鈥淥ne of the most established and effective environmental lawyers in the state鈥 according to Chambers USA, Linda E. Benfield has more than 38 years鈥 experience in all aspects of environmental law. She puts her extensive background to work for clients, counseling them on litigation and compliance issues related to air and water permitting, solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal, and PFAS and other emerging contaminants.
Honored multiple times as 鈥淟awyer of the Year,鈥 Linda has been recognized by her peers for her legal abilities, professionalism and integrity.
She advises clients on regulatory issues concerning the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, Superfund, mobile source, multimedia, and RCRA enforcement. She counsels clients on citizen suit litigation, settlement strategies and related cost recovery, insurance coverage, and indemnity disputes. Linda also advises clients regarding the variety of issues involved in the redevelopment, sale, or other transfer of contaminated properties.
Linda’s recent cases and administrative proceedings include representation of clients in U.S. EPA multimedia audits and related enforcement, the defense of numerous complaints by U.S. EPA or state environmental agencies alleging air emissions or “new source review” violations, and prosecution and defense of citizen suit actions and cost recovery actions in federal and state courts.
A former chair (and current member) of the Environmental Regulation Practice, Linda is also a member of the firm鈥檚 Government Enforcement Defense & Investigations Practice and the Manufacturing Sector. She is a regular speaker on issues related to environmental enforcement, litigation, compliance, and transactions.
Awards and Recognition
- Lifetime Achievement Award 鈥 Wisconsin Law Journal (2025)
- Environmental Law Attorney Powerlist 鈥 Wisconsin Law Journal (2025)
- Stand-out Lawyer,聽Thomson Reuters (2025-2026)
- Linda T. Mellowes Woman Leader of the Year 鈥 United Way (2024)
- Peer review rated as AV Preeminent庐, the highest performance rating in Martindale-Hubbell庐 Peer Review Ratings鈩 system
- The Best Lawyers in America漏 鈥 Environmental Law (1995, 2010 – 2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America漏 鈥 Litigation – Environmental (2011 – 2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America漏 鈥 Natural Resources Law (2012 – 2023)
- Chambers USA: America鈥檚 Leading Lawyers for Business – Natural Resources & Environment (2010-2022, 2024-2025)
- Wisconsin Super Lawyers庐 鈥 Environmental (2005-2016, 2021, and 2023)
- Client Service All Star Team 鈥 BTI Consulting Group (2016)
- Best Lawyers庐 鈥 Milwaukee Environmental “Lawyer of the Year” (2010, 2013 and 2015)
- Best Lawyers庐 鈥 Wisconsin Natural Resources 鈥淟awyer of the Year鈥 (2014)
- Best Lawyers庐 鈥 Milwaukee Natural Resources “Lawyer of the Year” (2012)
- 鈥淲omen of Influence鈥 鈥 The Milwaukee Business Journal (2014)
- International Who鈥檚 Who of Environmental Lawyers (2011)
- 鈥淲omen in the Law鈥 鈥 Wisconsin Law Journal (2009)
- 鈥淭op 25 Women Lawyers鈥 鈥 Wisconsin Super Lawyers庐 (2008)
Affiliations
- Attorneys鈥 Liability Assurance Society Ltd. (ALAS) 鈥 Board Member (2015 – present)
- American College of Environmental Lawyers – Fellow
- Wisconsin Law Foundation – Fellow
Community Involvement
- United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County
- Chair of the board (2020 鈥 2022)
- Board member (2013 鈥 present)
- Campaign co-chair (2013)
- Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, board member (2019 鈥 present)
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, trustee (2016 鈥 present)
- Building Brave, board member (2016 鈥 2022)
- Milwaukee Ballet 鈥 former chair of the board and board member