Overview
Gabriel M. Vázquez-Segarra has more than two decades of combined experience in environmental regulation, governmental compliance, occupational safety, environmental planning, and complex civil litigation. His multidisciplinary background uniquely integrates legal advocacy with technical environmental expertise, allowing him to represent individuals, communities, and organizations in highly complex environmental contamination, toxic tort, administrative, and civil litigation matters.
Before entering private practice, Mr. Vázquez-Segarra held leadership and regulatory positions within the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, where he managed legal, regulatory, and environmental compliance matters involving air, water, and soil programs for an agency administering approximately $60 million in federal and state funds.
In private practice, Mr. Vázquez-Segarra has litigated civil, administrative, environmental, and mass tort matters involving hazardous substances, environmental contamination, public health impacts, property damage, and regulatory compliance issues. His background in environmental planning, GIS analysis, environmental enforcement, and hazardous materials management provides clients with strategic legal representation grounded in scientific and technical understanding.
In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Vázquez-Segarra serves as an Adjunct Professor in Environmental Affairs and Environmental Law, where he teaches graduate-level courses involving environmental regulation, administrative law, and environmental compliance.
Mr. Vázquez-Segarra earned his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law, both Cum Laude, along with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Planning and a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography.
“Effective advocacy in environmental and toxic tort litigation requires understanding not only the courtroom, but also the science, regulatory framework, and real-world impact these cases have on affected families and communities.”
Practice Areas
- Environmental Litigation
- Toxic Torts
- PFAS Litigation
- Lead Contamination Litigation
- Administrative and Regulatory Law
- Civil Litigation
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Environmental Compliance
- Governmental Investigations
- Catastrophic Injury and Public Health Litigation
Other Experience
Mr. Vázquez-Segarra previously served in a leadership role with the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, where he managed legal and regulatory affairs involving environmental compliance, public policy, emergency response coordination, and environmental enforcement programs. His experience includes work involving hazardous waste management, environmental permitting, occupational safety compliance, environmental emergency operations, and the development and revision of environmental regulations and policies.
He also possesses substantial experience in environmental planning, GIS analysis, hazardous materials operations, and environmental health and safety management in both governmental and private-sector settings.