Rick is a partner in the firm’s public-private partnership and alternative delivery practice group. He brings a “common sense” approach to working through challenging issues in order to successfully achieve his clients’ objectives.

Rick joined Hawkins upon graduation from law school in 1986 as an associate in the solid waste and municipal utilities group. He soon began working on waste-to-energy projects which launched his career as a public contracts lawyer in the solid waste, recycling, water, wastewater, residuals, renewable energy, transportation and social infrastructure fields. Rick has worked exclusively as owner’s representative and has helped structure, procure, draft and negotiate contracts involving P3s and every form of complex alternative delivery approach.

Rick has served as lead negotiating counsel for over 100 engagements on complex infrastructure projects delivered pursuant to P3 and alternative delivery contracting methods. His practice spans North America where he has served as special counsel for the development of environmental facilities in over 20 States, three Provinces and two Territories. Rick’s services regularly include advising on project planning and delivery matters, structuring of the procurement to ensure compliance with law and a fair and transparent competition, preparation of procurement documents, helping clients review, clarify, understand and evaluate proposals, and the drafting and negotiation of the key project agreements.

Rick has been the Legal Advisory Member of the New Jersey Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America and is a member of the New Jersey Association of Environmental Authorities and the New Jersey/New York/Connecticut Chapter of the Design Build Institute of America. Rick has lectured on solid waste and municipal utility issues before several forums including the Solid Waste Association of North America, the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships, Biocycle, Water Environment Federation, the Compost Council, the EPA LMOP Program, the Public Securities Association, the New Jersey Association of Environmental Authorities, the Municipal Waste Management Association, the New York City Bar Association and the New York State Legislative Commission on Solid Waste, and has been a faculty member for a class provided at the annual Wastecon and the Renewable Energy from Waste Conference regarding the development of waste-to-energy facilities.

Professional Memberships

  • Design-Build Institute of America
  • Solid Waste Association of North America
  • New York Bar Association
  • New Jersey Bar Association

Among the clients that Rick has assisted with complex infrastructure projects are:

  • California American Water (Drinking Water Desalination Project)
  • Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (Residuals Processing, Digester Gas-to-Energy and Solar Projects)
  • City of Fillmore, CA (Wastewater Treatment Project)
  • City of Los Angeles (Waste-to-Energy Project)
  • City of Vancouver, WA (Wastewater Project)
  • Clarkstown, NY (Transfer Station); 
  • Greensboro, NC (Recycling and Transfer, Transportation and Disposal Project)
  • County of Hawaii (Waste-to-Energy Project)
  • Fulton County, GA (Wastewater Treatment Project) 
  • Glasgow, KY (Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project)
  • Halifax Metropolitan Authority (Waste-to-Energy Project)
  • Metro Vancouver (BC) (Waste-to-Energy Project)
  • Monmouth County, NJ (Waste-to-Energy, Baling, Landfill Gas-to-Energy, Leachate Treatment, Recycling, Household Hazardous, Waste, Bulky Waste Transportation and Disposal and Solar Projects)
  • Nashville, TN (Residuals Processing Project)
  • New Hanover County, NC (Waste-to-Energy, MRF, Transfer, Transportation and Disposal Projects) 
  • New Jersey City University (Dormitories P3 Project)
  • New Jersey School Construction Authority (School Project)
  • Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority (Waste-to-Energy Project) 
  • Orangeville, Ont. (Wastewater Project)
  • Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority, NJ (Cogen and Residuals Processing Project) 
  • San Marcos, TX (Water and Wastewater Project)
  • Spokane County, WA (Wastewater Project) State of New Jersey (Transportation P3 Project)
  • Tacoma, WA (Wet Weather Wastewater Upgrade Project)
  • Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (RDF, Landfill Gas-to-Energy and Baling/Transfer Projects) 
  • Wake County, NC (Landfill Gas-to-Energy, Landfill DBO Projects)