Linda Martin is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer in environmental cases, regularly working with state and federal regulatory agencies to assist clients, including municipalities, in finding environmentally sound, cost effective remedies to alleged violations of environmental laws. She has negotiated with the EPA on behalf of numerous clients facing suit or threat of suit.
Linda has more than 30 years’ experience in environmental litigation and regulatory matters, including cases involving alleged water discharge violations, hazardous waste, groundwater contamination, water quality standards and discharge permit limits, Superfund unilateral cleanup orders, Superfund de minimis settlements and issues involving other environmental laws.
In addition, Linda assists many firm corporate clients in corporate transactions, including real estate and asset acquisitions, advising on critical environmental matters and potential liabilities prior to and after acquisitions. She has expertise in Brownfields procedures and regularly advises clients how to best protect themselves from environmental liabilities when purchasing contaminated or potentially contaminated properties.
Linda zealously represents clients in the most cost-effective manner possible while maintaining the high quality of legal representation firm clients have come to expect. She regularly receives recognition from her peers for her environmental law expertise.
Linda is a frequent speaker for continuing legal education in Oklahoma.
Representative Experience
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Represented private real estate development company in EPA and Corps of Engineers penalty action based upon allegations of wetlands disturbance
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Represented environmental engineering company in litigation regarding remediation of a radioactive waste pit
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Represented a manufacturing company in defending a lawsuit by neighboring landowner alleging TCE contamination emanating from property
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Represented Fortune 500 companies in Hardage Superfund Site negotiating multimillion dollar de minimis buyout with EPA on behalf of the de minimis PRP group
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Guided several companies and individuals through the Brownfields process in Oklahoma
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Acted as an administrative law judge on one case at the request of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
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Represented a municipality in an EPA action based upon large fish kill from wastewater treatment plant
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Represented several municipalities in litigation with Rural Water Districts focused on § 1926(b) competition protection of territory claimed by the Rural Water Districts
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Represented municipalities and public entities in disputes with state agencies and EPA over water discharge permit limits and TMDL studies
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Represented a public utility company in environmental matters unique to public utilities, including fly ash, air quality, PCBs, water discharge permits and other issues
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Represented railroad company in cleanup of a spill from train derailment
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Represented individual in litigation by railroad company for cross contamination of railroad yard
Professional, Community and Pro Bono Involvement
- American College of Environmental Lawyers, Fellow, 2008-2014
- American College of Environmental Lawyers, Board of Regents, 2009-2012, Chair, Membership Committee 2012-2014
- American Bar Association, Section on Natural Resources, Energy & Environment
- Oklahoma State Mining Commission, Appointed by Governor of Oklahoma, 2000-2004
- Chambers USA Leading Lawyer for Energy and Natural Resources: Environment: Band 1, 2011-2016
- Listed in Best Lawyers for Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation, 2005-2017
- Best Lawyers - 2013-2017 Tulsa Environmental Law "Lawyer of the Year"
- Listed in Super Lawyers®, 2006-2016
- Selected as one of the Top 25 Women Attorneys for the State of Oklahoma by Super Lawyers®, 2013-2015
- Selected as one of the Top 50 Attorneys for the State of Oklahoma by Super Lawyers®, 2013-2014
- Oklahoma Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Founding Member, 1992-2014
- Oklahoma Bar Association, Vice-Chair, Women in Law Conference, 1996-1997
- Oklahoma Bar Association, Women in Law-Mona Salyers Lambird Award, 2003
- Tulsa County Bar Association Outstanding Senior Lawyer, 2007
- Tulsa County Bar Association Trailblazer for Women in Law, 2002
- Tulsa Women Lawyers Association, Founding Member,1985
- Tulsa Women Lawyers Association, President, 1986
- Tulsa Lawyers for Children, 2012-2014
Selected Writings
- “Phase I Environmental Site Assessments Are Not All Created Equal”, Oklahoma Bar Journal, Vol. 83, No. 5, February 12, 2012
Education
- J.D., University of Tennessee College of Law, 1980
- B.A., Sociology, University of Tennessee, 1972
Bar & Court Admissions
- Oklahoma, 1980
- Arkansas, 2005
- United States Supreme Court, 2000
- United States Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit, 1985
- United States Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit, 2000
- Supreme Court Oklahoma, 1980
- United States District Court Northern District of Oklahoma, 1981
- United States District Court Western District of Oklahoma, 1988
- United States District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma, 2012
- United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas, 1999
- United States District Court Western District of Arkansas, 1999