Emily Deans Appointed President of Connecticut Environmental Forum

Emily Deans, a member of the firm’s Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group, has been appointed to serve a three-year term as President of the Connecticut Environmental Forum (CEF). Her new role became official at the organization’s annual meeting on November 2, 2022, and is effective immediately. Emily previously served as a member of the CEF’s Board of Directors and as the organization’s Vice President from 2021-2022. The Forum’s core mission is to provide an effective means for environmental professionals to share and exchange information and experiences on the important environmental issues that affect their communities and careers, furthering their expert knowledge and broadening understanding about the latest issues regarding environmental regulation.

Ken Baldwin Re-elected to SCG Legal Board of Directors

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group chair Kenneth C. Baldwin has been re-elected to serve on the board of directors for SCG Legal, a worldwide network of 122 leading independent law firms serving clients in major commercial centers and capitals in more than 62 countries, every U.S. state capital city and the District of Columbia. Ken was re-elected to the 15-member Board from among 12,000+ attorneys in the SCG global community and will serve a three-year term. As a Director, he will play a key leadership role in strategic planning, program development, and firm recruitment and retention. Robinson+Cole is among the firms in SCG’s network, which are unified by a culture of premier legal practices and industry leadership; an elevated dedication to client service and responsiveness; a commitment to diversity and inclusion; and a devotion to transparent, innovative, and fair billing practices. 

Robinson+Cole Receives 43 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

Robinson+Cole received 43 first-tier metropolitan rankings, including 30 in the city of Hartford, in the 2023 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.” Law firms included in the publication are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

Robinson+Cole also received four national rankings: Tier 1 ranking for Land Use & Zoning Law, Tier 2 rankings for Information Technology Law and Real Estate Law, and a Tier 3 ranking in Labor Law - Management. Read more in the press release. 

Jon Schaefer Quoted in Recycling Today Article on New EPA Office of Environmental Justice

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group member Jon Schaefer was quoted in the article “EPA establishes Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights,” published in Recycling Today on October 11, 2022. The article focuses on the recent announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it has established the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to engage communities with environmental justice (EJ) concerns and better understand and advance EJ and civil rights efforts.

The EPA’s announcement states that the new Office will dedicate more than 200 EPA staff in EPA headquarters and across 10 regions, and “delivers on President Biden’s commitment to elevate these critical issues to the highest levels of the government and solidifies the agency’s commitment to delivering justice and equity for all.” The Office will oversee the implementation and delivery of a $3 billion climate and EJ block grant program authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act. According to industry watchers, the new Office’s initiatives will likely have an impact on recycling businesses, particularly those located in communities that have expressed EJ concerns.

According to Jon, this expansion shows the federal government is serious in pushing forward with environmental justice measures. ”This is a strong signal and sets up the framework for the EPA to push down their message and initiatives to the state and local levels,” he says, and one that is likely to result in a sharp increase in funding and access to data to further EJ initiatives. Encouraging recyclers to familiarize themselves with the EPA’s goals with the new Office, Jon suggests they be aware of their surroundings “and to the extent that you will be going into any permitting process, start early in that process to understand whether environmental justice factors will be involved.” Read the article here.

Joey Lee Miranda Elected to Lead New England Women in Energy and the Environment

Congratulations to Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group partner, Joey Lee Miranda, who was elected President of the New England Women in Energy and the Environment (NEWIEE) on October 1, 2022. Her practice focuses on energy, telecommunications, and water matters, including litigation, transactional and regulatory representation, and counseling. Joey Lee has been a member of NEWIEE’s Board of Directors since 2008 and served as its Vice President from 2020-2022.

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in 2022 Super Lawyers®

A total of 39 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named to Super Lawyers® lists in the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island for 2022. In addition, 30 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.”

Jeffrey J. White was named to the Top 50: 2022 Connecticut Super Lawyers list. Linda L. Morkan appears on the Top 25: 2022 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list and, similarly, Natalie D. Ramsey was included in the Top 50: 2022 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. Read more in the press release.

Peter Knight Quoted in Transition Economist Article on Streamlining Offshore Wind Permitting

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Peter R. Knight was quoted in the article “US takes on offshore permitting bottleneck” published in Transition Economist on September 8, 2022. The article focuses on the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act (ITA) as an economic boost to US offshore wind projects as well as a new regional approach by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Boem) that will make site specific reviews more straightforward as the result of an initial regional review. “'Conceptually, the policy is very sound and should accelerate permit review and determination,' says Peter Knight, partner at law firm Robinson & Cole, although he [cautions] 'it is still early days” for the new approach.'"

James Ray Named a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers' Class of 2022

Congratulations to Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group member, James Ray, who was named a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers’ (ACOEL) Class of 2022 on August 12, 2022. As described in the College’s announcement, each of the 25 Fellows and one Honorary Fellow was selected “for their distinguished experience, high standards of practice, and substantial contributions to the field of environmental law.” The group of new Fellows have backgrounds in government service, public interest, academia, and private practice, and among them represent 17 states and the District of Columbia. ACOEL’s President, Michael D. Hockley, announced the new members, stating that they “are among the very best practitioners of environmental law in the country. Collectively, they represent a tremendous depth, breadth, and diversity of experience.” 

74 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

74 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023. Of the 74 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 54 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law insurance law and construction litigation. Only the top 5.3 percent of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Additionally, the following five lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Brian R. Smith in Land Use and Zoning Law, Christine E. Bromberg in Tax Law, James P. Ray in Litigation – Environmental, Joey Lee Miranda in Energy Regulatory Law, Norman H. Roos in Banking and Finance Law, Rachel V. Kushel in Employment Law – Management, Theodore J. Tucci in  Health Care Law and Virginia E. McGarrity – in Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.

The third edition of Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” was also released, includes 23 Robinson+Cole lawyers. The “Ones to Watch” recognition is given to attorneys early in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. The firm has the highest number of lawyers to receive this designation in Hartford, Connecticut. Read more in the press release.

Megan Baroni and Jon Schaefer Co-Author IndustryWeek article on EPA Power Plant Ruling From SCOTUS

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “EPA Power Plant Ruling Could Have Broader Effects for Industry,” published in IndustryWeek on July 8, 2022. The article focuses on the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency, where the Supreme Court held that the EPA exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act in its attempt to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. While the immediate impact of the decision is fairly limited, the Supreme Court’s rationale has the potential to impact federal agency authority across a broad range of sectors. The larger outcome of West Virginia v. EPA could be an expansion of cases that seek to invalidate agency actions based on the major questions doctrine. Read the article.

Megan Baroni Elected to New Canaan Nature Center Board

Megan Baroni, a member of the Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the New Canaan Nature Center. Megan's three-year term was affirmed at the Center's Annual Meeting in June and became effective on July 1, 2022. The mission of the Nature Center is to serve as “an environmental education organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to respect, protect and enjoy the world of nature.” The Center’s 40-acre site provides for a wide range of activities, including community and family, youth, adult, and urban outreach programs.

2022 Chambers USA Recognizes 19 Robinson+Cole Lawyers in 10 Practice Areas

In its 2022 edition, the legal directory Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized 19 Robinson+Cole lawyers, including one that has been recognized nationwide. In addition, the firm received rankings in seven practice area categories that the publication covers in Connecticut. Read more in the press release.

Megan Baroni Article Recognized by JD Supra as Among “Top” of 2021

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Partner, Megan Baroni, authored the article “Coca-Cola Sued for Deceptive Sustainability Claims,” which was named one of JD Supra’s most popular stories in the Food and Beverage category for all of 2021. The story, initially posted to the Manufacturing Law Blog last June, highlights a lawsuit brought against Coca-Cola, “the world’s leading plastic waste producer,” by Earth Island Institute, a not-for-profit environmental organization. The suit alleges that Coca-Cola is deceiving the public by marketing itself as sustainable and environmentally-friendly, while “polluting more than any other beverage company and actively working to prevent effective recycling measures in the U.S.” Read Megan’s full article here.

Megan Baroni Discusses Developing Interdisciplinary Blog Content on LexBlog Podcast

Megan Baroni, a partner in the firm’s Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group, was a featured interview guest in the February 24, 2022 episode of the LexBlog podcast “This Week in Legal Blogging,” hosted by Bob Ambrogi. Megan spoke about the practice of dedicating useful content to the manufacturing sector, the power of an interdisciplinary blog to cater to a niche clientele, and the origin of Robinson+Cole’s Manufacturing Law blog. Listen to the podcast here. 

Megan Baroni Co-Authors IndustryWeek Article on Microplastics

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Megan E. Baroni co-authored the article, “Microplastics Are in the News, and Manufacturers Are Seeing Lawsuits,” published on January 20, 2022 in IndustryWeek. Megan co-authored the article with colleagues Rachel Henke and Catie Boston of environmental consulting and management firm Roux. The article points out that litigation is on the rise as microplastics are being found increasingly throughout the environment. Microplastics, either manufactured directly or formed as plastics wear through use or breakdown in landfills, can enter the environment in a variety of ways. Cases being filed under federal environmental law, state consumer protection laws, as well as common law are having real impacts on industries that produce and use plastics. In addition, California is leading the way in developing microplastics regulations that may ultimately impact producers and users of plastics. 

Read the full article here. 

Jon Schaefer Authors ISHN Article on Biden Administration's OSHA Enforcement

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group member, Jon Schaefer, authored the article, “A Look at OSHA enforcement in 2021 under the Biden administration,” published on January 6, 2022, in Industrial Safety & Hygiene News (ISHN) Magazine. The article points out the criticism aimed at the Trump administration for what many considered a too-lax approach to OSHA enforcement actions, stating that the “number of inspections and citations between 2016 and 2019 were lower than previous years, and OSHA was not always as vocal about its enforcement efforts.”

By contrast, the article notes that the Biden administration has fulfilled campaign promises to focus greater attention on, and support for, OSHA efforts, particularly with regard to COVID-19, but in other areas as well, including “increasing the number of OSHA investigators, possibly by as much as 100%.” Based on the administration’s directives and efforts in 2021, the article predicts an increase in enforcement actions over the next three years and encourages employers to “review your workplace’s compliance with applicable OSHA regulations, including anti-retaliation policies as well as preparing the workplace and your employees for an OSHA inspection.” Read the full article here.

Megan Baroni and Jon Schaefer Co-Author CE This Week Article on The Current Status of OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard Is in Flux,” published in CE This Week on November 15, 2021. The article focuses on the current status of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), halted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit motion to stay, which ordered that no further steps to implement or enforce the ETS be taken. At this time, OSHA has suspended activities related to the ETS, pending future developments in ongoing litigation. Read the full article.

Robinson+Cole Receives 40 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

Robinson+Cole received 40 first-tier metropolitan rankings, including 28 in the city of Hartford, in the 2022 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.” Law firms included in the publication are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

Robinson+Cole also received four national rankings: Tier 1 ranking for Land Use & Zoning Law, Tier 2 rankings for Information Technology Law and Real Estate Law, and a Tier 3 ranking in Labor Law - Management. Read more in the press release. 

Jon Schaefer Authors ISHN Article on OSHA Retaliation Complaints

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Jonathan H. Schaefer authored the article “OSHA retaliation complaints rising – Have you checked your anti-retaliation program lately?” published in ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) on October 14, 2021. The article acknowledges the record number of retaliation complaints filed by employees for raising workplace health and safety concerns and for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses as a result of COVID-19. Given that “employee complaints are one of the major triggers for OSHA investigations, it is likely that a whistleblower complaint will lead to an OSHA inspection and investigation. For this, and other reasons, employers should be aware of OSHA’s anti-retaliation law and how to avoid triggering retaliation claims.” Jon offers background on the enforcement of Whistleblower Protection Program OSH Act Section 11(c), steps employers can take in an effort to prevent retaliation claims and recent developments with OSHA anti-retaliation. Read the article.

Robinson+Cole Launches Environmental Law + Blog

Robinson+Cole is pleased to launch its Environmental Law + blog. The latest addition to the firm’s network of blogs is dedicated to providing a timely and thoughtful forum for discussion of developments in the environmental, health and safety (EH+S), and energy landscapes.

The Environmental Law + blog is produced by Robinson+Cole’s Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group, one of the largest and most diverse in the Northeast, with Jonathan H. Schaefer serving as editor. To receive updates from the Environmental Law + blog, please subscribe. Read more in the press release.

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

A total of 42 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named to Super Lawyers® lists in the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island for 2021. In addition, 29 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.”

Bruce B. Barth and Jeffrey J. White were named to the Top 50: 2021 Connecticut Super Lawyers list. Linda L. Morkan appears on the Top 25: 2021 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list and, similarly, Natalie D. Ramsey was included in the Top 50: 2021 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. Read more in the press release.

Emilee Mooney Scott Named to Hartford Business Journal’s 2021 “40 Under Forty” Class

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott was selected by the Hartford Business Journal for inclusion in its 2021 “40 Under Forty” class. The honorees were each profiled in a special section published in the August 23, 2021 edition of the Hartford Business Journal and recognized during a special event on September 21, 2021 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium/Rentschler Field commemorating the 2021 class and 40 Under Forty’s 25th anniversary.

