Zoe Peer Makoul

Associate

Location
New York
Phone number
(212) 808-5033

Zoe Peer Makoul focuses her practice on environmental matters such as emerging contaminants, natural resource damages, administrative rules and regulations, and energy policy. Her practice includes serving as counsel to public-sector clients in environmental litigation arising from extensive contamination, degradation of natural resources, and violations of state and federal law, as well as keeping state agencies and private-sector clients appraised of new and upcoming regulatory action.

Zoe is a dedicated advocate for the clients she represents, and she aims to work alongside them to reach satisfying resolutions. To that end, she has helped clients navigate litigation, mediation, and settlement negotiations. Currently, Zoe serves on multiple teams that represent states and territories in cases related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), both in standalone lawsuits and in multidistrict litigation.

In addition, Zoe maintains a pro bono practice, focusing on reproductive healthcare and immigration.

Prior to joining Kelley Drye, Zoe was a New York State Pro Bono Scholar at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and a justice extern at the Environmental Protection Bureau for the New York Attorney General’s office. While attending Columbia Law School, she worked for Columbia Law School’s Environmental Law Clinic, focusing on chemical contamination and environmental justice. She also served as the Notes Editor of the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law and authored an article examining environmental ethics that was selected for publication.

Zoe is a recipient of the Alfred S. Forsyth Prize, awarded annually to outstanding students in the field of environmental law who demonstrate qualities of intellect and selfless dedication to the advancement of environmental law.

Serving on team representing the Attorney General of Guam in an action against the United States to recover a portion of the costs of removal and remedial action, pursuant to CERCLA. The team recently secured a $48.9 million partial settlement for past costs.

Serving on team representing the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in litigation in New Jersey Superior Court seeking natural resource damages and related relief against Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC for PFAS contamination from its manufacturing plant in West Deptford, New Jersey.

Serving on team representing the State of North Carolina in litigation in North Carolina Superior Court seeking relief against DuPont and Chemours for pervasive GenX contamination from their manufacturing plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Serving on teams representing states and sovereigns, including New Mexico, Hawaiʻi, and Washington, in litigation relating to contamination from PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), currently consolidated in a multidistrict litigation in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, In Re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2:18-mn2873-RMG.