste Management and Recycling (incl. Development, Permitting, and Compliance)
  • Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development
  • Sustainability and Climate Change
  • Environmental Justice

In connection with the foregoing, Matthew has experience with state and federal courts and agencies, including:

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
  • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
  • New Jersey Office of Administrative Law (NJ OAL)
  • New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
  • New York City Office of Environmental Review (NYC OER)
  • American Arbitration Association (AAA)

Matthew also has specific experience with a wide range of environmental laws and regulations, including the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act (Spill Act), Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA), “Tech Regs” and “ARCCS,” Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), Flood Hazard Area Control Act, Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act, Waterfront Development Act, Clean Water Act and NJPDES permits, New Jersey Solid Waste Management Act, “Recycling Rules” (N.J.A.C. 7:26A), Solid Waste Utility Regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:26H) and A-901 requirements, New Jersey Environmental Justice Law and A0 2021-25, the New York Oil Spill Law, New York Brownfield Cleanup Program (NY BCP), and NY DER-10, as well as federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

As a sought-after thought leader on sustainability and the environment, Matthew’s presentations and writing contributions have included audiences such as Waste Dive, Waste360, BioCycle, NJBiz, Rutgers University, the Montclair State University Institute for Sustainability Studies, the Fordham University School of Law and more.

Additionally, Matthew is heavily involved in industry groups relating to sustainability and the environment. He is also a board member of the Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Industries Association and the NJ Composting Council.

He also aids with critical environmental causes through his pro bono legal services and encourages other lawyers to develop a climate-friendly legal practice through his newsletter, the planetary lawyer project.

    Education

    • Fordham University School of Law (J.D.)
    • Rutgers University (B.S., magna cum laude)
      • Economics with Honors
      • Mathematics

    State Bar Admissions

    • New Jersey
    • New York

    Recognitions

    • New York Metro Super Lawyers® - Rising Stars list for Environmental (2026)
    • Chambers and Partners, Band 2: Energy & Natural Resources - USA Guide 2025, 2026
    • Chambers and Partners, Up and Coming: Environment - USA Guide 2025, 2026
    • Lawdragon 500 Global Leaders in Energy - (2026)
    • 2024 Green Pro Bono’s Creative Collaborator Award
    • 2023 NJBIZ "Forty Under Forty Honoree," recognizing New Jersey professionals under the age of 40 for their successes and leadership
    • 2022-2026 NJBIZ “Law Power 50,” highlighting the most influential attorneys in New Jersey
    • 2022 ROI-NJ "Influencers in Law - Rising Star,” highlighting the lawyers in New Jersey that have the most influence on business issues and transactions (with less than ten years in practice)
    • 2022 Waste 360 “40 Under 40” list by Waste360, acknowledging impressive professionals under 40 in the waste and recycling industry
    • Named The Best Lawyers in America® for Energy Law and Environmental Law (2026-2027)
    • Named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Energy Law, Environmental Law (2021-2025). The “Ones to Watch” awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States
    • Selected to New Jersey Rising Stars® for Environmental Law (2022 - 2026).
    • 2021 “Rising Star” Recycling Award by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The NJDEP Recycling Awards recognize the outstanding recycling achievements of municipalities, counties, businesses and industry, and individuals

    No aspect of these advertisements or awards has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

    Services

    • Biography
    • Representative Matters
    • Publications & News
    • Blog Posts
    • Featured Works
    • Events