The class showcases a diversity of up-and-coming professionals who are leading their organizations in sectors that include the legal, technology, insurance, real estate, banking and nonprofit arenas, and from organizations both small and large. They represent the promising future of the city, region, and state, and were selected from among more than 160 nominees. Read more in the press release.

Jon Schaefer Quoted in SHRM Article on Employers Continuing to Adhere to OSHA’s COVID-19 Guidance

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Jonathan H. Schaefer was quoted in the article “OSHA Calls on Employers to Protect Workers from COVID-19” published under the “Employment Law” category of the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) online resources web page. The article stresses the importance of employers’ remaining vigilant in their adherence to COVID-19-related safety measures under OSHA’s general-duty clause, which entitles employees to a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. Jon acknowledges that in addition to the risk of violating the general-duty clause, employers are facing citations for violation of specific OSHA regulations relative to COVID-19, such as violation of standards related to respiratory protection, bloodborne pathogens, sanitation and PPE. Jon also addresses OSHA’s liability for employee side effects from a vaccine. "This may have been a valid concern earlier in 2021 when OSHA's enforcement guidance compelled those employers requiring employees to be vaccinated as a condition of employment to record adverse reactions to the vaccine if the adverse reaction met the other recordability criteria," he said. OSHA has since indicated it will not enforce the recordability requirements as related to the effects from COVID-19 vaccination—at least through May 2022. Read the article.

Jon Schaefer Selected to Receive 2021 EBC Ascending Leader Award

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Jonathan H. Schaefer is among the honorees selected by the Environmental Business Council of New England, Inc. (EBC) to receive its 2021 EBC Ascending Leader Award. The EBC recognizes young professionals in the energy and environmental sectors demonstrating exceptional leadership and industry involvement early in their careers with the annual presentation of the EBC Ascending Leader Award. Recipients are leaders within their own organizations, often acting as mentors to junior staff, providing thought leadership on critical issues, and leading teams on difficult or large projects. They also represent their organizations through participation in industry associations and committees, supporting the growth of the environmental and energy sectors. Early career success and rapid advancement in the industry are hallmarks of award recipients, who are often involved civically as well. The award recipients will be presenting at the EBC Spotlight on Success: A Panel Discussion with the 2021 EBC Ascending Leader Award Recipients on September 22, 2021. Currently, Jon serves as Vice Chair of EBC’s Connecticut Chapter and is a member of the EBC Site Remediation and Redevelopment Committee.

Emilee Mooney Scott Profiled in Hartford Business Journal’s 2021 “40 Under Forty” Issue

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott was profiled in a special issue of the Hartford Business Journal commemorating the publication’s 2021 “40 Under Forty” winners. In addition to providing a brief bio, Emilee’s profile shares reasons why she deserves the 40 Under Forty designation and a "fun fact" about her. View the profile.

The Hartford Business Journal's 2021 “40 Under Forty” class showcases a diversity of up-and-coming professionals who are leading their organizations and represent the promising future of the city, region, and state. This year’s class will be recognized during a special event on September 16, 2021 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium/Rentschler Field. The reception will be a special celebration honoring the 2021 class and 40 Under Forty’s 25th anniversary.

65 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022

65 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022. Of the 65 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 49 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law and insurance law.

Additionally, the following five lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Patrick M. Birney in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Michael F. Maglio in Banking and Finance Law, Robert S. Melvin in Environmental Law, Joey Lee Miranda in Energy Law and Jacqueline Pennino Scheib in Trademark Law. Peter V. Lacouture was also named a Best Lawyers® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in Providence, Rhode Island in the area of Energy Law.

The second edition of Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” was also released, of which 17 total Robinson+Cole lawyers are listed in. The “Ones to Watch” recognition is given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Read more in the press release.

Joey Lee Miranda Appointed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Liaison of Connecticut Power & Energy Society

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda has been appointed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Liaison of the Connecticut Power & Energy Society (CPES), the state’s leading association of energy professionals. CPES is dedicated to generating information, sharing ideas and educating Connecticut about energy. Joey Lee has served on the organization’s board of directors since 2009 and also led CPES as President from 2015 to 2017. 

Brian Freeman, Earl Phillips and Jon Schaefer Author Recycling Today Article on Auto Shredder Operations Related to Emissions and Environmental Justice

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Brian C. Freeman, Earl W. Phillips Jr. and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “Auto Shredder Regulators Attentive to Emissions and Environmental Justice,” published in Recycling Today on June 18, 2021. While the intersection of shredder operations, related air emissions and environmental justice (EJ) regulations is not new, Brian, Earl and Jon acknowledge that the issue is “receiving significant new scrutiny from federal, state and local environmental regulators, as well as from neighborhood activists and environmental groups.” The article highlights recent EJ initiatives, covers some of the air permitting and EJ basics and offers some questions to consider regarding emissions and EJ. “Air permitting always has been a complicated and cumbersome process that can bring lengthy permitting battles or significant enforcement actions. With an increased focus on EJ, air permitting for recycling facilities in general, and especially those with shredders, will only become a more important process for which a facility must prepare and handle appropriately from the outset.” Read the full article.

Jim Ray Authors Article on “New Chapter” of Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund Site

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group member James P. Ray authored the article “Centredale Manor (Again): First Circuit Affirms Approval of Consent Decree” published in Litigation News, a monthly member newsletter from the American Bar Association (ABA) Litigation Section, on June 23, 2021. The article discusses a recent decision from the First Circuit approving the Consent Decree between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Emhart Industries for the cleanup of the Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund Site in North Providence, RI. Jim is actively involved in the Section’s Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee and has represented several parties in the Centredale Manor litigation. Members can read the article here.

Megan Baroni and Jon Schaefer Co-Author Construction Executive Article on COVID-19 and OSHA Inspections

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “OSHA Inspections in a Time of COVID-19” published in Construction Executive on May 26, 2021. The article focuses on how employer best practices to follow during an OSHA inspection are complicated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular emphasis on the construction industry. Megan and Jon offer insight on OSHA’s Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan and National Emphasis Program, Multi-Employer Citation Policy, and general whistleblower protections as well as implementing a COVID-19 prevention program. Read the full article.

Megan Baroni, Chris Eddy, Peter Knight and Jon Schaefer Author ISHN Article on OSHA Inspections During COVID-19

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni, Christopher Y. Eddy, Peter R. Knight and Jonathan H. Schaefer authored the article “COVID-19 and its Impact on the OSHA Inspection Process” published in ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) on May 27, 2021. Taking into consideration how COVID-19 has brought significant changes to OSHA’s inspection and enforcement focus, the article offers best practices for managing facility inspections, both generally and with specific references to COVID considerations. Read the article.

Chambers USA Recognizes 19 Robinson+Cole Lawyers in 10 Practice Areas

In its 2021 edition, the legal directory Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized 19 Robinson+Cole lawyers, including one that has been recognized nationwide. In addition, the firm received rankings in seven practice area categories that the publication covers in Connecticut. Read more in the press release.

Jon Schaefer Named Vice Chair of Environmental Business Council of New England Connecticut Chapter

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group member, Jonathan H. Schaefer, has been named Vice Chair of the Connecticut Chapter of the Environmental Business Council (EBC) of New England. According to its website, the mission of the EBC Connecticut Chapter is to identify and address issues of concern and of interest to EBC members and their clients in Connecticut. Issues include legislative, regulatory and policy developments in Connecticut, recent project successes and how they were accomplished, and networking and business development opportunities at the federal, state, regional, and local level. To address these issues the EBC Connecticut Chapter provides objective information from up-to-date and reliable sources including government officials, technology developers, and business experts. Jon also serves on EBC’s Site Remediation and Redevelopment Committee.

Megan Baroni, Chris Eddy, Peter Knight and Jon Schaefer Author EHS Today Article on Combustible Dust and OSHA Inspections

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni, Christopher Y. Eddy, Peter R. Knight and Jonathan H. Schaefer authored the article “Combustible Dust and OSHA Inspections” published in EHS Today (environmental, health and safety ) on April 19, 2021. The article focuses on OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program, which continues to be an area of focus and enforcement. While OSHA does not have its own combustible dust standard, the Administration has said it will rely on the General Duty Clause and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for enforcement. Guidelines to prepare for and handle OSHA inspections are in some cases universal, but when combustible dust may be a factor, there are some unique considerations for employers to be mindful of. Megan, Chris, Peter and Jon cover the actions employers can take before, during, and after an inspection to mitigate the potential for a citation. Read the full article.

Megan Baroni, Chris Eddy, Peter Knight and Jon Schaefer Author ISHN Article on Combustible Dust

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni, Christopher Y. Eddy, Peter R. Knight and Jonathan H. Schaefer authored the article "Avoiding Dust- Ups with OSHA over NFPA 652 Compliance" published in the March issue of ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News). The article offers an update on OSHA's Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program, which was launched in 2008 and continues to be an area of focus and enforcement. "While no OSHA standard directly addresses combustible dust, this has not hindered OSHA enforcement. Instead, OSHA has relied on the General Duty Clause and reference to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards when citing employers for combustible dust hazards." Under NFPA 652 facilities were required to complete an initial dust hazard analysis by September 7, 2020. Megan, Chris, Peter and Jon also briefly cover the applicable NFPA standards and OSHA’s compliance guidance. Read the full article.

James Ray Authors “Medical Monitoring?: Depends on Where You Live" for ABA Publication

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group member, James P. Ray, authored the article “Medical Monitoring?: Depends on Where You Live,” published in the Spring 2021 edition of the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee newsletter on March 5, 2021. The article examines three recent PFAS-related cases heard in Alabama, Vermont, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, each of which had a different outcome in its respective court. Jim writes, “Depending on the jurisdiction, the claim for medical monitoring may be asserted as an independent cause of action for medical monitoring but is more typically asserted as a form of relief based on another tort theory. But whether such a claim or request for relief is available varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.” Read the article here.

Megan Baroni, Chris Eddy, Peter Knight and Jon Schaefer Author ISHN Article on Substantial Continuity Test

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni, Christopher Y. Eddy, Peter R. Knight and Jonathan H. Schaefer authored the article “Breaking the chain of “substantial continuity” — Tenth Circuit clarifies test for repeat OSHA violations” published in ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) on February 10, 2021. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Sec’y of Labor v. Wynnewood Refining Co. recently evaluated the applicability of the substantial continuity test in connection with an OSHA citation that included several repeat violations. The article offers background on the important role that repeat violations play in OSHA citations, how the substantial continuity test has been applied in determining whether a current company should be held liable for repeat citations based on citations from a prior company, and how the Tenth Circuit addressed that question in Wynnewood Refining. Read the full article.

Emily Deans Named Vice President of Connecticut Environmental Forum

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emily C. Deans was named Vice President of the Connecticut Environmental Forum (CEF) during the organization’s November meeting. CEF provides a forum for environmental professionals to share and exchange information and experiences on environmental matters, and to learn about the latest issues regarding environmental regulation. The organization’s core mission is to educate its members on the important environmental issues that affect their community and career. Emily previously served in the role of Director.

Earl Phillips and Jon Schaefer Co-author Article on Biden's Approach to Environmental Justice

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Earl W. Phillips Jr. and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “A look at President-elect Biden’s approach to environmental justice” published in Waste Today on January 18, 2021. After providing a brief overview of environmental justice (EJ), a governmental response to the disparate environmental and public health impacts of pollution on minority and economically disadvantaged communities, the article examines President-elect Joe Biden’s Plan to Secure Environmental Justice and Equitable Opportunity and also highlights state-level EJ activity. In addition, Earl and Jon offer insight into proactively addressing EJ regulations using a structured, measured approach. Read the full article.

Megan Baroni, Chris Eddy, Peter Knight and Jon Schaefer Author ISHN Article on OSHA’s COVID-19 Response

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni, Christopher Y. Eddy, Peter R. Knight and Jonathan H. Schaefer authored the article “COVID-19 and OSHA: Where we started and where we are now” published in ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) on January 7, 2021. The article gives a brief summary of OSHA’s response to COVID-19 to date and where enforcement measures currently stand. The piece also examines COVID-19 enforcement trends and offers some insight on changes and challenges for employers in 2021.  Read the full article.

Earl Phillips and Maria Scungio Recognized as Global Leaders by Who’s Who Legal

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group Co-chair Earl W. Phillips Jr. and Intellectual Property + Technology Group Partner Maria A. Scungio have both been recognized as Global Leaders in 2020 editions of Who’s Who Legal. Earl was recognized in Who’s Who Legal: Environment 2020 and Maria in Who’s Who Legal: Trademarks 2020. According to its website, “Who’s Who Legal (WWL) is one of the world’s leading directories of legal practitioners and non-lawyer consulting experts.” Earl and Maria were selected by their peers for inclusion in the publications. WWL is published by Law Business Research, an independent London-based publishing group which provides research, analysis and reports on the international legal services marketplace.

Megan Baroni, Matt Miklave, Jon Schaefer and Emily Zaklukiewicz Author Article on OSHA Recordkeeping and Reporting Obligations Published in ISHN

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni and Jonathan H. Schaefer and Labor and Employment Group lawyers Matthew T. Miklave and Emily A. Zaklukiewicz authored the article “OSHA citations serve as reminder to employers about recordkeeping and reporting obligations” published in ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) on December 10, 2020. The article focuses on the importance of employers adhering to the Office of Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) recordkeeping and reporting requirements as failure to comply may result in significant penalties. “[S]ince the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, [OSHA] has cited 144 establishments for COVID-19-related violations, totaling over two million dollars in penalties.” The piece goes on to cover recordkeeping obligations, reporting obligations, reporting hospitalizations, reporting fatalities, and determining “work-related” illness as it pertains to COVID-19. Read the full article.

