Thomas M. Hnasko
Partner
Mr. Hnasko represents a variety of clients in all aspects of environmental law, including property owners, public interest groups, financial institutions, oil and gas producers, private citizens, claimants and defendants in complex toxic tort cases, and petroleum product distributors. His environmental experience includes prosecuting cases under the National Environmental Policy Act, prosecuting and defending complex toxic tort cases, claims under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, issues under the federal Clean Water Act and New Mexico Water Quality Act, and a variety of cases under the New Mexico Groundwater Protection Act and other environmental laws.
Mr. Hnasko has authored numerous articles on environmental liabilities, and he has lectured on a variety of environmental subjects to the State bars of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico and to other continuing legal education groups. Mr. Hnasko is an A-V rated attorney and a Fellow in the American College of Environmental Lawyers.
Mr. Hnasko is listed as a Best Lawyer in America for environmental law for fifteen consecutive years and has been selected as a New Mexico SuperLawyer in Environmental Litigation since 2007. He was honored as Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year in Santa Fe for environmental litigation in 2013, 2019, 2021, and 2023 and for environmental law in 2011.
Areas of Practice
Environmental and Natural Resources Law
Honors and Awards
Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law 2003 – present
Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year, Santa Fe, Environmental Law, 2011
Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year, Santa Fe, Environmental Litigation, 2013, 2019,2021, and 2023
Southwest SuperLawyer, 2007 – present
A-V Rated – Martindale Hubbell
Education
University of North Dakota School of Law
J.D. – 1982
Honors: Order of the Coif
University of North Dakota
B.A. – 1979
Honors: with Honors
Bar Admissions
New Mexico, 1982
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1982
Professional Associations and Memberships
Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers
Past Chairman, New Mexico Legal Specialization, Committee for Environmental Law
Past Chair, State Law Resources