Considered a pioneer in the field of U.S. Environmental Law, David Sive has represented a variety of individuals, industries, non-government organizations, public entities, and the commercial sector on matters related to the environment like scenic preservation and hazardous waste. This lawyer, professor of environmental law, and environmentalist is credited with helping pave the way for the creation of environmental law.

As a Harlan Fiske Stone scholar, Sive finished his law school studies at Columbia Law School in 1948. He grew to prominence in the early 1960’s when he got involved in the environmental case Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference vs. Federal Power Commission. The case was centered on an opposition regarding the construction of a power plant on Hudson River, New York’s Storm King Mountain. The landmark case helped pass the National Environmental Policy Act and contributed basic principles of standing in the U.S. environmental law. It is also recognized as the case that gave the go signal for making environmental law as a field and career.

Sive is a founding partner of Sive, Paget & Riesel, one of the oldest environment law firms in the United States. With over 40 years of experience, the firm has represented numerous clients in all facets of environmental law like litigation and environmental impact review. Sive and his partners have notable clients including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the New York State Urban Development Corporation.

Aside from his obligations as an environmentalist and lawyer, David Sive has also taught environmental law in various universities in the country like Pace Law School. His other environmental involvements include the preservation of Adirondack Park and Catskill mountains.

David Sive’s writings have been extensively published. He even had an environmental column for the National Law Journal. Two examples of his published works include The Litigation Process in the Development of Environmental Law in 1995 for Pace Environmental Law Review and Environmental Justice Issues Develop Facility Permits and Civil Rights, which he co-authored with Lemuel M. Srolovic for the New York Law Journal in 1998.

Although David Sive has now retired from active law practice, he remains a partner at Sive, Paget & Riesel and is still an authority in environmental law.