Environmental Law

We provide penetrating and practical environmental advice and counsel to some of the nation’s leading companies and many New England municipalities, private business owners, citizens and non-profits.    

Many of our attorneys started their careers in government or the public sector, and have deep experience with drafting or enforcing environmental laws.  We are involved in cutting-edge issues emerging in the environmental arena, including the drafting and adoption of new legislation or regulations to address our clients’ concerns.  Our environmental group is recognized throughout New England as a leader in representing clients before state and federal environmental agencies.  We put our relationships with these agencies and our reputation for integrity and effectiveness to work on behalf of our clients to achieve practical and effective results.

• Renewable Energy Projects: supporting our Energy Practice Group on environmental matters related to the development of biomass, hydro, wind and solar projects around the country.
• Contaminated Property Sale and Redevelopment: advice on acquiring contaminated property without assuming liability for existing conditions; guidance on funding mechanisms for redeveloping contaminated properties.
• Land Use and Project Planning and Permitting: representing parties before town planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment; guidance on obtaining project permits and approvals from state and federal agencies; Working with the Energy Group in permitting alternative renewable energy projects across the country before the FERC and state agencies; assistance with use and development of conservation easements.
• Water Resources: NPDES and stormwater management permits; large groundwater withdrawal permits; defending State enforcement actions related to groundwater or surface water contamination, including negotiation of groundwater management permits and clean up actions; wetlands permitting and enforcement; emerging field of water resources; government attempts to limit groundwater and surface water usage and private party disputes.
• Shoreline Structures: assistance in permitting new structures or repairing or modifying existing structures such as docks, boat slips and boathouses, under the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act; defending enforcement actions with respect to unpermitted or grandfathered structures.
• Clean Air Act: assistance with Title IV and V air permit applications and compliance; structuring audits within the attorney-client privilege; advice regarding emissions credit trading for NOx and Sox; monitoring emerging fields such as environmental limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
• Hazardous and Solid Waste Management: offering compliance advice regarding complex state and federal regulations; defense of enforcement actions, both judicial and administrative; assistance with permitting facilities and processes; asserting claims against State funds including ODD, FOD, MOD Funds; representing clients at Superfund and other multi-party hazardous waste sites; assistance in resolving private property contamination claims.