Ben Piper has broad experience in complex litigation matters, including commercial disputes, environmental and professional liability litigation, and intellectual property claims. He represents large public and private companies and individuals in state and federal courts and in arbitration proceedings.
Ben’s experience includes working on some of the most significant CERCLA/Superfund or RCRA sites across the United States, including cases involving contaminated sediments and natural resource damages. His practice has a particular focus on representing businesses in environmental cleanup litigation and representing the news media in First Amendment, defamation, privacy, and Freedom of Access/Freedom of Information matters.
Whether litigating a contentious and decades-long environmental case or moving quickly to get in front of a client’s problem, Ben is relentless in understanding the business issues underlying the legal dispute.
Experience
- Co-counsel for group of more than 70 companies in litigation, allocation, and settlement proceedings relating to CERCLA remediation costs in the Lower Passaic river in New Jersey, part of one of the largest Superfund sites in the nation (Occidental Chemical Corp v. 21st Century Fox America Inc. et al.).*
- Defended RCRA citizen suit for injunctive relief associated with contamination of sediments in one of New England's largest river systems and estuary (the Penobscot River) with an estimated range of remediation of $200 million to $1 billion, involving three phases of litigation — a month-long trial in Federal District Court, a fairness hearing in October 2021, and a Consent Decree filed in October 2022. (Natural Resources Defense Council and Maine People's Alliance v. HoltraChem Manufacturing Company LLC.).*
- Co-counsel for $10 billion-company in multimillion dollar contract dispute regarding remediation of radiological contamination in St. Louis, Missouri. The remediation was overseen by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (AECOM Technical Services Inc. v. Mallinckrodt LLC).*
- Counsel for dam owner in defense of litigation brought by several non-governmental organizations under the Endangered Species Act regarding status of incidental take statement (Atlantic Salmon Federation U.S. et al., v. Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. et al.).*
- Electric utility in breach of contract action, obtaining a $13.6 million jury verdict.*
- News media outlet in successful First Amendment challenge to secret jury selection in high-profile criminal case.*
- News media outlet in the dismissal of numerous defamation claims.*
*Reflects experience at previous employer.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School, 2010, cum laude
- B.A., Georgetown University, 2007, cum laude
Admissions
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Maine
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Clerkships
- U.S. District Court, District of Maine, The Honorable John A. Woodcock
Activities
- Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine (2016-present)
- Chairman of Alumni Admission Program Committee for the State of Maine, Georgetown University (2013-present)
- Board of Directors and Scholarship Selection Committee, Dan Cardillo Charitable Fund (2015-present)
- Leadership Maine, Silver Class, Maine Development Foundation
- Rippleffect