Frank L. Tamulonis III

Biography

Frank Tamulonis concentrates his practice on environmental and energy litigation, transactional, and regulatory matters as well as public utility matters.

Frank represents and counsels clients on a broad range of energy and environmental matters including:

  • Compliance with the Clean Air Act (“CAA”), Clean Water Act (“CWA”), CERCLA, RCRA, and state law equivalents
  • Defending against citizens’ suits in state and federal court
  • Defending permit appeals before the Environmental Hearing Board
  • Representing public utilities before the Public Utility Commission
  • Assisting clients with navigating FERC, PUC, and eminent domain requirements related to pipeline projects
  • Conducting internal environmental, health and safety investigations, and audits
  • Assisting with complex site remediation
  • Defending against toxic tort claims

Immediately prior to joining Blank Rome, Frank served as law clerk to the Honorable Sylvia H. Rambo of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. During that time, he drafted opinions and orders related to environmental issues as well as labor and employment, insurance, education, real estate, contract, and corporate law issues. Frank assisted with drafting a landmark CWA opinion upholding the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL Program, which was subsequently affirmed by the Third Circuit of Appeals. Certiorari was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court, thus affirming the District Court’s opinion.

Prior to that, Frank served as assistant counsel to the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board. In that capacity, he advised the Board on complex environmental laws and regulations, and assisted the judges in drafting opinions, orders, and adjudications relating to oil and gas, mining, solid and hazardous waste, and air and water quality matters, as well as procedural and evidentiary matters

Frank graduated Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude from Dickinson College in 2004. While attending the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, he served as research editor on the Penn State Law Review. Frank was a member of the Environmental Law Society, the Woolsack Honor Society, and the Joint Degree Society. He also received a focus study certificate in environmental and natural resources law.

Frank was nominated by his peers for the Legal Intelligencer’s Lawyers on the Fast Track award in 2016, and the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award in 2017.

In July 2021, Frank was selected for the Institute for Energy Law’s fourth Leadership Class. This prestigious leadership program is primarily for energy professionals who have been practicing in the energy field between three and twelve years.

Outside the Firm

Frank lives outside Philadelphia with his wife, two children, two cats, and dog. They collectively enjoy exploring Pennsylvania’s great outdoors and cheering on Philadelphia’s sports teams together.

Experience

  • Represents various companies in actions brought under state and federal environmental programs, including CAA, CWA, CERCLA, RCRA and their respective state equivalents.
  • Represents major energy companies, in litigation before the Pennsylvania federal and state courts as well as the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and Environmental Hearing Board.
  • Oversees and assists with legal and technical aspects of site remediation projects pursuant to CERCLA, RCRA, Act 2, New Jersey Spill Act, and the New York Navigation Law.
  • Represents major public utilities in obtaining required approvals and tariffs from the Public Utility Commission and related litigation.
  • Representation of a major hydrocarbon logistics company, in federal citizen suit litigation under the Clean Water Act and RCRA.
  • Representation of a major hydrocarbon logistics company, defense in state tort claims.
  • Representation of a major oil and gas exploration and production company, in beneficial permit appeal before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.
  • Representation of a major hydrocarbon logistics and energy companies, defending air permit appeals before the Environmental Hearing Board.
  • Obtained summary judgment for major electric and natural gas distribution company in appeal of Clean Water Act Water Quality Certification before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.
  • Representation of major electric and energy companies in defense against toxic tort claims involving benzene exposure.
  • Conducts facility audits and counsels clients in environmental and safety compliance issues.
  • Counsels various lenders, chemical manufacturers, and shipyards on environmental and safety issues in loans, mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions.

News & Views

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Recognitions

  • 2024, Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental, Philadelphia, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2018–2022, “Pennsylvania Rising Star” in Environmental Litigation, listed in Super Lawyers®

Affiliations

Professional Activities

Frank was appointed to the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Resources Council in 2018 where he serves on the board’s Executive Committee. He also serves on the board of editors of the Energy Law Advisor for the Institute for Energy Law, and is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law where he lectures on environmental and energy matters. He is also a member of the Delaware Valley Environmental Inn of Courts.

Additionally, Frank is a regular participant in pro bono activities, including SeniorLAW Center legal clinics, the Homeless Advocacy Project birth certificate clinic, the TLDEF name change clinic, and the Clemency Project 2014.

From 1999 to 2003, Frank served as a member of the Governor’s Youth Sportsman’s Advisory Council under Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. In that volunteer position, Frank met regularly and advised the Governor’s Sportsman’s Advisor on issues regarding conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Commonwealth to help increase youth participation.

Credentials

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey

Education

  • Dickinson College, BA, summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa
  • Penn State University, Dickinson School of Law, JD
  • Pennsylvania State University, MPA