Megan Baroni, Matt Miklave, Jon Schaefer and Emily Zaklukiewicz Author Article on OSHA Recordkeeping and Reporting Obligations Published in ISHN

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni and Jonathan H. Schaefer and Labor and Employment Group lawyers Matthew T. Miklave and Emily A. Zaklukiewicz authored the article “OSHA citations serve as reminder to employers about recordkeeping and reporting obligations” published in ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) on December 10, 2020. The article focuses on the importance of employers adhering to the Office of Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) recordkeeping and reporting requirements as failure to comply may result in significant penalties. “[S]ince the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, [OSHA] has cited 144 establishments for COVID-19-related violations, totaling over two million dollars in penalties.” The piece goes on to cover recordkeeping obligations, reporting obligations, reporting hospitalizations, reporting fatalities, and determining “work-related” illness as it pertains to COVID-19. Read the full article.

Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners and Counsel

Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce the election of Steven J. Boyajian, J. Tyler Butts, Ryan V. Leichsenring, Krista L. Patterson, Jonathan H. Schaefer, Emilee Mooney Scott, Jonathan E. Small, Anthony J. Vogel and Abby M. Warren as partner as well as the promotion of Katherine M. Fix, and Kathryn M. Rattigan to counsel, effective January 1, 2021.

“All of these lawyers have been extraordinarily strong contributors to our firm and it is wonderful to be able to recognize their achievements and be a part of the continuing growth of their careers,” said Stephen E. Goldman, Managing Partner of Robinson+Cole. “Congratulations to this outstanding group of lawyers and future leaders on their well-deserved promotions.” Read more in the press release.

Joey Lee Miranda Elected Vice President of NEWIEE

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda was elected Vice President of the New England Women in Energy & the Environment (NEWIEE) during the organization’s October 2020 meeting of its board of directors. NEWIEE aims to harness the passion, intelligence, and leadership experience of women to promote and encourage public interest in the energy and environmental sectors. Joey Lee has served on the Board of Directors since 2008 and has also previously held the roles of Clerk and Assistant Clerk.

Robinson+Cole Receives 36 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

Robinson+Cole received 36 first-tier metropolitan rankings and four national rankings in the 2021 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.” The national rankings are in the areas of Information Technology Law, Labor Law - Management, Land Use & Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Law firms included in the publication are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Read more in the press release.

Robinson+Cole Welcomes Fall Class

Robinson+Cole welcomes back the following members from our summer class and internship programs: Christopher Y. Eddy (University of North Carolina School of Law), Michael G. Lisitano (Quinnipiac University School of Law), Ryan M. Messina (Widener University School of Law), Samuel C. Maduabueke (University of Connecticut School of Law), Annecca H. Smith (Washington University in St. Louis School of Law), and Kayla N. West (Wake Forest University School of Law), and congratulates them on their recent graduation.

Earl Phillips and Jon Schaefer Co-author Recycling Today Article on Business Disruption Clauses

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Earl W. Phillips Jr. and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “Contractually preparing for business disruptions,” published in the October 2020 issue of Recycling Today. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the article offers insight to those in the recycling industry on avoiding potential risks or ambiguity created by “form” clauses in contracts. “Before evaluating any contract, it can be valuable to understand whether and to what extent you could benefit or be harmed by the clarity or ambiguity of the contract’s terms.” The piece goes on to emphasize common elements, select terms, and careful review. Read the full article.

47 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in Super Lawyers®

A total of 47 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named to Super Lawyers® lists in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island for 2020. In addition, 29 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.”

Also, Bruce B. Barth was named to the Top 50: 2020 Connecticut Super Lawyers list and Linda L. Morkan appears on the Top 25: 2020 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list.

The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. Read more in the press release.

Jon Schaefer, Earl Phillips and Matt Miklave Co-author Article Published in Scrap Magazine

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Jonathan H. Schaefer and Earl W. Phillips Jr., along with Labor + Employment Group lawyer Matthew T. Miklave co-authored the article “COVID-19, Employment and Health” published in the September/October 2020 issue of Scrap, the bimonthly magazine of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. Published in the “Of Counsel” column, the article focuses on employee testing rules and the first coronavirus-specific state OSHA regulations. Read the full article.

Five Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized During Connecticut Legal Awards

The Connecticut Law Tribune recognized Robinson+Cole lawyers Frank F. Coulom Jr., John L. Cordani, Taylor A. Shea, Jonathan H. Schaefer, and Dan A. Brody during the publication’s annual Connecticut Legal Awards on September 30, 2020. Hosted virtually this year, the awards honor those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in Connecticut - whether in shaping the law, achieving outsized results for their clients, being an outstanding jurist or assisting those in need of legal services.

Frank F. Coulom Jr. was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a lawyer “who has left a lasting imprint on the legal community of Connecticut.” John L. Cordani received the Distinguished Leader Award for achieving “impressive results in 2019 and demonstrating clear leadership skills that helped achieve those results.” Taylor A. Shea, Jonathan H. Schaefer and Dan A. Brody were all recognized as “New Leaders in the Law,” a distinction that spotlights lawyers under the age of 40 who have excelled in the courtroom, in client service and cultivation, in service to bar associations, and in performing pro bono work or community service in a volunteer capacity. Read more in the press release.

61 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021

61 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021. Of the 61 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 46 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law and insurance law.

Additionally, the following six lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Michael R. Enright in Litigation – Bankruptcy, Gregory R. Faulkner in Litigation – Construction, Virginia E. McGarrity in Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Joey Lee Miranda in Environmental Law, James P. Ray in Litigation – Environmental and Theodore J. Tucci in Health Care Law. Michael S. Giaimo was also named a Best Lawyers® 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” in Boston, Massachusetts, in the area of Land Use and Zoning Law.

The inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch was also released, of which 17 total Robinson+Cole lawyers are listed in. The “Ones to Watch” recognition is given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Read more in the press release.

Megan Baroni and Jon Schaefer Co-Author Article on the First State COVID-19 OSHA Standard Published in ISHN

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “Virginia issues first COVID-19 OSHA Standard,” published in ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) on August 5, 2020. Originally posted on R+C’s Manufacturing Law Blog, the piece covers the Commonwealth of Virginia's recent passing of the first COVID-19 OSHA standard, which "codifies, and in some cases exceeds, guidance from OSHA and the Center for Disease Control." The article also acknowledges that "Virginia’s actions may be a signal to the many other 'state-plan' states to do the same." Read the full article.

Earl Phillips and Jon Schaefer Co-author Articles Published in Scrap Magazine

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Earl W. Phillips Jr. and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored two articles published in the May/June 2020 issue of Scrap, the bimonthly magazine of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. The first article, “COVID-19’s Likely Impact on Business Contracts,” published in the “Of Counsel” column, highlights areas of contracts and agreements that warrant careful review as a key takeaway for business leaders from the COVID-19 pandemic. The second article, “Understanding the EPA's COVID-19-Related Enforcement Discretion,” published in the “EHS Spotlight” column, offers an overview of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chambers USA Recognizes 20 Robinson+Cole Lawyers in 11 Practice Areas in CT, PA, and RI and Nationwide

In its 2020 edition, the legal directory Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized Robinson+Cole in all six practice area categories that the publication covers in Connecticut. In addition, 20 lawyers were individually ranked from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, including one that has been recognized nationwide. Read more in the press release.

Bob Melvin, Emilee Mooney Scott and Megan Baroni Author PFAS Article Published in InFlow-Line Magazine

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Robert S. Melvin, Emilee Mooney Scott, and Megan E. Baroni co-authored the article “PFAS Background and Updates for the Water Industry,” published in the Winter 2019/2020 edition of InFlow-Line magazine, the quarterly publication of the Connecticut Section of the American Water Works (CTAWWA) and the Connecticut Water Works Associations (CWWA). The feature article is a follow up to presentations given by the lawyers on the status of regulatory initiatives and litigation concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) issues during the CTAWWA/CWWA 2019 Fall Conference. Bob provided an overview on PFAS concerns, while Emilee shared PFAS regulatory updates and related considerations and Megan covered PFAS litigation developments. The article also included a PFAS historic and technical background provided by GZA GeoEnvironmental, who co-presented the session with R+C at the fall conference. Read the full article.

Joey Lee Miranda Receives 2020 Client Choice Award

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda has been recognized by Client Choice as the exclusive 2020 winner in the Energy & Natural Resources category for Connecticut. This is the second consecutive year that she has received the award, which focuses “on the ability to add real value to clients’ business above and beyond other players in the market.” Read more in the press release. 

Robinson+Cole Elects New Partner and Counsel

Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce the election of Taylor A. Shea as partner and the promotion of Nathaniel T. Arden, Jonathan H. Schaefer, Cara C. Vecchione, and Anna Jinhua Wang to counsel, effective January 1, 2020. Read more in the press release.

Robinson+Cole Receives 33 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

Robinson+Cole received 33 first-tier metropolitan rankings and four national rankings in the 2020 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.” The national rankings are in the areas of Information Technology Law, Labor Law - Management , Land Use & Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Law firms included in the publication are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Read more in the press release.

52 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

A total of 52 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named to Super Lawyers® lists in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2019. In addition, 32 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.”

The following lawyers were named to the Top 50: 2019 Connecticut Super Lawyers list: Denis C. Cavanaugh, Gregory R. Faulkner, Linda L. Morkan, Todd R. Regan, and Jeffrey J. White. Linda also appears on the Top 25: 2019 Women Connecticut Super Lawyers list.

The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. Read more in the press release.

Earl Phillips and Jon Schaefer Co-author Scrap Magazine Article on Nuisance Claims

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Earl W. Phillips Jr. and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “Don't Let a Nuisance Claim Become a Nuisance,” published in the September/October 2019 issue of Scrap, the bimonthly magazine of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. The article covers what a nuisance is, how to avoid nuisance claims, and handling a nuisance claim in a non-adversarial manner.

Megan Baroni and Jon Schaefer Co-Author Industrial Safety & Hygiene News Article on OSHA’s New Fit Testing Protocols

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni and Jonathan H. Schaefer co-authored the article “OSHA approves new respirator fit testing protocols,” published by Industrial Safety & Hygiene News on October 2, 2019. The piece focuses on the recent final rule issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which approves two additional quantitative fit testing protocols for inclusion in appendix A of the Respiratory Protection Standard. “Both protocols are variations of the original OSHA-approved ambient aerosol [condensation nuclei counter] CNC protocol, but have fewer test exercises, shorter exercise duration, and a more streamlined sampling sequence.” Read the full article.

Jim Ray Quoted in Bloomberg Environment on PFAS Case

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer James P. Ray was quoted in the article “Limited Legal Impact Predicted From Court’s OK of PFAS Case” published by Bloomberg Environment on October 2, 2019. The article covers a recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio denying motions to dismiss filed by 3M Co., DowDuPont, and other manufacturers of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foam to which the plaintiff, a former firefighter, was exposed. While the plaintiff’s claims survived the motions to dismiss, the bigger issue still to be decided is whether the case will be certified as a class action, given the broad definition of the proposed class, including anybody in the United States “with detectable levels of PFAS materials in their blood serum.” “Parts of the decision will be relevant, but I don’t know that I would characterize them as so significant as to have huge implications in the other cases,” said Jim. Read the full article.

Ken Baldwin Elected to SCG Legal Board of Directors

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group Chair Kenneth C. Baldwin has been elected to the board of directors of SCG Legal, an international network of leading law firms. Ken will serve a three-year term ending in 2022. Robinson+Cole is a founding member of SCG Legal, an association of more than 140 independent law firms with nearly 12,000 lawyers serving businesses in all 50 U.S. state capital cities and in capital cities and major commercial centers around the world. Read more in the press release.

57 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020

57 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020. Of the 57 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 44 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law, insurance law, and litigation-construction.

Additionally, the following four lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Thomas P. Cody in Real Estate Law, Michael R. Enright in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, John B. Lynch Jr. in Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Theodore J. Tucci in Insurance Law. Kathleen M. Porter was also named a Best Lawyers® 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” in Boston, Massachusetts, in the area of Information Technology Law. Read more in the press release.

Earl Phillips Presents on PFAS at Air & Waste Management Association's ACE 2019 Meeting

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Earl W. Phillips, Jr. presented on "Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Specific Technical Challenges, Litigation, and Solutions" at the Air & Waste Management Association’s ACE 2019 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada on June 25, 2019. The panel addressed the predominant sources and routes of exposure associated with adults and children in the general public, communities in close proximity to production areas, and occupational populations, where inhalation may be the primary driver. Methodologies to derive inhalation-based toxicity criteria to allow for screening level assessment were presented, focused on U.S. EPA- and ATSDR- (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) promulgated standards.

