Meet Our Team

  • Jennifer T. Nijman

    Jennifer T. Nijman

    Jennifer Nijman is a founding partner of the environmental firm Nijman·Franzetti LLP with wide ranging experience in litigation defense and enforcement issues as well as issues involving waste and contaminated property.  She was formerly a partner and chair of the environmental practice group at the Chicago office of a national law firm.

  • Susan M. Franzetti

    Susan M. Franzetti

    Susan Franzetti was formerly a partner and chair of the environmental practice at a large Chicago law firm. She has extensive experience in compliance counseling, regulatory and litigation matters. She is an experienced litigator who has successfully represented clients in both civil and criminal jury trials in federal and state courts, including a $41.7 million federal jury verdict.

  • E. Lynn Grayson

    E. Lynn Grayson

    E. Lynn Grayson is a partner in the environmental law firm of Nijman•Franzetti LLP in Chicago. She is consistently recognized as a leading environmental lawyer by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Illinois Super Lawyers and the Leading Lawyers Network. She is AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability.

  • Susan E. Brice

    Susan E. Brice

    Susan Brice has litigated state and federal disputes and has counseled clients on complicated scientific issues arising in environmental law, toxic torts and product liability. She works with scientists on matters in the fields of genomics, toxicology and epidemiology in such industries as chemical manufacturing, energy production, food, agriculture and real estate.

  • Jacqueline M. Vidmar

    Jacqueline M. Vidmar

    With more than thirty-three years of environmental law experience, Jacqueline Vidmar brings a wealth of knowledge to transactional and regulatory matters and disputes. She represents companies in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, public utilities, health care and pharmaceuticals, transportation (rail and pipeline), and real estate.

  • Kristen Laughridge Gale

    Kristen Laughridge Gale

    Kristen Laughridge Gale is a partner in the environmental law firm of Nijman•Franzetti LLP, in Chicago. She has broad experience in litigation and enforcement-related issues, including private cost recovery, the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, underground storage tanks, CERCLA, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.

  • Vince Angermeier

    Vince Angermeier

    As of counsel at Nijman•Franzetti LLP, Vince Angermeier concentrates his work on CERCLA, EPCRA, RCRA and Clean Water Act matters, enhanced by his environmental engineering experience.  Vince’s has assisted on civil litigation, administrative rulemakings, regulatory and compliance matters involving water, solid waste and EPCRA reporting issues.

  • Genevieve J. Essig

    Genevieve J. Essig

    Genevieve J. Essig serves as of counsel to the environmental law firm of Nijman·Franzetti LLP in Chicago. Ms. Essig has represented clients across a wide range of industries on environmental matters and has provided counsel with respect to regulatory compliance issues and best practices as well as CERCLA and cost recovery litigation.

  • Drew Nishioka

    Drew Nishioka

    Drew Nishioka is an associate in the environmental law firm of Nijman•Franzetti LLP, in Chicago. Drew has experience in environmental enforcement matters under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. Drew is knowledgeable on issues related to NPDES and Clean Air Act permitting, municipal water systems, state site remediation programs, environmental site assessments, and toxic tort litigation.

  • Anne Wahlig

    Anne Wahlig

    Anne Wahlig serves as of counsel to Nijman Franzetti LLP. In the past, she has worked in the corporation finance division at the Securities & Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., the structured finance group at Katten Muchin Zavis and the litigation department at Mandell Menkes LLC.

  • Kelly L. Emerson

    Kelly L. Emerson

    Kelly L. Emerson is an Administrative and Legal Assistant at Nijman•Franzetti LLP.  Ms. Emerson has been providing legal support services for over twenty-five (25) years.  She serves as the administrator for several Superfund PRP groups.

What their peers and clients have said:

Jennifer Nijman is recommended by her peers in Chamber’s surveys as a First Tier Environmental Litigator. Surveyed clients said she “has the ability to explain the intricacies of any given situation in layman’s terms,” a skill clients really appreciate.

Susan Franzetti is recommended by her peers in Chamber’s surveys as a First Tier Environmental Litigator. Surveyed clients said she is “a great litigator,” and is particularly praised for her work on permitting issues.

The duo were praised for offering “an interface between law and other professions, which gives clients access to a top-notch array of associated business contacts.” Despite its small size, clients and peers recommend this firm without hesitation.Quote

— Chambers and Partners USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business

Nijman•Franzetti LLP received a Tier 1 ranking in the 2018 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.”

Jennifer Nijman was named the Best Lawyers 2014 Chicago Environmental Law “Lawyer of the Year.”

Susan Franzetti was named Best Lawyers 2014 Chicago Litigation-Environmental “Lawyer of the Year.”

Lynn Grayson was named the Best Lawyers 2011 Chicago Environmental Law “Lawyer of the Year.”

Susan Franzetti, Jennifer Nijman and Lynn Grayson have been recommended by their peers for the publication Best Lawyers every year since 2006.Quote

— Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers in America

Nijman, Franzetti and Grayson are all listed in Best Lawyers in America.

Super Lawyers

Every year since 2005, Nijman, Franzetti and Grayson have been designated as Illinois Super Lawyers.

Leading Lawyers Network

The Leading Lawyer distinction is the result of annual statewide surveys of more than 60,000 Illinois Lawyers and has been earned by fewer than 5 percent of all lawyers licensed in Illinois. Since 2004, Nijman, Franzetti and Grayson have shared many distinctions, including:

  • Top 10 Leading Environmental Lawyers in Illinois
  • Top 10 Leading Real Estate-Related Lawyers in Illinois
  • Top 50 Leading Women Business Lawyers in Illinois