    Firm Highlights

  • Events
    The NIL Educational Workshop
    The NIL Educational Workshop
  • Blog Posts
    Can AI Buy a Company? What Buyers Need to Know About AI’s Role and Limitations in M&A Transactions
    Can AI Buy a Company? What Buyers Need to Know About AI’s Role and Limitations in M&A Transactions
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman’s Martin Garbus Following Successful Run of The People v. Lenny Bruce
    Offit Kurman’s Martin Garbus Following Successful Run of The People v. Lenny Bruce
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Attorney Recognized on 2027 North Carolina Super Lawyers® List
    Offit Kurman Attorney Recognized on 2027 North Carolina Super Lawyers® List
  • Events
    MACFO's Inside Successful CEO & CFO Partnerships
    Please join us on September 18 for an event that’s sure to be a home run! ***We will lead off by interviewing our Spotlight Speaker Series guest, Baltimore Orioles CFO, Darline Llamas Llopis.*** After, we will ask ourselves, what separates great companies from good ones? We believe that more often than not, it is the strength of the partnership between the CEO and CFO that matters, so we are bringing you three CEO/CFO leadership teams to learn from. The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore – Andrew Cushnir and Sam Klein Canusa Paper & Packaging – Mike Walter and Vince Salamone EMR – Caroline Kauffman-Kirschnick and Lisa Loeffler Join us for an exclusive executive briefing – three tandem presentations followed by a panel discussion - featuring CEOs and CFOs from different but leading organizations as they share candid insights into building trust, navigating difficult decisions, driving strategic growth, and leading through today's business challenges. You'll hear firsthand how these executive teams navigate conflict, align on priorities, and build high-performing organizations. Whether you're a CFO, controller, finance executive, or an aspiring business leader, you'll leave with practical ideas and fresh perspectives you can apply immediately. Meet Our Speakers: Darline Llamas Llopis • Orioles  Chief Financial Officer Darline Llamas Llopis is in her second season with the Orioles as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to joining the Orioles, Llamas Llopis spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and the F1 Miami Grand Prix as Vice President of Finance and Retail. In this capacity, she managed the finance, accounting, payroll, account payables, procurement and merchandise operations for the team and race. She also previously served for four years as the Director of Finance and Controller at the Los Angeles Rams. Llamas Llopis started her career in public accounting with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers as a member of the Commercial Real Estate practice.  Llamas Llopis completed her MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Management and received her Master of Accountancy from the University of Southern California (USC) where she also graduated cum laude with an undergraduate degree in business. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and is an active CPA. She resides in Baltimore with her husband, Devin, and their son, Santiago. Andrew Cushnir • The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore   President & Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cushnir is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Associated, having started in the role in May 2024. He is the eighth person to serve in this role since The Associated’s founding over 100 years ago. Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a profound dedication to strengthening and enriching the Jewish community. His journey within the Jewish Federation system began as a passionate lay leader and volunteer before he transitioned into serving as a professional. He worked for the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles for twenty years, including in the roles of Chief Planning and Program Officer and Chief Development Officer. During this time, Andrew played a crucial role in reshaping the allocation process and fostering a culture of collaboration and partnership and he also led all annual, project, and emergency fundraising, as well as planned giving efforts. As a member of the Federation’s executive team, he also addressed complex community and organizational issues. Andrew and his wife Sharon Spira-Cushnir, a seasoned nonprofit human services executive, are the proud parents of two children in their early 20s. Sam Klein • The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore  Chief Financial Officer Sam Klein is a seasoned nonprofit finance executive with nearly two decades of experience leading financial strategy, operations, budgeting, and organizational transformation for mission-driven institutions. As Chief Financial Officer of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, he oversees the organization's financial operations, investment stewardship, budgeting processes, risk management, and long-term financial planning, helping advance the Federation's mission of strengthening and supporting Jewish life in Baltimore, Israel, and around the world. Throughout his career, Sam has been recognized for his ability to align financial stewardship with organizational mission, drive process improvements, implement technology solutions, and build high-performing teams. His expertise includes nonprofit finance, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, investment oversight, financial reporting, compliance, operational