Richard “Rick” Leland has been inducted into Lawdragon’s 2025 Hall of Fame, which recognizes remarkable lawyers who have changed the face of the legal profession, including those who have created bodies of law, entire legal practices, and protections and rights that did not previously exist. 

With a focus on land use, environmental law, and litigation, Rick has more than 45 years of experience representing real estate developers, universities, nonprofit organizations, and industrial companies on the environmental aspects of real estate transactions, development, and land use. Rick’s work has been central in gaining approvals for — or defending lawsuits against — multiple billion dollar developments. He works with clients nationwide on a range of matters, including environmental impact review, regulatory, and transactional counseling, as well as counseling operators and lenders in litigation arising under the Federal “Superfund” Law on a nationwide basis.