Brian S. Dunkiel is a founding partner of the firm. His practice emphasizes assisting individuals, businesses and nonprofits achieve their objectives by providing regulatory, land use, environmental, and corporate governance counsel.
He handles permitting, litigation, and negotiations involving real estate development and renewable energy projects. Brian has served as lead counsel on significant development projects, negotiated numerous environmental settlements with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont Environmental Board, Vermont Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, and third parties. Brian handled several of the groundbreaking federal law suits involving global warming, and serves as counsel to renewable energy providers and renewable industry trade groups regarding electric generating facility development and climate change initiatives and opportunities, including Vermont’s Feed-in Tariff law.
Brian also provides comprehensive legal counsel in nonprofit law, governance, regulation, charitable giving, and nonprofit joint ventures with for-profit companies. He provides practical strategies and structures for sound nonprofit governance. He also advises clients on issues pertaining to Vermont’s campaign finance laws and other state and federal issues related to electoral politics and lobbying.
Prior to starting the firm, Brian represented Friends of the Earth, a national environmental organization, where he handled environmental cases and government affairs, and also served as general counsel. He was an environmental advisor to Howard Dean, MD, a former governor of Vermont, and has been an adjunct professor at Vermont Law School. Brian is vice-chair of the board of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. He is licensed to practice law in state and federal courts in Vermont and Washington, DC. Brian received a BS from Cornell University, and a JD and Master in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School.
Why I Work
At SDRS I am privileged to work with a talented team of attorneys and paraprofessionals on matters that are stimulating intellectually, but also accomplish the practical needs of our clients. Getting to understand and then share my clients' passion for their businesses or efforts to make a difference can be extremely gratifying.