Focused primarily on the impact to human health, few PFAS sites have addressed ecological risk. An ecological exposure model for birds and mammals was discussed as applied to five Aqueous Film-Forming Foam-impacted sites to clarify exposure pathways and identify key receptors of concern, including site-specific modeling results and prioritization. Discussion also included soil as a key intermediary source at PFAS sites affected by the deposit of airborne emissions from PFAS manufacturing processes - based on leaching and overland transport of suspended particles - and the resulting impact to underlying groundwater. Soil represents a key reservoir with respect to ongoing sources of contamination in water. The legal landscape for these considerations is dynamic, further complicating data gaps. The panel looked at cases involving both individuals and classes of plaintiffs seeking personal injury damages and health monitoring, water companies seeking protection, as well as municipalities and State environmental and public health agencies.
 

Jim Ray and Emilee Mooney Scott Address CBIA on Technical and Legal Challenges of PFAS

Jim Ray and Emilee Mooney Scott spoke on technical and legal challenges and litigation associated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) at the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s (CBIA) 2019 Energy & Environment Conference in Cromwell, CT on June 13, 2019. Jim discussed "What Are the Health, Environmental, and Litigation Challenges of PFAS?" Emilee presented on "How Are the Technical, Regulatory, and Legal Challenges of PFAS Being Addressed?" Both panels also included scientists from GZA GeoEnvironmental, an engineering and science consulting firm. The keynote speaker for the conference was Katie Dykes, Commissioner of the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Robinson+Cole was a sponsor of the event.

Members of the Hartford Office's EE+T Group Take Part in Keney Park Sustainability Project

Members of the Hartford office’s Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group participated in the Keney Park Sustainability Project in Hartford, CT on the afternoon of June 6, 2019. The community service team - including Keney Park Sustainability Project Board member Emily Deans, Brian Freeman, Bob Melvin, Jim Ray, Jon Schaefer, Emilee Mooney Scott, and UConn legal extern James Zimmer - assisted with weeding and planting cucumbers and zucchini. 

The goals of the Project include:

• Creating an onsite and mobile teaching kitchen to increase nutrition awareness and access to healthy food for low-income families;
• Supporting the development and sustainability of community-based food systems, such as farmers markets, community gardens, school-based gardening, home gardens and other agricultural projects; and
• Educating families about the impact of the environment on mental, physical and spiritual health by practicing sustainable techniques that promote a healthy, symbiotic relationship between and our environment.  

The vision of the Project is “to create the next generation of healthy, productive and environmentally conscious citizens” by providing hands-on training, on-site demonstrations, outreach and community collaborations that help families become more self-sustainable and environmentally aware. At 693 acres, Keney Park is the largest park within the Hartford city system. It was a gift from the investor and wholesale grocer, Henry Keney in 1894, and was designed by the architectural firm led by the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the great American landscape artist who designed Central Park in New York City. 

Jon Schaefer Named to Environmental Business Council of New England Committee

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications lawyer Jon Schaefer has been named to the Leadership Team of the Environmental Business Council of New England’s (EBC) Site Remediation and Redevelopment Committee. Jon's appointment is effective as of April 9, 2019. The purpose of the Committee is to identify and address remediation and redevelopment issues of importance to EBC members and their clients. Those issues can include legislative, regulatory and policy developments, innovative technologies, and business and development opportunities at all levels of government. Members of the team meet regularly with the committee chair to identify topics for future EBC programs, whose goal is to provide objective information from up-to-date and reliable sources, including government officials, technology developers, and business experts.

Jim Ray Authors Article on PFAS Litigation

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer James P. Ray authored the article “PFAS Litigation: Just Getting Started?,” featured in the Winter 2019 issue of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Environmental and Energy Litigation, a publication of the ABA Section of Litigation. The article focuses on some of the more significant types and examples of PFAS lawsuits pending or recently settled in courts across the country. Jim describes the proliferation in the second half of the 20th century of materials that contained PFAS, including non-stick pans, waterproof and stain-proof clothing, and improved firefighting foams, and the potential health risks of exposure to even low levels that are now becoming apparent. He cautions that there is no indication that PFAS-related litigation, in which plaintiffs are claiming damages for personal injury, medical monitoring, and loss of property value, is likely to slow down anytime soon.

Diana Neeves Graduates from Environmental Law Leadership Program

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Diana E. Neeves recently graduated from the New York City Environmental Law Leadership Institute (NYCELLI), a non-profit organized by the New York City Bar Environmental Committee. Participants each year comprise a select class of only 12 young lawyers who have worked at least two years in environmental law, and who have demonstrated a commitment to service, leadership, and advocating for environmental health. The Institute’s alumni have been described as a “Who’s Who” of environmental law in the city.

The course is a year-long program that explores the legal landscape, history, and policies behind the environmental challenges confronting New York City. In order to receive a Certificate of Completion, participants must attend eight class sessions and at least two tours of environmentally significant sites in and around the city, as well as develop and implement a one-year project designed to improve the quality of the city’s environment and the health of its residents.

Leticia Pimentel Joins Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group

The Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group welcomes Leticia C. Pimentel as an associate in the firm's Providence office. Leticia focuses her practice on energy and utility law, assisting clients with the permitting and siting of energy, utility, and other infrastructure projects. Read more in the press release.

Joey Lee Miranda Receives 2019 Client Choice Award

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda has been recognized by Client Choice as the exclusive 2019 winner in the Energy & Natural Resources category for Connecticut. The criteria for the award focuses “on the ability to add real value to clients’ business above and beyond other players in the market.” Uniquely, these awards survey senior corporate counsel only, with this year’s winners chosen from a pool of more than 2,000 individual client assessments. Read more in the press release. 

Robinson+Cole Promotes Nine Lawyers to Counsel

Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce the promotion of nine associates to counsel, effective January 1, 2019. The new counsel are J. Tyler Butts, Karla L. Chaffee, Kevin P. Daly, Soo Y. Kim, Matthew P. Mazzola, Emilee Mooney Scott, Taylor A. Shea, and Jovana Vujovic.

“Each of these lawyers has significantly enhanced some of our core practices in three of our key markets,” said Stephen E. Goldman, Robinson+Cole’s Managing Partner. “The elevation of this group furthers the development of our lawyers and the firm’s continued success in these strategic areas. It’s my pleasure to congratulate our new counsel on their well-deserved advancement.” Read more in the press release.

Emily Deans Appointed to Connecticut Environmental Forum Board of Directors

The Connecticut Environmental Forum (CEF), an organization that provides a forum for environmental professionals to share and exchange information and experiences on environmental matters and to learn about the latest issues regarding environmental regulation, has appointed Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emily C. Deans to its Board of Directors. CEF was founded by a small group of environmental professionals seeking a way to acquire accurate regulatory knowledge in a timely fashion. The organization’s core mission is to educate members on the important environmental issues that affect their communities and careers. Read more in the press release.

Jon Schaefer Presents Program on Regulatory Compliance During ISRI Yard Management Forum

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Jonathan H. Schaefer presented a program on "Regulatory Compliance in Action" during the 2018 ISRI Yard Management Forum in Washington, D.C. held from November 8-9, 2018. Hosted by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI), the forum was developed to provide up-to-date knowledge and training to operations and maintenance supervisors on all facets of running a scrap yard. Jon's program linked abstract regulatory requirements with real-world situations and demonstrated the reasons and purposes behind certain practices scrap yards are required to undertake.

Robinson+Cole Receives 36 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – “Best Law Firms” Survey

Robinson+Cole received 36 first-tier metropolitan rankings in the 2019 “Best Law Firms” list published in U.S. News & World Report. The firm also received four national rankings: Tier 2 rankings for Land Use & Zoning Law and Real Estate Law and Tier 3 rankings for Information Technology Law and Labor Law - Management.

The rankings are presented in tiers, on both the national and metropolitan lists, by practice area. Rankings are based on surveys in which major clients and lawyers are asked to rate the law firms they consider best in their practice areas. The full methodology can be found at http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/methodology.aspx.

View the complete list of first-tier metropolitan rankings.

Brian Freeman Presents Session on New Source Review Permit Program

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Brian C. Freeman presented the program “Courts, Crystal Balls and Cautions” as part of the New Source Review Workshop, hosted by the Air & Waste Management Association's New England Section, on October 11, 2018 in Robinson+Cole’s Boston, Massachusetts office. The event was attended by industry, federal and state environmental regulators, and environmental consultants, and focused on recent reforms to the Clean Air Act’s preconstruction permit program known as “New Source Review.” Brian’s presentation focused on legal challenges to these reforms and likely next moves by the EPA.

51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

A total of 51 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2018. In addition, 32 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. View the list of recognized attorneys and their areas of practice.

Brian Freeman Presents on UST Regulations for Gas Stations

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Brian C. Freeman presented a program on “UST Regulations for Gas Stations,” during the 2018 Southern New England Energy Conference held September 24-25, 2018 in Newport, Rhode Island. The fifth annual conference for petroleum marketers and industry vendors is organized by the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, the Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, the Oilheat Institute of Rhode Island; and sponsored by the New England Fuel Institute. Brian’s program offered an overview of federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations, with a focus on changes this year, and covered testing and inspection requirements and a number of areas of flexibility permitted as states implement these regulations. The session also offered insight on state-specific implementation of new rules.

Emily Deans Appointed to Keney Park Sustainability Project Board of Directors

The Keney Park Sustainability Project, an organization that helps families become more self-sustainable and environmentally conscious while preserving the historic Keney Park, has appointed Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emily C. Deans to its Board of Directors. The goal of the Project is to support the development and sustainability of community-based food systems such as farmers markets, community gardens, school based gardening, agricultural project and home gardens. Read more in the press release.

Jim Ray Participates in Panel Discussion During Southern New England Energy Conference

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer James P. Ray was among the speakers that presented during a panel discussion on “The Antea Appeal and What it Means for You,” as part of the Southern New England Energy Conference held September 24-25, 2018 in Newport, Rhode Island. During the afternoon breakout session, Rich and Jim covered the pending appeal they brought of a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) declaratory ruling interpreting provisions of Connecticut’s Remediation Standard Regulations and Licensed Environmental Professionals Regulations. They offered insight on the far-reaching implications the ruling could have on the petroleum industry in Connecticut, which could lead to added uncertainty, added costs, and delay in getting sites cleaned up. The appeal is currently on hold, as the court remanded the matter back to DEEP, ordering DEEP to consider additional information submitted by the petitioner.

Earl Phillips, Jon Schaefer, and Abby Warren Author Scrap Magazine Article on Physical Ability Tests

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Earl W. Phillips Jr. and Jonathan H. Schaefer, and Labor + Employment Group lawyer Abby M. Warren authored the article “Use Caution When Testing Physical Abilities,” published in the September/October 2018 issue of Scrap, the bimonthly magazine of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. The article focuses on the use of physical ability tests (PATs) in the scrap industry which, are used to ensure that employees can perform the job’s essential functions. The piece goes on to cover two recent settlements with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that demonstrate the potential exposure unlawful PATs can cause. Earl, Jon, and Abby encourage companies using PATs to consider other practical alternatives in order to avoid federal law violation. “If you decide PATs are necessary, regular re-evaluation and validation, including legal review by competent counsel, could reduce your risk of a discrimination claim or lawsuit.” Read the full article.

Emily Deans Appointed Treasurer of Connecticut Bar Association Energy, Public Utility and Communications Law Section

The Connecticut Bar Association has appointed Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Emily C. Deans treasurer of its Energy, Public Utility and Communications Law Section for the 2018-2019 Bar year. The Section aims to (1) promote communication among members of the Bar involved in public utility law; (2) promote an exchange of ideas relating to the practice of utility law; (3) provide a mechanism for education of the Bar and the public on utility matters; and (4) seek opportunities to improve the public utility regulatory process.

Mike Maglio and Earl Phillips Receive Best Lawyers® 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” Designation

Robinson+Cole lawyers Michael F. Maglio and Earl W. Phillips, Jr. have each been named the Best Lawyers® 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut. Mr. Maglio's recognition is in the area of Banking and Finance Law, and Mr. Phillips' recognition is in the area of Environmental Law.

Overall, 52 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 (Copyright 2018 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Of the 52 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 42 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Read more in the press release.

Jim Ray Offers Insights on Vapor Intrusion Litigation During ABA Roundtable Discussion

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer James P. Ray was among the speakers that participated in a roundtable discussion on the "Latest Perspectives on Vapor Intrusion Litigation" on June 28, 2018. Presented by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation Environmental and Energy Litigation Committee, the live audio call-in program covered the regularly changing programs at the state and federal level.

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group Members Volunteer for Riverfront Recapture

Members of the Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group participated in a community service project for Riverfront Recapture in Hartford on May 31, 2018. The group of volunteers, Emily C. Deans, Brian C. Freeman, Peter R. Knight, Earl W. Phillips Jr., and Emilee Mooney Scott, spent the afternoon working together with Riverfront Recapture staff to weed and mulch planting beds and prune trees on the walkway north of Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. Volunteers also received a short history of the area focusing on Riverfront Recapture’s efforts to reconnect the city to its prized waterfront, which was severed by dikes, I-91, and other artificial barriers in the last century. The service project is part of an effort by the Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group to participate in environmentally focused activities that serve the community. View photos.