excellence, and organizational growth. Sam earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University. Mike Walter • Canusa's Paper & Packaging Chief Executive Officer As Chief Executive Officer of Canusa Paper & Packaging (CPP), Mike Walter leads one of the world's leading independent international brokerages of containerboard and packaging papers. Mike recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with Canusa and has overseen a doubling of the business in the past five years. Mike’s first role at Canusa was an intern before moving into a risk management role. Progressive promotions over the years led Mike to serve as Canusa's Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, as well as General Counsel for its affiliate, Canusa Hershman before becoming the CPP CEO on January 1st, 2025. Mike graduated with a B.S. in Commerce & Engineering from Drexel University before earning his J.D. at the University of Baltimore’s School of Law. Vince Salamone • Canusa's Paper & Packaging Chief Financial Officer Vince Salamone serves as Chief Financial Officer of Canusa Paper & Packaging, overseeing the company's global financial strategy and overall operations, risk management, and other shared services. Since joining Canusa in 2018, Vince has advanced from Corporate Controller to CFO. Prior to Canusa, Vince held senior accounting and financial reporting roles at modular space leader Algeco Scotsman and supply chain real estate operator Realterm, bringing extensive expertise in finance and corporate accounting. He began his career with Deloitte, providing assurance services to clients in aerospace and defense, software, and manufacturing throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Vince attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, earning his B.S. in Accounting in 2012 and his CPA license in 2014. Caroline Kauffman-Kirschnick • The Electric Motor Repair Company President Caroline Kauffman is President of EMR, where she leads company strategy, operations, business development, and culture. Having grown up in the family business and worked in nearly every area of the organization—from accounts receivable and human resources to operations and branch leadership—she brings a unique, firsthand understanding of what drives business success. Since becoming President in 2018, Caroline has championed employee engagement, teamwork, and innovative problem-solving while helping guide EMR's continued growth. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from York College of Pennsylvania and is active in several industry and family business organizations. Lisa Loeffler • The Electric Motor Repair Company Chief Financial Officer Lisa Loeffler is a strategic Chief Financial Officer with more than 25 years of executive leadership experience driving growth, financial transformation, and operational excellence across private equity-backed, privately held, and international organizations. She has led finance functions for companies with revenues from $40 million to $600 million, specializing in M&A, FP&A, ERP implementations, financial strategy, and organizational transformation. Known for building high-performing teams and partnering with CEOs and boards, Lisa delivers scalable solutions that strengthen financial performance, improve operational efficiency, and position organizations for sustainable growth and successful transactions. Thank You to Our Sponsors
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Announces Addition of Four Attorneys
    Offit Kurman Announces Addition of Four Attorneys
  • Podcasts
    Maximizing Cash Flow and Collections
    Attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Burger of Offit Kurman discuss how businesses can improve cash flow by staying on top of accounts receivable and treating collections first as a business process. They stress proactive client selection, credit reviews, AR management, and strong contracts with clear payment terms, remedies, fee provisions, and jurisdiction clauses. Sarah and Russell recommend establishing a clear internal process to identify overdue accounts and decide when to send demand letters or pursue litigation. For industries with frequent slow-pay issues, they suggest creating a repeatable, scalable collections “blueprint” and exploring AI to increase efficiency.
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Atlanta Office Recognized as Legal Food Frenzy Rookie of the Year
    Offit Kurman Atlanta Office Recognized as Legal Food Frenzy Rookie of the Year
  • Podcasts
    Meet Tevia Hoalst, TeKoda Accounting
    In this episode of Java with Jim, host Jim Ries interviews Tevia Hoalst, owner and CEO of TeKoda Accounting. Tevia explains that TeKoda operates as an outsourced accounting department focused on pre-tax work and partners with clients’ tax firms. They provide customizable accounting support with a fully US-based team. She highlights TeKoda’s people-first, relational approach and shares that she is most proud of the company’s strong culture. She believes the client outcomes are improved by the low turnover and higher-quality work of her employees. Tevia discusses excitement about growth opportunities in the next six months, potentially including acquisitions. She shares a couple personal surprises, including not coming from an accounting background and running a draft-horse rescue on her farm.
  • Blog Posts
    OIG Advisory Opinion 26-12 Approves Concierge Program Warranty for Surgical Outcomes
    OIG Advisory Opinion 26-12 Approves Concierge Program Warranty for Surgical Outcomes