Former Chair of the American Bar Association's Superfund and Natural Resources Damages Litigation Committee, Shoshana (Suzanne Ilene) Schiller (she/her) is a partner in the firm’s litigation group representing Fortune 500 companies at Superfund sites nationwide and in a wide range of environmental disputes, including those involving cost recovery and contribution, contractual breaches and real estate transactions. Shoshana is AV® Preeminent® Peer Review Rated* through Martindale-Hubbell® and a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, trying jury and non-jury cases in federal and state courts and arguing before appellate courts, administrative agencies, and hearing boards throughout the country.  She is active on the governing councils of the American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy and Resources and the Pennsylvania Bar Association Environmental and Energy Law Section, a frequent speaker at legal and industry conferences and seminars and a regular author on environmental and real estate issues. Her academic writings have been cited in publications such as the Harvard Law Review, Georgetown Law Journal and Emory Law Journal, and by the United States Supreme Court in Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 133 S. Ct. 1351, 1361, 185 L. Ed. 2d 392 (2013).

Shoshana is committed to diversity in the profession and the environmental bar.  She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group and past Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Diversity in the Profession Committee.  Shoshana is also one of the founders of Women of CERCLA, a nationwide group of women who practice in the Superfund arena, and outside of the legal realm is a former Co-Chair of the Black-Jewish Alliance of the Anti-Defamation League, Philadelphia Region.  

When not attending to her law practice Shoshana can generally be found in one of two places: on the ski slopes or in another country. She is an EMT and a member of the National Ski Patrol, spending most weekends from December to March patrolling at Jack Frost Mountain in the Poconos.  Shoshana has been to all seven continents and with over eighty-five countries explored, she’s always looking forward to the next adventure.    

*See Professional Highlights Tab for listing and rating information.

Representative matters include:

• Representing potentially responsible parties in multiparty Superfund, cost recovery and contribution cases, including at the BKK Landfill, Omega Chemical Corporation, Yosemite Slough, Mouren-Laurens/Leach Oil Company (Rev973), and Gunpowder Point Sites in California, the Standard Chlorine Chemical Company and Combe Fill South Landfill Sites in New Jersey, the Ward Transformer Site in North Carolina, and the Lower Darby Creek Site in Pennsylvania. 
• Representing the School District of Philadelphia in litigation related to the management of asbestos in school buildings.
• Defending manufacturers, developers, landowners, industrial tenants and lessees in cost recovery, contribution, toxic tort and property damage litigation, including defense of class action claims.
• Resolving commercial disputes involving leases, easements, access agreements and construction agreements for ports, pipeline companies, and wastewater treatment plant operators.
• Defending parties in enforcement actions by regulatory agencies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
• Representing applicants and objectors in zoning and land use matters before municipal and zoning hearing boards.
• Securing, through administrative evidentiary hearings, coverage from the Pennsylvania Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund.
• Representing owners and managers of enclosed shopping malls, lifestyle centers and strip centers, national grocery wholesalers and national and regional grocery retailers in real estate, contract and tort litigation. 

• AV® Preeminent® Peer Review Rated through Martindale-Hubbell®. Click here to view the selection methodology. 
• The Best Lawyers® in America listing (environmental, 2024). The Best Lawyers list is issued by Woodward/White Inc. Click here to view the selection methodology.
• 2024, 2023 and 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers. Lawdragon’s editorial team selected the 500 honorees listed through submissions, journalistic research, and editorial vetting by a board of peers. Click here to view the selection methodology. 
• Litigation Counsel of America Senior Fellow. Selection criteria for this invitation-only honorary society can be found here.
• Pennsylvania Super Lawyers listing (environmental litigation, since 2014 and business litigation, 2022-2023 and 2005-2006). Top 100: 2023 Philadelphia Super Lawyers and Top 50: Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers listings (2023, 2020 and 2017-2018). The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. Click here to view the selection methodology
• Recipient, 2017 Diversity Award, Diversity Law Institute
• No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or any other jurisdiction.

