Steven Picco is Vice Chair of the Project and Resource Development Department. With more than 25 years of experience as an environmental lawyer, he focuses his practice in administrative environmental and energy law, government affairs and land use. Mr. Picco has served as an Assistant Commissioner of both the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Department of Energy. He currently serves as Chair of the New Jersey Water Supply Authority.
Mr. Picco's clients include the New Jersey Chemistry Council and other trade organizations, as well as a number of the nation's largest petrochemical, oil and fragrance corporations, oil and pipeline companies and public utilities. He represents them in litigation matters, government relations, government contracts, and administrative appeals, prompting one former NJDEP Commissioner to call Mr. Picco "a dean of the New Jersey environmental bar." He recently represented most major New Jersey trade associations in successful appeals of New Jersey's Natural Resource Damage Program. In the energy area, he represents clients on a variety of issues relating to alternative energy projects, including siting, permitting, financing and governmental incentives.
In addition to his service on the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, Mr. Picco has a strong public service background, having served as a Commissioner on the Delaware River Basin Commission and on the boards and committees of other governmental, civic and charitable organizations.
Prior to joining Saul Ewing, Mr. Picco was a Partner in the Environmental Litigation Practice Group at Reed Smith. He is frequently tapped to speak and write on a range of environmental and economic development issues.
Honors and Awards
- Named a "Top Attorney in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut," Environmental Law, by New York Magazine, 2010
- Designated a Who's Who Legal by The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers, Environmental Law
- Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Environmental Law" by Chambers USA, 2007 to present
- Designated a "New Jersey Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics magazine, 2005 to present
- Named to "The Best Lawyers in America" list, Environmental Law, Woodward White, 1989 to present
Memberships and Affiliations
- Vice Chair, New Jersey Water Supply Authority
- Member, Board of Directors, Hopewell Valley Community Bank
- Member, Board of Directors, Karykion, Corp.
- Member, Board of Directors, Founder’s Affiliate, American Heart Association
- Member, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ECRA/ISRA Advisory Committee
- Former Chairman and current member, Board of Trustees, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton and the RWJ Health Care Corporation at Hamilton
- Former Chairman, Board of Directors, Northeast-Midwest Institute
- Former President, Affiliated Credit Associations
- Former Member, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
- Former Member, Delaware River Basin Commission
- Former Member, Board of Trustees, NEW JOBS
- Former Treasurer, Heritage Affiliate of the American Heart Association