About The New Jersey Environmental Law Firm

Professional Highlights

• More than 30 years of environmental law experience
• Current Commissioner, North Jersey District Water Supply Commission
• Named to the InsiderNJ Legal Power List in 2024 and 2025
• Master, Justice Stewart G. Pollack Environmental American Inn of Court
• Former Environmental Counsel, City of Jersey City
• Former Chairman, New Jersey Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management

Professional Recognition and Legal Leadership

Mr. Ashkinaze was named to the InsiderNJ Legal Power List in 2024 and 2025, the two most recent selection cycles. He has also been admitted as a Master of the Justice Stewart G. Pollack Environmental American Inn of Court, an organization dedicated to professionalism, legal education, and collegiality in the environmental law community.

Mr. Ashkinaze has written and lectured on environmental law, public administration, and the impact of state administrative regulations on businesses and regulated industries.

Public Service and Government Appointments

Mr. Ashkinaze currently serves as a Commissioner of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (NJDWSC), following his nomination by Governor Chris Christie in June 2011. The Commission oversees a major regional public drinking water supply system serving communities throughout northern New Jersey.

In December 2009, Mr. Ashkinaze was selected as one of twelve attorneys serving on Governor-Elect Chris Christie’s Transition Committee. His continuing service on the Commission, together with his environmental law and government experience, informs his understanding of public administration, regulatory oversight, environmental policy, and governmental decision-making.

Environmental Counsel to the City of Jersey City

From 1993 through July 2001, Mr. Ashkinaze served as Assistant Corporation Counsel, Environmental Counsel, and Mayor’s Aide for the City of Jersey City. He advised Mayor Bret Schundler and the City Council on environmental compliance and enforcement, public utilities, solid waste planning, brownfields redevelopment, environmental litigation, and regulatory matters.

• Helped draft an ordinance regulating municipal rights-of-way used by telecommunications, fiber optic, and utility companies.
• Assisted in securing a two-year brownfields planning grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Participated in the formation of the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority.
• Negotiated water purveyor agreements.
• Evaluated electricity and telecommunications aggregation initiatives.

In June 2001, Mr. Ashkinaze was appointed Board Attorney to the Jersey City Board of Adjustment, further expanding his experience in land use, zoning, municipal regulation, and development matters.

Leadership in New Jersey Environmental Policy

On March 17, 1995, Governor Christine Todd Whitman designated Mr. Ashkinaze Chairman of the New Jersey Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management, a position he held until May 22, 1997.

He also served on the NJDEP Brownfields Working Group, an advisory committee involving environmental attorneys, corporate representatives, and public officials working on policies for remediation and redevelopment of contaminated properties.

Private Practice and Corporate Environmental Representation

Before establishing his law office, Mr. Ashkinaze practiced with Hannoch Weisman, formerly of Roseland, New Jersey. There he represented Fortune 500 corporations and privately held businesses in environmental, corporate, and regulatory matters and served as one of the firm’s four registered lobbyists.

His experience includes environmental compliance, permitting, contaminated property transactions, redevelopment, governmental approvals, administrative proceedings, and business counseling.

Mr. Ashkinaze has worked closely with the New Jersey Gasoline, C-Store, Automotive Association (NJGCA), serving on its Environmental Advisory Committee and representing association members on environmental and regulatory matters. His article, “Leasing Gasoline Stations: Avoiding the Environmental Trap,” appeared in the December 2008 edition of On the Road and was subsequently republished.

Regulatory Advocacy and Trade Association Representation

Mr. Ashkinaze has represented businesses and trade associations seeking changes to administrative regulations and governmental policies. He represented a committee of translation and interpreting companies and the American Translators Association before the New Jersey Department of Labor, negotiating eligibility and auditing guidelines concerning independent contractors.

He also represented the New York Translation & Interpreting Group and the American Translators Association before the New York Department of Labor and New York State Legislature on related regulatory matters.

Land Use, Development, and Redevelopment Experience

Throughout his career, Mr. Ashkinaze has represented developers and property owners on land use, commercial development, redevelopment, zoning, environmental permitting, and regulatory approvals. His experience spans municipal boards, governmental agencies, environmental constraints affecting commercial property, and development-related compliance.

Academic Experience

Mr. Ashkinaze previously served as an adjunct professor of International Relations at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey.

Education

• University of Pennsylvania — B.A., 1982
• Seton Hall University School of Law — J.D., 1986
• Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs — M.P.A., 1987

Bar Admissions

New Jersey • New York • Pennsylvania