Biographies

Joseph G. Maternowski chairs the Environmental Law Practice Group at Moss & Barnett, A Professional Association, advising clients on environmental matters that arise in business and real estate transactions, litigation related to contaminated property and the defense of enforcement actions brought by state and federal environmental agencies.

Mr. Maternowski is highly respected by his clients and peers for delivering successful results and for his unique experience and zealous client advocacy.  For example, in 2004 he successfully represented a small business owner in a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) enforcement proceeding.  A state district court judge awarded a precedent-setting attorney's fee award of $112,000 to Mr. Maternowski's client under the Minnesota Equal Access to Justice Act.  Minnesota Law & Politics named that case as "Lawsuit of the Year." 

Demonstrating his knowledge of environmental and business law, Mr. Maternowski recently assisted a Fortune 500 company in conducting site investigations and cleanups at manufacturing sites and in evaluating ongoing environmental compliance at operations across the country.

While Mr. Maternowski and his team have broad knowledge in environmental law, he uses the many resources of Moss & Barnett's 70-plus attorneys by appropriately involving business lawyers, real estate lawyers and experienced litigators who have unique and required expertise.  An excellent colleague concerned with being effective as well as efficient, Mr. Maternowski employs a team approach involving paralegals, associate Moss & Barnett counsel and others as needed to provide the best services for clients.

Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a family of seven, Mr. Maternowski learned the importance of hard work, loyalty, respect and serving others.  Those values have been the hallmark of Mr. Maternowski's legal career and his longstanding community service.  In his law practice, he does everything possible to make sure his clients' best interests are served in the often technical and complicated world of environmental and business law.  He draws on his vast experience, including time at the Minnesota Attorney General's Office where he represented the MPCA, to present his clients with the best information and most effective advice and advocacy.  He serves as a trusted adviser throughout the case, building a strong relationship with his clients.

"Nothing is more important than to have my client's confidence, knowing that my colleagues and I will always be their advocates," Mr. Maternowski said.

Mr. Maternowski is equally active in the community, serving as a mentor to law students, Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association's Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Law Section, and as Chair of the Board of Directors of Eco Education, a non-profit group that conducts educational programs in Twin Cities schools.

"I feel privileged to be able to practice law in this community and I feel it is my duty to give back," Mr. Maternowski said.

A testament to Mr. Maternowski's integrity is that he is frequently sought out by other counsel to serve as co-counsel or to provide assistance on matters as a retained expert.

Mr. Maternowski is admitted to practice in Minnesota and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.  As a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice, Mr. Maternowski is frequently involved with alternative dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration.

Major Projects Where Mr. Maternowski Has Assisted Clients Include: