Profile

Virginia chaired the firm’s environmental and energy practice from 2000 to 2016 and was a member of the firm’s management committee from 2014 to 2015 and 2004 to 2005. 

She is experienced in advising higher education clients on state and federal regulatory compliance issues, particularly in the areas of air and water pollution control, waste management, and storage tanks. Virginia has extensive experience in managing compliance with the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, including permitting strategies, negotiation of special conditions establishing emission caps, new source performance standards and new source review issues. She has managed significant remediation matters involving releases of hazardous substances and the applicability of RCRA, State and Federal Superfund, New York's Voluntary Cleanup Program and petroleum spills.

  • Listed in:
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, Environmental Law, 2007-2023 (listed for 15 years)
      • Lawyer of the Year - Syracuse, Environmental Law - 2013; 2017; 2019; 2022
    • New York Super Lawyers®, Environmental, 2021 (listed for more than 10 years)
      • Top 25 Female Upstate New York Super Lawyers, 2013-2014 
    • Chambers USA 2019, Environmental
    • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Rated
      • 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Energy, Environmental, & Natural Resources
  • American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL), College’s Executive Committee and Board of Regents; Co-Chair, International Pro Bono Committee
  • ACOEL Foundation, President (2022)
  • American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy and Resources
  • New York State Bar Association, Environmental and Energy Law Section, Past Chair, 2004-2005; Member, Executive Committee; Co-Chair, Global Climate Change Committee
  • Central New York Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association, Founding Chair, 1995-1996
  • ESF College Foundation, Inc., State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Board Member and Past President, 2005-2007
  • New York Chiropractic College, Board of Trustees
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Sol Feinstone Environmental Award, 2017, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • Syracuse City Ballet, Grand Jeté Award, 2017
  • WCNY, Women Who Make America Award, 2015
  • YWCA, Academy of Diversity Achievers, 2015

  • American College of Environmental Lawyers, Blog Posts:
    • Interior Secretary Debra Halland: Restorer of Balance?, 2021
    • Comments on “The Geography of Risk, Epic Storms, Rising Seas and the Cost of America’s Coasts” by Gilbert Gaul, 2019 
    • Troubled Waters: New York’s Algal Blooms, 2018
    • Energy Storage Transforming the Grid in New York State, 2017
    • Cap and Trade is Alive and Well in New York State, 2016

  • An Interview with Virginia Robbins, Environmental and Energy, Legally Bond Podcast, July 19, 2021
  • New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, American Council of Engineering Companies, Central NY Region, March 2021
  • County of Maui, HI v. Hawaii: Clean Water Act 2020 - Law and Regulations, American Law Institute, December 2020
  • New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, CNY Chapter Air & Waste Management Association, November 2020
  • Panelist, Energy Storage and the Modern Grid, NYSBA Annual Meeting, Environmental & Energy Law Section, January 2018
  • Nano Utica Initiative, 20th Annual Joint Technical Conference of the CNY Chapters of the Air & Waste Management Association and American Industrial Hygiene Association, March 22, 2016
  • What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Assessing Environmental Compliance, Bond, Schoeneck & King CLE Program, December 9, 2015
  • Panel Member, Gaming Casinos: Learn from the Past to Prepare for the Future, New York State Bar Association's Annual Meeting, January 30, 2015

  • Syracuse University College of Law, Interim Assistant Dean of Career Services
  • Abby Lane Housing Corporation, President and Board Member, 2015-present
    • Serving the housing needs of students at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse
  • Syracuse City Ballet, Inc., Board Member, Past President, 2013-2015
  • Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music, Vice President