"Developments in Greenwashing and ESG Regulation and Litigation Expected in 2023," The Legal Intelligencer, February, 2023 - with Alice Douglas and Brenda Gotanda

"Calm Waters after Guam v. United States?" Trends, (52:3), January/February 2022

"Could the Superfund Task Force Recommendations Be the Sole Survivor in Biden’s EPA?," an ABA SEER Superfund and Natural Resources Defense Litigation Publication, April, 2021

"Building a Community within a Community," For The Defense, December 2020

"Permit Me To Explain:  Superfund Restricts State and Local Permitting Requirements," natural resources & environment (35:1), 2020 - with Carolyn L. McIntosh

"Ways to Make Your Workplace More Inclusive," The Legal Intelligencer, January 2019

"Four Environmental Laws Every Developer and Property Owner Should Know," MidAtlantic Real Estate Journal (26:22), 2014

"Third Circuit's Environmental Opinions in a Busy August," The Legal Intelligencer, September 2013

"Environmental Access Agreements: Enter at Your Own Risk," Association of Corporate Counsel's Green-house Counsel, November 2011

"Superfund Liability: How Recent Court Decisions May Affect Companies' Ability to Recover Costs," Association of Corporate Counsel's Green-house Counsel, December 2010

"Don’t Lien On Me: Considerations for Commercial Landlords When Tenants Improve Property," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (20:12), 2008 - with Monica Mathews Reynolds

"Protecting Against the Possibility of Catastrophic Events," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (19:1), 2006 - with Monica Mathews

"Contending with Title III of the ADA: Tips for Property Owners and Managers," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (17:10), 2005

"Recent Developments in Accessibility to Movie Theaters," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (17:5), 2004

"From Macro to Micro: The ADA’s Revised Guidelines," The Legal Intelligencer, August 2004

"Protecting Your Leasehold: Keeping Competitors at Bay," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (16:2), 2003

"How States Differ Regarding Enforceability of Oral Agreements for Real Estate Commissions," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (15:6), 2002 - with Christopher G. Barnes

"Ensuring That Landlords Are Protected by Well-Drafted and Comprehensive Guarantees," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (14:8), 2002

"Recognizing and Enforcing Continuous Operating Covenants," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (13:9 & 13:10) Two-part article, (2001); [Reprinted in The Legal Intelligencer, March 2001 - Commercial Real Estate Special Supplement]

"Formulating a Discovery Plan: The Keystone of Every Case," The Legal Intelligencer, January 2001

"Determining Damages for Failure to Return Premises in Good Condition," Corporate Real Estate Executive (15:8), 2000

"Follow-Up: New Jersey Supreme Court Upholds Public Access to Shopping Centers," Shopping Center Legal Update (20:2), 2000

"State's High Court Gives Guidance on Regulation of Public Access to Shopping Centers," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (13:3), 2000

"New Jersey Supreme Court Upholds Public Access to Shopping Centers," SCWonline.com, [http://www.scwonline.com/news/0006/000628a.html], June 2000

"When a Shopping Center is a Public Forum," The Legal Intelligencer, April 2000 - Commercial Real Estate Quarterly Special Supplement

"How to Successfully Manage Access to Shopping Centers During Labor Disputes," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (12:9), 2000

"Managing Public Access: Don't Be Caught Off Guard," Corporate Real Estate Executive(15:2), 2000

"California Court Provides Guidance on Public Access Rules," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (10:5), 1997

"California Court of Appeal Upholds Constitutionality of Public Access Rules," Shopping Center Legal Update (17:2), 1997

"New Summary Judgment Standard May Reduce Nanty Glo to Embers," The Legal Intelligencer, August 1996 - Litigation Quarterly Special Supplement; with K. Byrnes

"Court Weighs Free Speech Against Private Property Rights," Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy (7:8), 1995

"PruneYard and Trespass Laws: A Look At Enforcing Access Rules Through Arrest and Criminal Prosecution," Shopping Center Legal Update (12:1), 1992

Law Review Notes:

"Black and White and Brilliant: Protecting Black and White Films From Color Recoding," Comm/Ent (9:3), 1987

"The Relationship Between Motion Picture Distribution and Exhibition: An Analysis of the Effects of Anti Blind Bidding Legislation," Comm/Ent (9:1), 1986 (cited Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 133 S. Ct. 1351, 1361, 185 L. Ed. 2d 392 (2013))

“Natural Collectors of Industrial Wastes:  Questions of Concern for Cleaning Up Contaminated Waterways," presented at the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources' 32nd Annual Fall Conference, October 24, 2024 

"Resolving Superfund Liability and Protecting PRP Interests:  Recent Developments and Best Practices in Settling and Preserving CERCLA Claims," a Strafford Publications webinar, March 22, 2022 (Update)