Megan Baroni and Jim Ray Present at 2018 Energy & Environment Conference

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers Megan E. Baroni, Richard M. Fil,  and James P. Ray were among the speakers that presented during a breakout session on "Vapor Intrusion & Spill Response" as part of the 2018 Energy & Environment Conference on May 18, 2018 in Farmington, Connecticut. Presented by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, the annual conference provides critical updates on state and federal enforcement trends and regulations, energy opportunities for small and large businesses, and the potential impact of proposed state legislation. During the breakout session, Ms. Baroni and Mr. Ray covered the first topic on “Vapor Intrusion: The View from the Courtroom—and the Trenches” and Mr. Fil covered the second topic on “Spill Response & Preparation: What's Not in Your Spill Plan.”

Megan Baroni Quoted in Law360 Article on Proposed EPA Data Rule

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Megan E. Baroni was quoted in the article “EPA Science Data Rule Could Upend Regulatory Process,” published in Law360 on May 4, 2018. The article covered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent proposal to require publication of certain data from scientific studies that are considered in the regulatory process and said that such a requirement could undermine or disqualify many human health risk analyses because they rely on the anonymity of their subjects, potentially making future regulation less likely as a result.

The EPA has defended the proposed rule, stating that it is aimed at ensuring certain data that form the basis of “pivotal regulatory science” can be independently analyzed and validated. The proposal has raised concerns from environmental and public health groups that such transparency requirements will be barriers to large-scale health studies that promise confidentiality of personal information to their human subjects.

Ms. Baroni said one potential vulnerability is the fact that many environmental statutes call for the best available science to be used in determining the agency’s actions. "Somebody could point to this new rule and say, 'You've put this requirement on these studies that they all be publicly available, but how can you say that's the best available science?'" she said. "Some of the best available science may have confidential data attached to it, and the laws don't say, 'the best available science that I can find on a Google search.'" Read the full article.

Jim Ray and Emilee Mooney Scott Offer Insights on PFAS

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyers James P. Ray and Emilee Mooney Scott presented on “Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – Regulation, Research, Risk, Mitigation & Alternatives” on May 10, 2018 at Dow Chemical in Marlboro, Massachusetts. Ms. Scott discussed transactional considerations and state-level regulation of PFAS in drinking water and other environmental media, and Mr. Ray discussed litigation considerations. The program, sponsored by the Massachusetts Chemistry & Technology Alliance, included presentations by a wide range of technical experts on topics including: an introduction to PFAS; alternative chemistries; hazards and risks; pathways and mitigation; and detection and sampling of PFAS in the environment.

Chambers USA Recognizes Robinson+Cole Lawyers and Practice Groups

The legal directory Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized Robinson+Cole in all six practice areas that Chambers USA covers in Connecticut in its 2018 edition and has individually recognized 18 of the firm’s lawyers.  
Robinson+Cole earned rankings in the following Connecticut practice areas: Corporate/M&A, Environment, Healthcare, Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, and Real Estate. See the individual market press releases for the list of Robinson+Cole lawyers included in Chambers USA 2018.

Megan Baroni Moderates Program on Interstate Water Disputes at ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources’ 47th Spring Conference

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Megan E. Baroni served as the moderator for a program on “Interstate Water Disputes: Water Quality and Water Quantity Meet at the Supreme Court” as part of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources’ 47th Spring Conference held from April 16 to April 18, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The program focused on the recent case where Florida alleges that Georgia diverts too much water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system, thus, damaging the Apalachicola Bay and the local seafood industry. Georgia, in turn, claims that capping its water use would undermine its economy, including that of the Atlanta metropolitan area and Georgia’s agricultural sector. Ms. Baroni facilitated a discussion that examined the important role the Supreme Court plays in water supply disputes which provided insight into the special master procedure and whether the process adequately addresses water resources disputes between states or calls for alternative methods of resolution.

Diana Neeves, John Peloso, and Evan Seeman Present Webinar and Author Practice Note for Thomson Reuters Practical Law™

Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Evan J. Seeman, and Business Litigation Group lawyer John F. X. Peloso Jr., presented a webinar on “Religious Land Use Disputes; Latest Case Law Updates and Strategies for Avoiding and Defending Claims” on January 17, 2018. Hosted by Thomson Reuters Practical Law™, the webinar covered the Religious Land Use & Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and how it has changed the landscape of local zoning decisions and disputes involving religious exercise. Mr. Peloso, and Mr. Seeman provided insights on ways to regulate religious issues to over 140 participants. View the PowerPoint.

In addition, Mr. Peloso and Mr. Seeman, along with Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Diana E. Neeves, authored the practice note “Local Government Regulation of Religious Land Uses Under RLUIPA” published by Thomson Reuters Practical Law™. The practice note provides an overview of regulating religious land uses under RLUIPA for local government attorneys and discusses different ways local governments can regulate religious uses, the types of claims that can be brought, and strategies for training staff and handling applications under RLUIPA. View the practice note.

Natale DiNatale, Les Levinson, Virginia McGarrity, and Brian Nichols Present Health Law Webinar

Health Law Group lawyers Leslie J. Levinson and Brian D. Nichols and Labor + Employment Group lawyers Natale V. DiNatale and Virginia E. McGarrity presented a program on “Getting Your Health Care Entity Ready for a Purchase or Sale Transaction: Steps for Success” on February 27, 2018. The webinar provided practical takeaways and key considerations in planning for a purchase or sale transaction of a health care entity including: regulatory issues related to hospitals, physician practices, and post-acute health care providers; resource management, deal process considerations, and transaction timing; and labor, employee benefit, and environmental issues.

Jim Ray Moderates Panel on the Use of Court Appointed Experts and Technical Advisors

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications lawyer James P. Ray moderated a session on the "Use of Court Appointed Experts and Technical Advisors in Complex Litigation" presented during the 2018 Environmental & Energy, Mass Torts and Products Liability Litigation Committees' Joint CLE Seminar on January 26, 2018 in Whistler, British Columbia. Sponsored by the American Bar Association's Section of Litigation, the panel covered the use and selection of court-appointed experts, the ways these experts work with the court and parties, and the types of cases where these appointments are typically made.

Joey Lee Miranda Appointed Secretary of New England Women in Energy & the Environment

New England Women in Energy & the Environment (NEWIEE), a non-profit organization that aims to harness the passion, intelligence, and leadership experience of women to promote and encourage public interest in the energy and environmental sectors, has appointed Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda to serve as Secretary of its Board of Directors. Founded in Boston in 2008, the goal of NEWIEE is to foster a dynamic and enthusiastic environment for those who care about energy and environmental issues in order to encourage the development of creative solutions to energy and environmental issues. Read more in the press release.

Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners

Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce the election of seven new partners, effective January 1, 2018. The new partners are Kendra L. Berardi, Stephen O. Clancy, Dana M. Horton, Rachel V. Kushel, Keisha S. Palmer, Timothy C. Twardowski, and George W. Watson III.

“The development and advancement of our lawyers is critical to our continuing success,” said Stephen E. Goldman, Robinson+Cole’s Managing Partner. “The advancement of these new partners is representative of the ways in which the firm continues to grow and be successful. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate our new partners, and also congratulate the R+C community for helping them achieve their success.”

Read more in the press release.

Diana Neeves Participates in Panel Discussion on Cultural and Religious Bias in Land Use in New Jersey

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Diana Neeves was a panelist for the discussion, "Cultural and Religious Bias in Land Use Practice in New Jersey." The panel was part of a larger event on November 3, 2017 in New York City called "Hindsight 2017: Urban Planning Through the Equity Lens," sponsored by the New York City Metro Chapter of the American Planning Association. Ms. Neeves and her fellow panelists described several cases in which religious and cultural groups, particularly Muslims in central New Jersey and the Ramapough Native American tribe in northern New Jersey, have been denied permits to practice their faith and culture in the state. The panel discussion also included a review of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and how it can be used to protect the rights of disadvantaged cultures.  

Robinson+Cole Receives 37 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and 3 National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Law Firms Survey

Robinson+Cole received 37 first-tier metropolitan rankings in the 2018 “Best Law Firms” list published in U.S. News & World Report.

The firm also received three national rankings: Tier 2 ranking for Real Estate Law and Tier 3 rankings for Information Technology Law and Land Use & Zoning Law.

The rankings are presented in tiers, on both the national or metropolitan lists, by practice area. Rankings are based on surveys in which major clients and lawyers are asked to rate the law firms they consider best in their practice areas.

View a complete list of the firm's first-tier metropolitan rankings in the news release.

Megan Baroni to Lead Group within American Bar Association Section of Litigation

The American Bar Association Section of Litigation appointed Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Megan E. Baroni as co-chair of its Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee. Ms. Baroni previously served as the co-chair of the Water/Sediment Subcommittee and was recognized by the Section as an “Outstanding Subcommittee Chair” during her term. Read more in the press release.

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

A total of 56 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2017. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

In addition, 29 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here.

See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

Joey Lee Miranda Participates in Women of Power Panel at RESA Symposium

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Joey Lee Miranda was a member of the panel discussion "Women of Power – Industry Leaders and Challenges Facing the Industry" on September 20 at the 2017 Retail Energy Markets Symposium, sponsored by the Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA). Ms. Miranda, along with the other panelists, addressed the challenges the retail energy supply faces. RESA is a broad and diverse group of retail energy suppliers that advocates for "vibrant and sustainable competitive retail energy markets as a better alternative for consumers than monopoly-protected utility regulation."

Diana Neeves Tackles "Take-Home" Toxins in Article

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Diana Neeves recently authored an article entitled, "Take-Home Toxins Expand Duty of Care," published by the American Bar Association Section of Litigation’s Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee. The article discusses the recent Schwartz v. Accuratus Corp. decision issued by the U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania. The court held that a ceramics manufacturer, Accuratus Corporation, could be liable under New Jersey law for chemical exposure injuries to a woman who was both the girlfriend of one of its employees and the roommate of another employee. The woman allegedly suffers from chronic beryllium disease, which she believes was caused by exposure to beryllium brought to her home on her boyfriend and roommate’s clothing and shoes. According to the article, the case represents an expansion of an employer’s duty for secondhand exposure beyond a traditionally defined household, effectively opening the door to a new class of plaintiffs. Please click here for a link to the article.

Peter Lacouture to Lead ABA Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section

The American Bar Association (ABA) Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section elected Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group lawyer Peter V. Lacouture as chair during the section’s annual meeting on August 12, 2017, held in conjunction with the ABA 2017 Annual Meeting.

Formerly the Section of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law (PUCAT,) the Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section is the third oldest section in the ABA and celebrates its 100^th anniversary during 2017-2018 bar year. The group brings together members of the bar who represent clients in the rapidly changing legal environment in infrastructure and regulated industries including the aviation, communications, electricity, gas, oil pipeline, railroad, transportation infrastructure, and water industries.

Mr. Lacouture has served the section in a number of positions including twelve years as Editor in Chief of Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries, a comprehensive review of developments in areas represented by the Section's committees. Read more in the press release.

Fifty-Nine Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018

Fifty-nine Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018 (Copyright 2017 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Of the 59 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 49 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state.

Additionally, the following six lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Dennis C. Cavanaugh in Litigation – Construction; Stephen E. Goldman in Insurance Law; Stuart D. Rosen in Litigation – Banking and Finance; Edward J. Samorajczyk Jr. in Securities / Capital Markets Law; William T. Sellay in Mergers and Acquisitions Law; and Theodore J. Tucci in Health Care Law.

See a complete listing of all Robinson+Cole's ranked lawyers in the press release.

Brian Freeman Authors Article for Environmental Publication

Environmental + Utilities Group lawyer Brian Freeman wrote the article “Time to Toss it Out? The ‘Once In, Always In’ Policy for ‘Major Source’ Hazardous Air Pollutant Standards,” in the July 2017 edition of the Environmental Law Reporter. In the article, Mr. Freeman discusses how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent call for regulatory reform suggestions provides an opportunity to end EPA’s policy for defining a major source of hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Under the policy, if a facility’s potential to emit hazardous air pollutants ever exceeded “major source” thresholds, the facility must comply with regulations for “major sources” permanently, even if the facility later reduces its potential emissions below trigger levels. The article questions the legal and practical soundness of this approach, and discusses how ending the policy would avoid compliance burdens and unwarranted penalties, and incentivize emission reductions. Click here to view the article. 

Alex Judd Named to ABA Section of State and Local Government Law's Nominating Committee

Environmental + Utilities Group lawyer Alexander W.  Judd  has been appointed to the Nominating Committee of the ABA's Section of State and Local Government Law. The Nominating Committee is charged with submitting names of nominees for section officers and council for the 2017 to 2018 association year. 

Environmental + Utilities Group Members Volunteer to Keep Bushnell Park Beautiful

Members of the Environmental + Utilities Group participated in a community service project at Bushnell Park in Hartford on May 31, 2017. The group of volunteers, comprised of Alexander W. Judd, Peter R. Knight, Robert S. Melvin, Joey Lee Miranda, Earl W. Phillips Jr., James P. Ray, Jonathan H. Schaefer, and Emilee Mooney Scott, spent the afternoon working together to mulch flower beds and clean up the park’s playground area. As a thank you, the group was given a tour of the park’s Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch by Mary Zeman, manager of the Bushnell Park Foundation. The project is part of an effort by the Environmental + Utilities Group to participate in environmentally focused activities that serve the community. Click here to view photos.

