Robert S Berger
Professor and Director of the Canada-U.S. Legal Studies Centre
A.B., Kenyon College, 1970
J.D., University of Chicago, 1973
University at Buffalo Law School
The State University of New York
518 O'Brian
Hall, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1100
Phone:(716) 645-2885
Faculty Assistant:
Camille Catalano, 504 O'Brian Hall, Phone: (716) 645-2167
Biography:
Professor Berger has been teaching at the University at Buffalo Law School since 1978. Although he has taught many different courses, he has continually taught the first year Civil Procedure course and offers the advanced Complex Litigation course on a regular basis. Recent seminars offerings include ones on brownfield redevelopment and renewable energy.
In addition to classroom teaching, Professor Berger often teaches his Environment and Development Clinic. This Clinic works with local governments and community groups on projects addressing issues emerging at the intersection of environment and economic development concerns.
For over twenty years Professor Berger has been actively engaged in promoting Canadian Studies at both the University and the Law School. He is the Director of the Law School's Canada-U.S. Legal Studies Centre which actively encourages and supports Canada-related research, curricular initiatives and public presentations.
Professor Berger's research for the last ten years has focused on environment and development issues, with the emphasis on brownfield redevelopment. Recently he has been addressing a new area of this intersection, siting renewable energy facilities, looking at the tension between local perspectives and the global imperative to address the climate change crisis.
Professor Berger is a graduate of Kenyon College and the University of Chicago Law School. He was a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and a staff attorney with the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago.
Selected Publications:
Articles
Great Lakes Offshore Wind Power: A New York Strategy for Energy and Economic Development (with Dwight E. Kanyuck) Environmental Law in New York vol. 20: 133-139 (2009)
Characteristics and Land Use of Contaminated Brownfield Properties in Voluntary Cleanup Programs (with G.William Page) Land Use Policy vol. 23: 551-559 (2006)
Property Characteristics of Contaminated Land in Environmental Cleanup Programs in New York State (with G.William Page) Public Works Management and Policy vol. 10: 157-169 (2005)
Public Policy and Law Since Love Canal: Unintended and Unforeseen Consequences of Love Canal and the Superfund Legislation, Buffalo Environmental Law Review vol. 8: 251-254 (2001)
Recycling Industrial Sites in Erie County: Meeting the Challenge of Brownfield Redevelopment, Buffalo Environmental Law Review vol. 3: 69-128 (1995)
Reports
Creating a Public Plan for New York's Great Lakes Offshore Wind Power: A Strategy for Energy and Economic Development (with Dwight Kanyuck) (Environment and Development Clinic, University at Buffalo Law School,May 2008) [SSRN]
A Role for Non-Profits in Brownfield Redevelopment (Research Report issued by the Brownfield Action Project) (University at Buffalo, August 1999)
