Summary of comments of John L. Parker, esq.
Program Organizer & Moderator
PFAS Forever Chemicals are Changing Water Quality, Public Health, and Increasing Costs: A Legal and Technical Review
Nassau Academy of Law
Environmental Law, Government Relations, and
Municipal Law and Land Use Committees
April 29, 2026
Long Island, New York communities, like those around the United States and the world, face many challenges in providing clean drinking water to their residents. The issues include addressing and remediating historic and legacy contamination found on sites throughout New York and the United States that contribute to groundwater.
These municipalities, and the companies located in and around our communities, continue to be engaged in efforts to address the class of contaminants known as “forever chemicals” which includes PFAS. Innovative and developing technology is key to reducing the costs of this vital and necessary water treatment.
Global Environmental Leadership Award from the 22nd Century by Design Fund.
This prestigious award was presented to Robert Billot, Esq., Taft. The award was presented by Dennis P. Calvert, Chief Executive Officer, BioLargo and Tonya Chandler, President BioLargo Equipment Solutions and Technologies. Notably, the award was presented by the program sponsors.
Introduction of Keynote Address Speaker, Robert Bilott, Esq.
Robert Bilott is partner at Taft Law.
He is an internationally-recognized litigator, advocate, and author who has spent over 35 years in the practice of law addressing a variety of environmental law issues, including regulatory compliance, permitting, and corporate/real estate transactions and complex multi party and multi-district litigation.
Most notably and relevant for this forum, he has international stature as a leader in the forefront of “forever chemicals,” such as the PFAS chemicals, and has served a key role in litigation efforts that uncovered these chemicals and resulted in disclosure of the impacts of these environmental contaminants.
His effectiveness as a legal advocate is substantial.
He has secured billions of dollars for clients adversely impacted by PFAS contamination, providing key leadership positions in the nation’s first class action and personal injury, medical monitoring, and multi-district litigations, and jury trials involving PFAS.
In addition to securing hundreds of millions in recoveries for clients, his efforts led to scientific analysis and conclusions regarding the cancer and disease causing impacts of this class of chemicals.
He is a frequent commentator on PFAS issues – before Congress, States, parliaments of the European Union, and committees of the United Nations.
There are ways to learn more about his storied career.
In Fall 2019, the Movie Dark Waters was released.
It reflects awareness about chemical pollutants in his litigation efforts against one of America’s largest corporations. It has influenced public policy and community safety initiatives.
It has an 89 rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Go See It.
In addition, it is worth considering viewing Revealed: How to Poison a Planet, which has limited viewing availability.
This documentary film examines Robert Bilott’s decades long battle between some of the world’s largest chemical companies and contaminated communities.
PFAS Forever Chemicals are Changing Water Quality, Public Health, and Increasing Costs...
Moderator: John L. Parker, Esq.