Chambers USA Recognizes Robinson+Cole Lawyers and Practice Groups

The legal directory Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized the law firm of Robinson+Cole in six practice area categories in its 2017 edition and has individually recognized 18 of the firm’s lawyers, including one lawyer who received nationwide recognition.  
Robinson+Cole earned rankings in each of the practice areas that Chambers USA covers in Connecticut: Corporate/M&A, Environment, Healthcare, Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, and Real Estate.
See the full press release for the list of Robinson+Cole lawyers included in Chambers USA 2017.

Todd Berman Presents Awards to Students at Connecticut Invention Convention

Senior Environmental Analyst Todd Berman presented the Environmental Innovation Awards at the finals of the Connecticut Invention Convention on Saturday, April 29. The award was given out on behalf of the Connecticut Environmental Forum (CEF), an organization which gives environmental professionals an opportunity to share and exchange information. The award honors the best environmentally innovative inventions. The event took place at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. The winners included: third-grader Ali Bokhari, for energy capturing sneakers using piezoelectric technology; fifth-grader Abby Belding, for her organics composting system; and eighth-grader Audry Larson, for her carbon abatement vegetated road cover design. On May 3, CEF hosted a follow-up event to honor the winners, which was attended by several state environmental leaders, including Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Klee. Click here to view photos.

Earl Phillips Speaks at Annual ISRI Convention

Environmental + Utilities Group lawyer Earl W. Phillips Jr. a presented at the Annual Convention of the Institute Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) in new Orleans on April 26, 2017. Aimed toward business owners, their program, "Nuisance Claims – Making the Big Uneasy Easier," analyzed the nature of potential claims for alleged nuisances related to the operation of scrap recycling facilities and the steps companies might take to avoid such claims. Specifically, they provided insight into the business risks, the applicable state and local laws related to nuisance, and the various factors used to determine what is or is not actionable. 

Megan Baroni Co-Chairs CLE Joint Seminar for ABA's Section of Litigation

Environmental + Utilities Group lawyer Megan E. Baroni co-chaired the ABA Section of Litigation’s Environmental & Energy, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committees' Joint CLE Seminar. Held in Squaw Valley, California, from January 26 to January 28, 2017, this CLE program brought together in-house counsel, government employees, members of the judiciary, and plaintiffs and defense counsel to learn about the latest insights and law developments in the areas of  environmental, energy, mass torts, and products liability. The topics included the recent trend of sanctioning in-house and outside counsel for discovery and other misconduct; the rise of citizen science in supporting environmental and product-related claims; emerging insurance coverage issues in the environmental, energy, mass torts, and products liability areas; and ethical and logistical issues facing plaintiffs' lawyers in the multidistrict litigation program.

Environmental + Utilities Group Members Speak on 2017 Regulatory Outlook at CEF Forum

Amid a rapidly changing regulatory and political environment, Environmental + Utilities Group members presented "Regulatory Trends and Outlook for 2017" at the Connecticut Environmental Forum (CEF) Meeting in Wethersfield, Connecticut, on February 1, 2017. Todd R. Berman, Brian C. Freeman, Robert S. Melvin, and Emilee Mooney Scott provided  a comprehensive overview of environmental rules, exposures, and trends likely to emerge or strengthen over the course of the year and how Connecticut environmental professionals can navigate these choppy waters. Mr. Berman is president of the CEF Board of Directors.

Robinson+Cole Environmental + Utilities Group Members Present on Compliance Trends for 2017

Members of Robinson+Cole's Environmental + Utilities Group, senior environmental analyst Todd R. Berman and environmental lawyers Emilee Mooney Scott and Brian C. Freeman, presented the webinar "Environmental and Compliance Trends for 2017: Practical Strategies for Staying Ahead of Regulatory Changes" on November 30, 2016. In response to a new political alignment, implementation of existing rules, and emerging compliance concepts and regulatory tools, the session addressed new and changing responsibilities for environmental professionals in the upcoming year. The speakers discussed environmental regulatory trends to expect for 2017 and how to prepare for them. Among issues covered were new regulatory changes for 2017 concerning the Toxic Substances Control Act, emerging contaminants, greenhouse gases, land use and climate change, new refrigerant regulations, and an expected expansion of the Accidental Release Prevention (CAA § 112(r)) program.

Robinson+Cole Receives 34 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and 3 National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Law Firms Survey

Robinson+Cole received 34 first-tier metropolitan rankings, including 26 in the city of Hartford, in the 2017 “Best Law Firms” list published in U.S. News & World Report.

The firm also received three national rankings: Tier 2 rankings for Information Technology Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, and Real Estate Law.

The rankings are presented in tiers, on both the national or metropolitan lists, by practice area. Rankings are based on surveys in which major clients and lawyers are asked to rate the law firms they consider best in their practice areas.

View a complete list of the firm's first-tier metropolitan rankings in the news release.

Robinson+Cole's Environmental + Utilities Group Holds Annual Summit

The Environmental + Utilities Group held its annual team and client summit on the latest updates on environmental law in Newport, Rhode Island, held from September 28 to 30, 2016. Based on client input, the group introduced an interactive public relations exercise, discussed chemical regulation (TSCA reform), and covered a host of emerging EHS/energy topics, including vapor intrusion, environmental justice, and citizen science, and presented the results of our Environmental Health and Safety Transactional Benchmarking Survey. Key contacts in attendance included Pfizer, UTC, Ahold USA, and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

Please view photos of Earl Phillips, Joey Lee Miranda, Steve Goldman, and others as they participated in a lively game of croquet before the dinner at the International Tennis Hall of Fame on September 29. Click here to view photos.

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

A total of 51 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2016. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

In addition, 23 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here.

See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

Emilee Mooney Scott Appointed to West Hartford Conservation & Environment Commission

The town of West Hartford recently appointed environmental lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott to serve on its Conservation & Environment Commission which develops and conserves natural resources and protects the integrity of the environment within the territorial limits of the town.

Read more in the press release.

Emilee Mooney Scott Publishes Environmental Year in Review Article for Connecticut Law Tribune

Environmental + Utilities Group lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott wrote the article "Environmental Year in Review: Decisions Reinforce DEEP's Authority" for the Connecticut Law Tribune, which was published on September 19, 2016. In the article, Ms. Scott focuses on key cases this year that have strengthened the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) authority. She discusses several decisions, all in DEEP’s favor, from each level of Connecticut courts, which have created uncertainty for the regulated community. Please click here to read the entire article.

Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017

Robinson+Cole was again recognized as having the highest number of Connecticut lawyers selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2017 (Copyright 2016 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Across the firm’s practice groups and offices, 57 lawyers were named to this year’s list, including 47 in Connecticut.

Additionally, the following four lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2017 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Dennis C. Cavanaugh in Construction Law; Judith M. Keppelman  in Litigation – Trusts and Estates; Linda L. Morkan in Appellate Practice; and Edward J. Samorajczyk Jr. in Corporate Law.

See a complete listing of all Robinson+Cole's ranked lawyers in the news release.

Megan Baroni and Tavo True-Alcala’s Article on the Clean Water Rule Featured in the ABA Environmental Litigation Committee Newsletter

Environmental lawyer Megan E. Baroni and environmental analyst Tavo True-Alcala co-authored the article entitled "Who Can Rule on the Clean Water Rule?" for Environmental Litigation, a newsletter of the American Bar Association's Environmental Litigation Committee. Published on June 7, 2016, the article summarizes the array of lawsuits that were filed challenging the EPA's latest rulemaking to define jurisdictional waters under the Clean Water Act. Please click here to read the article and find out who is currently ruling on the Clean Water Rule.

Megan Baroni Quoted in Legal NewsLine

Environmental lawyer Megan E. Baroni was quoted in the article "Final OSHA reporting rules require public reporting," published in Legal NewsLine on June 2, 2016. The article discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) set of new rules requiring large companies to annually report workplace injuries and illnesses. Ms. Baroni said that "OSHA regulations already required employers to keep records regarding workplace injuries and illnesses," and now employers will have to provide those records to OSHA annually. She also added that OSHA will use the data to evaluate worker safety on an industry-by-industry basis to forecast trends “so that it can use its enforcement and compliance assistance resources more efficiently.” Click here to see the entire article. 

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Present on Data Security to the New England Fuel Institute

Linn F. Freedman, chair of the Data Privacy + Security Team, presented at the 2016 New England Fuel Institute's VISIONS conference in Worcester, Massachusetts, on June 15. Her presentation, entitled "OH S#&%! Is My Company and Customer's Data Secure?," focused on the latest updates on compliance with state and federal data security laws, as well as current examples of data breaches, responses, and mitigation. The New England Fuel Institute (NEFI) is a nationally recognized organization of over 1,100 independent Oilheat, propane, biofuel and motor fuel dealers and associated companies. 

Alex Judd Elected Secretary of CBA's Energy, Public Utility, and Communications Law Section

The Connecticut Bar Association's Energy, Public Utility, and Communications Law Section recently elected Alexander W. Judd to the position of secretary. The section consists of over 110 members and seeks to promote the educational and professional objectives of the Connecticut Bar Association within the general fields of energy, utility, and communications law. Specifically, it offers its members a forum for discussion and an exchange of ideas relating to energy, utility, and telecommunications law; educates the bar and the public on energy, utility, and telecommunications matters; and works to improve the public utility regulatory process.

Chambers USA Recognizes Robinson+Cole Lawyers and Practice Groups

Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence Appoints Robinson+Cole Lawyer to Board of Directors

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Honored for Pro Bono Service

Robinson+Cole's commitment to providing pro bono services is a long-standing tradition, and recently three lawyers were honored for their work on pro bono cases. Peter A. Dagostine and Susan N. Masters were recognized by the Pro Bono Partnership as Volunteers of the Year for 2015 at a reception on April 26, 2016, and Peter R. Knight was one of the Connecticut Bar Association's Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award recipients and honored at the CBA's annual awards celebration on April 14, 2016.  

Peter Knight and Megan Baroni Conduct ABA Roundtable on CERCLA Consent Decrees

Environmental partners Peter R. Knight and Megan E. Baroni hosted a roundtable discussion on CERCLA consent decrees on February 17, 2016. Sponsored by the ABA's Environmental Litigation Committee, the event featured key stakeholders from the closely watched Arizona v. City of Tucson case. In this case, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed the level of deference afforded to a trial court when reviewing a consent decree negotiated by a state agency as opposed to the EPA. The issue is critically important to potentially responsible parties (PRPs) attempting to resolve their liability at a state-led remediation site, particularly early in the case. The roundtable, which Mr. Knight moderated, included lead attorneys for the State of Arizona, the group of settling PRPs, and the nonsettling parties who challenged the de minimis settlements.

Robinson+Cole Forms Sustainability Cross-Practice Team

Robinson+Cole announced today that lawyers from a variety of its practice areas have formally come together to form an interdisciplinary Sustainability Group. Comprised of lawyers with deep experience and a history of collaborating to handle sustainability issues related to energy, environmental, tax, intellectual property, real estate, finance, mergers and acquisitions, and construction matters, the team is positioned to offer clients a comprehensive approach to incorporating sustainable designs and practices into their business.

The lawyers in the group routinely counsel clients on addressing sustainable practices such as using renewable and alternative energy, recycling and conserving water and other resources, financing green initiatives, following LEED and green construction practices, implementing corporate sustainability programs, managing climate change risks through adaptation and mitigation, and establishing clean-tech ventures.

Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners and Counsel

Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce the election of four new partners and the promotion of two associates to counsel, effective January 1, 2016. The new partners are Adam Anderson, Megan E. Baroni, Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, and April F. Condon. The new counsel are Alaine C. Doolan and Michele L. Maresca.
"These six lawyers have made significant contributions to our clients and to our firm's successes and it is a pleasure to congratulate them on their well-deserved promotions," said John B. Lynch Jr., managing partner. "They provide exceptional service and value to our clients and offer a deep knowledge in their respective legal fields."

Jim Ray and Megan Baroni Co-author Article for Environmental Litigation

James P. Ray and Megan E. Baroni co-wrote the article "Emhart v. United States: Another Failed Attempt to Prove Divisibility under CERCLA." Appearing in the Fall 2015 issue of Environmental Litigation, a publication of the ABA's Section of Litigation, the article examines the Rhode Island District Court decision that found Emhart Industries liable for past and future response costs at the Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund Site  in North Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Ray and Ms. Baroni discuss the litigation, Emhart's liability, and the issue of divisibility. Please click here to read the full  article.

Ms. Baroni, Mr. Ray, and John F. X. Peloso, Jr. represented New England Container Company in the Centredale Manor litigation, which settled its liability in the case just before trial.

George Watson Presents at EPOC ELUR Seminar

Environmental and utilities lawyer George W. Watson III, in a repeat presentation of an earlier session in April 2015, spoke at the "Environmental Land Use Restrictions – Advanced Case Studies" seminar on October 15, 2015, in Berlin, Connecticut. This advanced course program was developed by the Environmental Professionals' Organization of Connecticut (EPOC) and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Panelists and presenters used case studies to review legal issues, components, and planning for Environmental Land Use Restrictions (ELURs). The studies included two Harbor Park locations in Stamford, Connecticut: 845 Canal Street, a circa 1960 warehouse-type building rehabilitated into office and commercial spaces, and the historic Yale & Towne Manufacturing site that was redeveloped into a multiple building development with office, retail, and luxury condominiums.

