Christina Sartorio Ku

Practice Areas

Environmental Law

Real Estate and Land Use

Regulatory Affairs and Compliance

Career

Christina Ku is a profoundly experienced litigator who leverages her background in biological sciences and environmental regulation to represent parties in complex environmental cases. Her practice also includes significant work in the commercial litigation arena, including international arbitration forums, as well as work on election law and regulatory compliance matters.

In her environmental law practice, Christina represents parties in litigation involving CERCLA, the New Jersey Spill Act, the New York Navigation Law, ISRA/ECRA, and RCRA. She regularly provides counsel on regulatory enforcement and compliance matters involving site remediation and hazardous waste, and advises clients involved in federal and state cost-recovery and contribution claims.

Christina works with private clients as well as state and federal regulators to resolve land use issues, including matters related to permits, waterfront development and public access easements. She advises clients on potential environmental concerns and issues related to prior or current property operations.

On the election law front, Christina advises clients on how to comply with regulations including those related to political contribution limits, reporting requirements, and electioneering communications.

Christina helps to support the personal and professional development of women at Connell Foley LLP as a member of the firm’s Women’s Initiative Committee.

Beyond her life at the firm, Christina advocates for environmental health and safety as a member of several organizations for professionals in environment-related fields.

Professional Memberships

Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) – Environmental Business Council

Steering Committee Member for Water & Land Use and Chemicals & Petroleum Sections

New Jersey Society of Women Environmental Professionals (NJSWEP) – Member

Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast (BCONE) - Member

New Jersey Business and Industry Association

Member of Energy and Environment Policy Committee

NJBIA Women Business Leaders Council

Publications

Significant Amendments to New Jersey Environmental Regulations Anticipated This Year

New Jersey Law Journal, 04.14.2025

NJ’s Land Use Permit Acquisition Process Complicated by Proposed Reforms to Protection Rules

Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast, 10.21.2024

"Defining a Dune: A Case Study in Current Coastal Permitting Battles" by Agnes Antonian and Christina Ku

Commerce, July 2023

Co-author, "Hot Topics in Environmental, Energy and Climate Policy for 2023"

COMMERCE Magazine, 04.2023

Co-author, "Navigating the Scope of 'Navigable Waters' after 'Maui'"

New Jersey Law Journal, 10.15.2020

Co-author, "SRRA 2.0 Signed by Gov. Murphy and Passed into Law by the NJ Legislature"

COMMERCE Magazine, 11.2019

Experience

Represents a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) in a CERCLA and NRD enforcement matter and federal contribution and cost recovery litigation relating to the Passaic River and Newark Bay.

Represented a corporate property owner in connection with claims for remediation costs related to a prior property owner’s historical operations.

Represented private property owners in connection with federal and state litigation to challenge a municipality’s use of eminent domain in order to obtain a proposed public access easement.

Represented a private landowner in challenging an adverse decision by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and in the subsequent settlement negotiations with the agency for the ultimate granting of a Waterfront Development permit.

Represented the Special Master in the enforcement of court ordered injunction against Honeywell.

Represents private property owners in connection with appeals of denials of land use permits.

Represented corporate clients in the assessment of potential environmental issues related to the purchase of property.

Represents a PRP in a CERCLA and New York Navigation Law action for cost recovery and contribution claims.

Represented a public utility company in the defense of Spill Act action related to the alleged discharge from underground piping during a municipality-led road project. Matter was successfully resolved through settlement.

Represents a municipality in the pursuit of CERCLA, Spill Act, and common law claims regarding the discharge and remediation of hazardous substances on a public park.

Represents a corporate entity in a dispute before the International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration pursuing breach of contract claims.

Represented a client in the pursuit of a claim for the breach of a sports contract. Matter was resolved with a successful arbitration award.

Represents a corporate client in the interpretation and assessment of regulatory requirements for the solicitation and evaluation of offshore wind projects.

Represents a corporate property owner and developer in connection with ongoing remediation and potential direct oversight by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Represents a property owner and developer in the defense of breach of contract claims related to the sale of property.

Represents a property owner and developer in connection with the development of oceanfront property, the acquisition of required permits, and the interpretation of regulatory requirements/limitations.

Represents a property owner and developer in connection with the acquisition of a permit modification for a residential development project.

Represents a property owner and developer in challenging the denial of a flood hazard area permit for a mixed-used development project.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

New Jersey

New York

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

Education

Awards