"Resolving Superfund Liability and Protecting PRP Interests:  Recent Developments and Best Practices in Settling and Preserving CERCLA Claims," a Strafford Publications webinar, January 12, 2021

"CERCLA Litigation Liability Update:  New Cases, New Twists," a Strafford Publications webinar, April 30, 2020

"Update on Liability Under CERCLA: Emerging Principles and Trends in PRP Liability," a Strafford Publications webinar, January 23, 2019

"CERCLA Settlements and PRP Intervention:  Protecting PRP Interests in Contribution and Cost-Recovery Process," a Strafford Publications webinar, January 9, 2018

“Earth, Air and Water: What’s on Fire in Environmental Law," presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 2017 U.S. Law Conference, October 26, 2017

"A Walk Through of the Superfund Task Force Recommendations," a Teleconference sponsored by the Section of Environment, Energy and Resources of the American Bar Association, September 6, 2017 (Moderator) 

"An Update on Arranger Liability Under CERCLA: Recent Cases and the Impact of Pakootas," an American Bar Association webinar, December 14, 2016 (Moderator)

“Pits in the Pruneyard: Modern Strategies for Handling Protests and Petitioners,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 2016 U.S. Law Conference, October 2016

“Challenges on the Litigation Side of Superfund," presented at the American Bar Association Section of Environmental, Energy and Resources' Superfund Master Class:  Today's Issues and Tomorrow's Reforms, June 15, 2016

"Practice Pointers for Negotiating and Drafting Environmental Access Agreements,” presented at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s 19th Annual Real Estate Institute, December 2015

"Preparing for and Responding to Environmental Emergencies," presented at 2015 Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors/Township Emergency Managers Association Educational Conference in Hershey, PA, April 19, 2015

“Environmental Access Agreements,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 2014 U.S. Law Conference, October 2014

"Vapor Intrusion:  Today's Litigation, Regulatory and Scientific Landscape," an American Law Institute CLE (ALI-CLE) webinar, July 14, 2014

"Structuring Environmental Site Access Agreements:  Avoiding Costly Pitfalls," a Strafford Publications webinar, July 10, 2014

"Preparing for and Responding to an Emergency or Casualty Incident:  A Guide for Businesses and Property Owners," sponsored by MGKF, June 24, 2014

"Arranger Liability Under CERCLA:  Leveraging Recent Court Decisions," a Strafford Publications webinar, December 11, 2013

“Sustainability Legal Issues & Risk Management Strategies for Existing Buildings,” presented at BOMA Philadelphia, May 1, 2012

“Greening Your Real Estate Deal,” presented at the Temple Real Estate Institute in Philadelphia, April and May 5, 2012

“Medical Monitoring & Toxic Tort Claims: Preparing for the Future in a Post-Dukes Environment,” presented at the American Law Institute-American Bar Association (ALI-ABA) Teleseminar, December 2011

"Keeping Secrets: Recent Developments in Attorney-Client Privilege and Expert Witness Disclosure Rules," sponsored by MGKF, January 26, 2011

“Discovery in Deep:  Corporate Preservation and Identification of Relevant Evidence,” presented at the HB Litigation Conferences’ Oil in the Gulf: Litigation & Insurance Coverage Conference, November 2010

“Hot Topics in Environment Law:  Recent Developments in CERCLA: Interpreting Atlantic Research and Burlington Northern,” a Presidential CLE Program presented at the 2010 American Bar Association Annual Meeting, August 2010

“Recent Developments in ADA Compliance and Enforcement,” presented at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s 2004 Annual Real Estate Institute, December 2004

“The Perils of Letters of Intent,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 2003 U.S. Law Conference, October 2003

“Recognizing and Enforcing Continuous Operating Covenants,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 2002 U.S. Law Conference, October 2002

“Advanced Seminar on Public Access Issues,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 1999 U.S. Law Conference, October 1999

“Advanced Seminar on Labor, Security and Public Access Issues,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 1997 U.S. Law Conference, October 1997

“Sublessees' Rights To Enforce Master Lease Provisions,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 1996 U.S. Law Conference, October 1996

“Update On Public Access Issues,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ 1995 U.S. Law Conference, October 1995

“Drafting Public Access Rules,” presented at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ New Jersey Seminar on Public Access Rules, February 1995