Ariel Kapoano represents clients in a variety of complex environmental and commercial matters before US federal and state courts, including appellate courts. She has experience representing clients in matters involving cost recovery and contribution under CERCLA and state environmental laws, drinking water contamination, occupational toxic exposure, consumer class actions, business and corporate disputes, state government investigations, and environmental regulatory and enforcement issues. Ariel also advises clients on obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and represents companies during investigations concerning alleged health and safety violations.
Ariel has experience in New Jersey and New York trial courts as well as various US federal courts, including the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. She maintains an active pro bono practice, focusing on the representation of unaccompanied immigrant children. Ariel received the Princeton office's Pro Bono Service Award in 2019 in recognition of her work, and received a Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award in 2020 from the Newark, New Jersey office of KIND (Kids In Need of Defense). Ariel received the New Attorney Award during the New Jersey State Bar Association’s 2021 Pro Bono Awards. This award recognizes the exemplary pro bono efforts of a lawyer who has been in the practice of law for ten years or less.
While attending law school, Ariel received the Vanderbilt Medal for distinguished contributions to the School of Law and served as articles editor on the NYU Journal of Legislation and Public Policy. She also served on the boards of NYU Law Women and NYU Law Students for Reproductive Justice.
Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Princeton, The Best Lawyers in America (2023, 2024)
Ones to Watch, Litigation - Environmental, Princeton, The Best Lawyers in America (2024)
Recommended, Industry focus: Environment: litigation, The Legal 500 US (2022, 2023)
New Attorney Award, New Jersey State Bar Association’s Pro Bono Awards (2021)
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Kids in Need of Defense (2020)
Member, New Jersey State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
Member, American Bar Association
Board of Directors, Rutgers Hillel