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Publish Articles in Connecticut Law Tribune's Connecticut Supreme Court Section

Business litigation lawyers Jeffrey J. White and Kathleen E. Dion, land use lawyer Dwight H. Merriam, and environmental and utilities lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott wrote articles for the 2015 Supreme Court Year in Review, a special section of the Connecticut Law Tribune, published on September 14, 2015.

In the article "Administrative Procedures Are Focus of Insurance Case," co-authors Mr. White and Ms. Dion discuss Connecticut Supreme Court decisions regarding the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, the Uniform Partnership Act, and the Fair Employment Practices Act, all of which affect the business community. For a detailed analysis, please click here to view the article.

In the article "Nibbling Around the Edges of Perennial Issues," Mr. Merriam writes that, although there were some important land use cases in the Supreme Court this year, some interesting ones nibbled "around the edges of several perennial issues." These key cases addressed aggrievement questions and zoning variances. For the full article, please click here.

In the article "Rulings Put Limits on State Regulators and Intervenors," Ms. Scott analyzes two cases that interpret the extent of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) authority and the extent of intervention under Connecticut's Environmental Protection Act. Tilcon Connecticut v. Commission of Environmental Protection concerns DEEP's authority and Hunter Ridge v. Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Newtown addresses intervention under Connecticut's Environmental Protection Act. For her full interpretation, click here to see the article.

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

A total of 54 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2015. The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.
In addition, 21 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” Read an explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology here. See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

Robinson+Cole Welcomes 10 New Lawyers

Robinson+Cole welcomes 10 new lawyers who joined
the firm over the course of the summer, in offices in Connecticut,
Massachusetts, New York, and Florida. The lawyers bring additional breadth to a variety of our practices, including business transactions, environmental and utilities, finance, insurance, labor and employment, litigation, real estate, nonprofit organizations, and trusts and estates. Additionally, the firm is pleased to welcome two recent law school graduates. Read about our new lawyers here.

Peter Lacouture Edits Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries for 11th Year

The American Bar Association's Section of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law has published its annual report, Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries – 2015, edited by environmental and utilities partner Peter V. Lacouture. Mr. Lacouture, who was recently elected vice chair of the section, is chair of the section's Publications Committee and has edited the report since 2005. The report outlines judicial decisions, administrative rulings, and legislative actions in public utility, communications, and transportation industries through March 31, 2015, and a few major developments since that date. Each member of the section receives the 450-page volume. George W. Watson III, environmental and utilities lawyer, and Sharon Onga-Nana, the 2015 National Grid/Robinson+Cole summer fellow, assisted Mr. Lacouture in editing the report. In his introduction, Mr. Lacouture recognizes Providence LAAs Brenda Vucci and Heidi Seddon for their help on the book.

Peter Lacouture Elected Vice-Chair of PUCAT

During the American Bar Association's Annual Meeting in Chicago in August 2015, environmental and utilities partner Peter V. Lacouture was elected vice-chair of the Section of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law (PUCAT). He will serve as vice-chair this year, as chair-elect the next year, and as chair of the section the year after that. Most recently, Mr. Lacouture served as secretary of the section. He has also served as chair of PUCAT's Publications Committee and has edited Recent Developments (formerly the PUCAT Annual Report) since 2005.

Established in 1917, the section is a forum for bar members interested in the rapidly changing legal environment in the communications, cable TV, Internet, electricity, gas, oil pipelines, aviation, motor carriers, railroads, and water industries.

Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016

Robinson+Cole was again recognized as having the highest number of Connecticut lawyers selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016 (Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Across the firm’s practice groups and offices, 55 lawyers were named to this year’s list, including 45 in Connecticut.

Additionally, the following seven lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Bruce B. Barth in Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Dennis C. Cavanaugh in Litigation – Construction; Stephen E. Goldman in Insurance Law; Joey Lee Miranda in Environmental Law; Craig A. Raabe in Litigation – Intellectual Property; Edward J. Samorajczyk, Jr., in Securities / Capital Markets Law; and William T. Sellay in Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Peter V. Lacouture was named the Best Lawyers® 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” in Energy Law in Providence, Rhode Island.

See a complete listing of all Robinson+Cole's ranked lawyers in the news release.

Brian Freeman and Megan Baroni Co-author Article for Environmental Litigation

Environmental lawyers Brian C. Freeman and Megan E. Baroni co-wrote the article "Sediment Update: A Summary of the Procedural Status of a Collection of Sites." The article appears in the Summer 2015 issue of Environmental Litigation, a newsletter of the ABA's Section of Litigation. Along with Mark Myers and Drew Pearsall, lawyers from the Seattle, Washington, office of Williams Kastner, Mr. Freeman and Ms. Baroni outline the procedural status of key sediment sites around the country: the Duwamish River, south of Seattle; Portland Harbor, in Portland, Oregon; the Passaic River, in New Jersey; the Woonasquatucket River, as part of the Centredale Manor Restoration Project in North Providence, Rhode Island; and Newtown Creek, the border between Brooklyn and Queens. The authors conclude that sediment sites are among the most complex and costly sites on the National Priorities List. To find out more, click here to view the article.

Robinson+Cole Lawyer Named One of Fairfield County Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”

Alex Judd Writes Article on Regulation of Cellular Telecommunications Facilities for The Urban Lawyer

Hartford energy and utilities lawyer Alexander W. Judd wrote the article "What Once Was Old Is New Again: Recent Developments in Judicial Review of Land Use Regulation of Cellular Telecommunications Facilities," which appeared in the recently published Fall 2014 issue of The Urban Lawyer, a publication of the American Bar Association. Mr. Judd discusses recent court cases involving the Telecommunications Act of 1996, including the circuit court split leading up to a 2015 Supreme Court decision. In the context of guidance issued by the Federal Communications Commission in October 2014, Mr. Judd addresses new developments with court interpretations of Section 6409 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. To find out more, please click here to view the entire article.

Mr. Judd represents clients in energy, utilities, and telecommunications law.

Robinson+Cole Lawyer Elected to Connecticut Forest & Park Association Board of Directors

Earl Phillips Has Been Elected to Co-chair the American Bar Association's Waste and Resource Recovery Committee

Environmental lawyer Earl W. Phillips, Jr., has been elected to a leadership position in the ABA's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER). He will serve as co-chair of the Waste and Resource Recovery Committee. The committee is focused on waste, recycling, beneficial reuse, and resource recovery. Its members come from a variety of backgrounds, including lawyers in private practice, in-house counsel, trade association counsel, nonprofit lawyers, and government lawyers.

Mr. Phillips is chair of Robinson+Cole's Environmental + Utilities Group and practices environmental, natural resource, and energy law. He is also a visiting scholar and adjunct professor of Environmental Law and Policy at Wesleyan University.  

Joey Lee Miranda Co-Hosts and Participates in NEECE

Joey Lee Miranda, environmental and utilities lawyer in the Hartford office, co-hosted the 22nd Annual New England Energy Conference and Exposition (NEECE) in her role as president of the Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES), a presenter of the conference. Held in Groton, Connecticut, from May 12-13, 2015, the event explored pressing energy issues affecting New England, including energy reliability, retail choice, infrastructure, financing, and environmental impact.

In addition, Ms. Miranda moderated the conference session "State Policies and Energy Markets: Collaborative Efforts or Collision Course." The panelists included Marion Gold, commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources; Sarah Hofmann, commissioner of the Vermont Public Service Board; J. T. McLean, commissioner of the Maine Public Utilities Commission; and Ned Bartlett, undersecretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Robinson+Cole Earns Six Practice Area Rankings in Chambers USA 2015

The legal directory Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized Robinson+Cole in six practice area categories in its 2015 edition and has individually recognized 19 of the firm's lawyers, including one lawyer recognized nationwide.

Robinson+Cole earned rankings in each of the practice areas that Chambers USA covers in Connecticut: Corporate/M&A, Environment, Healthcare, Labor &Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, and Real Estate.

See the Robinson+Cole lawyers included in Chambers USA 2015 in the full news release.

Environmental and Utility Lawyers Participate in ABA Cell Tower Webinar

Kenneth C. Baldwin and Alexander W. Judd, environmental and utility lawyers in the Hartford office, participated in the webinar "T-Mobile South v. City of Roswell and Other Recent Developments in Cell Tower Siting," sponsored by the State and Local Government Law Section of the ABA, on May 7, 2015. Mr. Baldwin moderated the program and Mr. Judd served as a panelist, along with City of Roswell officials. Panelists focused on the recent U.S. Supreme Court's decision in T-Mobile South v. City of Roswell, specifically addressing the following: recent developments in cell tower siting, including a 2014 Report and Order issued by the FCC; the legal landscape of siting cell towers and the circuit court split leading up to T-Mobile South v. City of Roswell; and other considerations local governments must use when evaluating cell tower applications.

George Watson Presents at EPOC Environmental Land Use Restrictions Seminar

Environmental and utilities lawyer George W. Watson III spoke at the "Environmental Land Use Restrictions – Advanced Case Studies" seminar on April 9, 2015, in Berlin, Connecticut. This advanced course program was developed by the Environmental Professionals' Organization of Connecticut (EPOC) and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Panelists and presenters used case studies to review legal issues, components, and planning for Environmental Land Use Restrictions (ELURs). The studies included two Harbor Park locations in Stamford, Connecticut: 845 Canal Street, a circa 1960 warehouse-type building rehabilitated into office and commercial spaces, and the historic Yale & Towne Manufacturing site redeveloped into a multiple building development with office, retail, and luxury condominiums.

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Publish Articles for Special Edition of Connecticut Law Tribune

Environmental and utilities lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott and land use lawyers Evan J. Seeman and Dwight H. Merriam, all resident in the firm's Hartford office, each wrote articles for a special edition of the Connecticut Law Tribune, entitled Land Use, Title Insurance & Environmental Law, published on March 23, 2015.

Ms. Scott, author of "Is the Chemistry Right for Chemical Safety Reform," examines a bill introduced in the Senate to provide a systematic evaluation of chemical substances. The bill, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, would significantly change the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the main federal statute that addresses the safety of chemicals in commerce. Click here to view the article.

Mr. Seeman, co-author of the blog RLUIPA Defense, addresses in his article "Finding Salvation in Religious Law's Safe Harbor" how local governments can utilize an infrequently used provision of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)—known as the "safe harbor" provision—to take corrective action to attempt to mitigate liability under the statute. Click here to view the article.

In the article "New Land Use Enabling Legislation Needed," Mr. Merriam discusses the need for a complete rewrite of Connecticut's land use enabling legislation, which is based on laws enacted 90 years ago. He writes that updating the legislation would "benefit government, landowners, developers, businesses, neighbors, advocacy organizations, conservation groups, and generations not yet born." Click here to view the article.

Alexander Judd Elected to Hartford Preservation Alliance Board of Directors

The Hartford Preservation Alliance (HPA) has elected Robinson+Cole lawyer Alexander W. Judd to its board of directors. The mission of HPA is to revitalize the historic fabric of Hartford, connect its citizens to the city's heritage, and collaborate to impact community economic development. 

Mr. Judd is a member of Robinson+Cole's Environmental and Utilities Group, representing clients in the areas of energy, utilities, and telecommunications law. While attending the University of Connecticut School of Law, he received the CALI Award for Excellence for Renewable Energy and Green Building, International Environmental Law, Land Use, and Historic Preservation Law and Public Policy.

Richard Smith Speaks on Offshore Aquaculture Permitting

Environmental lawyer W. Richard Smith spoke on the permitting challenges for offshore marine aquaculture facilities at the Aquaculture America 2015 meeting in New Orleans on February 21, 2015. The presentation was part of the Regulatory Barriers and Opportunities Session of the meeting and reviewed the advances and limitations of federal efforts to authorize large-scale fish production in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The discussion included a review of the proposed Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council regulations now under consideration by NOAA at the Department of Commerce.

Environmental and Utilities Lawyers Plan HRSC Presentation

Environmental + Utilities Group partners Richard Smith and Christopher Foster organized a presentation that explored the environmental investigation technique known as High Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC). The session, held on December 4, 2014, was presented on location in our Hartford and Boston offices as well as via webinar. Mr. Smith introduced the speakers, Gordon T. Brookman, senior vice president at GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., and Richard J. Desrosiers, a technical consultant at GZA.

The goal of HRSC is to improve certainty regarding geologic conditions and clean versus contaminated zones. These refined understandings of the subsurface and contaminant transport can lead to the development of cost-effective and more "surgical" remedial design.

Alex Judd Elected to CBA Leadership Position

The Connecticut Bar Association's Energy, Public Utility, and Communications Law Section recently elected Alexander W. Judd to the position of treasurer. The section consists of 85 members and seeks to promote the educational and professional objectives of the Connecticut Bar Association within the general fields of energy, utility, and communications law. Specifically, it offers its members a forum for discussion and an exchange of ideas relating to energy, utility, and telecommunications law; educates the bar and the public on energy, utility, and telecommunications matters; and works to improve the public utility regulatory process.

Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners and Counsel

Hartford Lawyers Address Climate Change Regulations in Connecticut Law Tribune article

Brian C. Freeman and Alexander W. Judd, environmental and utilities lawyers in the Hartford office, wrote the article "EPA Proposal Raises Concerns About Electricity Supply" for the most recent issue of the Connecticut Law Tribune, published on November 10, 2014. In the article, Mr. Freeman and Mr. Judd discuss recently proposed rules by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants to roughly 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Using the proposed rules as the most recent example, the article analyzes the impact of the EPA's actions on regional access to reliable power and the potential effects on electricity prices.

Pam Elkow Pens Article for ABA Environmental Publication

Pamela K. Elkow, environmental lawyer in the Stamford office, wrote the article "Transactions Involving Bankruptcy: Avoiding the (Dis)Stress" for the Fall 2014 issue of Natural Resources & Environment, a publication of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources. As an environmental lawyer, Ms. Elkow has worked on an increasing number of bankruptcy deals, which involve last-minute requests to review Phase I site assessments or environmental indemnities or to obtain environmental liability insurance, making these deals complex in nature. In the article, Ms. Elkow discusses the challenges of bankruptcy deals and offers strategies to deal with these challenges.

Hartford Lawyers Co-author Connecticut Law Tribune Article

Robinson+Cole lawyers Candace M. Cunningham and Emilee Mooney Scott recently published the article "Fresh Lessons About Wetlands, Permits and Appeals" in the Connecticut Law Tribune. In the article, Ms. Cunningham and Ms. Scott review the ramifications of Connecticut high court rulings on environmental, real estate, and land use law. Specifically, they cover cases involving special permits, option contracts, and guarantor obligations, among others.

Ms. Cunningham is a real estate lawyer and Ms. Scott is an environmental and utilities lawyer.

Peter Lacouture Edits Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries for 10th Year

The American Bar Association's Section of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law has published its annual report, Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries – 2014, edited by environmental and utilities partner Peter V. Lacouture. Mr. Lacouture is chair of the section's Publications Committee and has edited the report since 2005. The report outlines judicial decisions, administrative rulings, and legislative actions in public utility, communications, and transportation industries through March 31, 2014, and a few major developments since that date. Each member of the section receives the 550-page volume. George W. Watson III, environmental and utilities lawyer, and Jorge Ghazal, the 2014 National Grid/Robinson+Cole summer fellow, assisted Mr. Lacouture in editing the report.

Joey Lee Miranda Moderates CBIA/CPES Energy Panel, Co-authors ABA Article

Energy and utilities lawyer Joey Lee Miranda participated in What's the Deal 2014 21st Century Business Energy Conference on October 8, 2014, sponsored by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) and the Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES). Held in Cromwell, Connecticut, the conference featured experts in energy technology, infrastructure, politics, and regulatory issues. Ms. Miranda moderated the session "Developments in Energy Infrastructure," which included panelists Heather Hunt, Executive Director of New England States Committee on Electricity; Bryan T. Garcia, President and CEO of Connecticut Green Bank; Kevin R. Hennessy, Director of Federal, State & Local Affairs for New England, Dominion Resources, Inc.; and James G. Daly, Vice President of Energy Supply, Northeast Utilities.

In addition, Ms. Miranda co-authored a chapter in the annual publication Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries (August 2014), an ABA publication of the Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law Section. In the chapter "Renewable Energy," she, along with Emily C. Deans, wrote the Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont portions of the Survey of State Renewable Portfolio Standards.

Robinson+Cole Welcomes New Lawyers

Robinson+Cole continues to expand its lawyer roster with the addition of five new associates across its practice areas. The lawyers join the firm's Hartford, Stamford, and New York offices and their arrival corresponds with that of Leslie J. Levinson, who, as previously announced, joined the firm as a partner and co-chair of Robinson+Cole's Transactional Health Law Group in the firm's Metro New York offices.

"The arrival of these associates strengthens Robinson+Cole's practice groups, allowing the firm to more effectively and completely serve clients throughout our reach," said Joey Lee Miranda, partner in the Environmental + Utilities Group and chair of the firm's Hiring Committee. "We are very pleased to have them on board and bring their experiences to our teams and our clients."

Hartford Lawyer to Chair ABA SEER Committee

Environmental and utilities lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott has been appointed to chair the Special Committee on Young Lawyers of the ABA's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) for the 2014–2015 year. In this position, Ms. Scott will work to increase young lawyer membership in SEER and to help young lawyers find participation opportunities within the section. Last year she was the committee's vice chair for education.
 
In addition, Ms. Scott has been selected to participate in the ABA's Leadership Development Program (LDP) for 2014–2015. The LDP supports members of SEER in broadening current leadership roles and preparing for future ones. The focus of the program is for participants to increase awareness of the section's operations and available leadership opportunities.

Robinson+Cole Announces Annual Community Service and Pro Bono Awards

Robinson+Cole recognized four lawyers for their initiative and outstanding dedication to the community at a reception, celebrating the firm’s summer legal intern program, on August 7, 2014. Managing partner John B. Lynch Jr. announced the Community Service Awards, which went to Thomas P. Cody and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, while pro bono partner Edward J. Heath presented the firm’s Pro Bono Awards, which went to Peter R. Knight and Evan J. Seeman. Read more about the honorees and their work in the press release here.

Robinson+Cole Launches HigherEdWire – News for legal counsel

Robinson+Cole's Education Law Group has launched a LinkedIn Group as a forum for discussions on news and legal developments affecting institutions of higher education. The group, HigherEdWire – News for legal counsel, can be found at http://www.linkedin.com/groups/HigherEdWire-News-legal-counsel-7464519.

"Colleges and universities face legal issues in a variety of areas that continually change," said Megan R. Naughton, co-chair of the firm's Immigration Group. "Our education team monitors the pressing developments faced by educational institutions, and we wanted to create a source to share those updates on developing stories and trends that also encourages dialogue with those in the industry. LinkedIn provides that platform."

Hartford Lawyer Selected to Chair ABA Telecommunications and Land Use Subcommittee

The chair of the American Bar Association's Section of State and Local Government Law has selected environmental and utilities lawyer Alexander W. Judd to chair the Telecommunications and Land Use Planning Subcommittee of the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee. The ABA's Section of State and Local Government Law has over 12,000 combined lawyer and student members. The Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee focuses on current developments in the field of planning, zoning, and land use.

Robinson+Cole Earns Rankings in Chambers USA 2014 in all Connecticut Practice Areas

The legal directory Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized Robinson+Cole in six practice area categories in its 2014 edition and has individually recognized 21 of the firm's lawyers, including three labor and employment lawyers who are ranked for the first time, one as an "Associate to Watch."  

Adding the Labor & Employment ranking this year gives Robinson+Cole rankings in all the practice areas that Chambers USA covers in Connecticut: Corporate/M&A, Environment, Healthcare, Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, and Real Estate.

ABA's Section of Litigation Recognizes Megan Baroni for Outstanding Contributions

Environmental lawyer Megan E. Baroni was honored as an Outstanding Subcommittee Chair for the 2013-2014 bar year by the American Bar Association's (ABA) Section of Litigation in April 2014. Ms. Baroni's recognition reflects her hard work as co-chair of the Environmental Litigation Committee's Water Subcommittee, as well as her role in co-chairing the 2014 ABA Section of Litigation Joint CLE seminar, sponsored in part by the Environmental Litigation Committee. The Environmental Litigation Committee focuses on helping its members develop into better environmental litigators. 

Stamford Lawyer Co-chairs CLE Seminar for ABA's Section of Litigation

Environmental lawyer Megan E. Baroni recently co-chaired the Environmental, Mass Torts & Products Liability Litigation Committees' Joint CLE Seminar. Held in Avon, Colorado, from January 30 to February 1, 2014, this CLE program offered workshops to litigators involved in environmental, mass torts, and products liability matters. Presenters included in-house counsel, government employees, members of the judiciary, university professors and deans, experts, and plaintiffs and defense counsel. Session topics ranged from managing changes in the practice of law, keeping up with the evolving world of technology and its impact on data and communications management, remaining ethical in a technological and global legal marketplace, and identifying trends in litigation and cases that make it to trial, among other issues.

Ms. Baroni is a member of the Environmental Litigation Committee of the ABA's Section of Litigation.

Environmental and Utilities Lawyers Speak at MCTA Meeting

Environmental and Utilities Practice Group lawyer Emilee Mooney Scott spoke at the Board of Directors Meeting of Massachusetts Chemistry & Technology Alliance, Inc. (MCTA) on December 11, 2013. The presentation provided environmental and legal perspectives regarding corporate environmental and sustainability reporting, an issue that affects producers, suppliers, and downstream users of many consumer products. Member companies of MCTA include industries that manufacture, distribute, and use chemical technologies as well as the providers of professional and other services to those industries. Please click here to view their presentation.

Stamford Lawyer Authors Article for ABA's Environmental Litigation

Environmental lawyer Megan E. Baroni penned the article "How Water Connectivity May Be Used to Expand CWA Jurisdiction" for the Fall 2013 issue of Environmental Litigation, a newsletter published by the Section of Litigation's Environmental Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association (ABA). In the article, Ms. Baroni addresses a recent scientific report released by EPA titled Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence (Connectivity Report). The Connectivity Report, once finalized, will support a rulemaking by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers clarifying the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act.

Environmental Analyst Elected President of Connecticut Environmental Forum

Robinson & Cole Lawyers Promote Manufacturing Blog at SBANE's Prospectus 2013

Environmental, health, and safety lawyer Pamela K. Elkow and corporate compliance and litigation lawyer Jeffrey J. White exhibited Robinson & Cole's Manufacturing Law Blog at the Smaller Business Association of New England's (SBANE) Prospectus 2013 in Waltham, Massachusetts, on October 30, 2013. Prospectus 2013, an inaugural business-to-business networking event, showcased a specific New England industry—manufacturing—providing manufacturers with the opportunity to showcase their unique products and capabilities to prospective customers, vendors, and peers. With more than 100 exhibiting companies and 400 attendees, Prospectus 2013 was a great opportunity to introduce the Manufacturing Law Blog to many New England manufacturers.

Robinson & Cole Receives 34 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Three National Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers Survey

Super Lawyers® Names 61 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2013 List

Stamford Lawyer Appointed to Connecticut House Task Force

Environmental Lawyer Speaks at Global Shipping Conference in China

Connecticut Bar Association Recognizes Eric Lukingbeal with Clyde O. Fisher Award

The Connecticut Bar Association's Environmental Law Section has honored Robinson & Cole environmental lawyer Eric Lukingbeal with its Clyde O. Fisher Award. The award recognizes individuals or entities who have made significant contributions to the preservation or enhancement of environmental quality through work in the field of environmental law, environmental protection, or environmental planning. Mr. Lukingbeal received the award at the CBA's Environmental Law Section Meeting on September 12, 2013.

Peter Lacouture Edits ABA's Public Utility, Communications, and Transportation Law Annual Report for Ninth Year

The American Bar Association's Section of Public Utility, Communications, and Transportation Law has published its annual report, Recent Developments in Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Industries – 2013, edited by environmental and utilities lawyer Peter V. Lacouture. Mr. Lacouture is chair of the section's Publications Committee and has edited the report since 2005. The report outlines judicial decisions, administrative rulings, and legislative actions in public utility, communications, and transportation industries through March 31, 2013, and a few major developments since that date. Environment and utilities lawyer George W. Watson III and Dana Weiner, the 2013 National Grid-Robinson & Cole Summer Fellow, assisted Mr. Lacouture in editing the report.

Robinson & Cole Announces Annual Pro Bono, Mentor, and Community Service Awards

Robinson & Cole Lawyer Featured Volunteer in The First Tee of Connecticut

Mr. Baldwin has been instrumental in shaping the progress of the TPC's new practice facility, the four-hole Karl Krapek Family Learning Links, and, more recently, the Geri Epstein Learning Center building. The Featured Volunteer article states that "[s]ince our inception, Robinson and Cole has provided unwavering support of our efforts, and Ken Baldwin's personal commitment to the game, its values and the future of The First Tee of Connecticut has helped us move ever closer to fulfilling the dream."

Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

Robinson & Cole was again recognized as having the highest number of attorneys in Connecticut selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2014 (Copyright 2013 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). Across the firm's practice groups and offices, 56 attorneys were named to this year's list, including 48 in Connecticut and 2 who received the distinction for the first time.

Additionally, three lawyers were named "Lawyer of the Year" for 2014. Judith M. Keppelman was named Hartford Trusts and Estates "Lawyer of the Year," Dwight H. Merriam was named Hartford Litigation - Real Estate "Lawyer of the Year," and James A. Wade was named Hartford Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year."

Robinson & Cole Lawyers Featured in Scrap Magazine

Environmental lawyers Earl W. Phillips Jr and Megan E. Baroni co-authored the article "Old Refrigerant Regulations, New Interpretations," published in the July/August publication of Scrap magazine. The article discusses the impact of the EPA raising its compliance expectations regarding refrigerant regulations and how scrap recyclers must do more to meet the requirements. As a result, the authors stress that recyclers need to review their internal processes and document how their policies comply with the Clean Air Act.

Also in this publication is the article "ISRI 2013 Convention Highlights," featuring Mr. Phillips and Mr. Fil, who were presenters at the ISRI Convention and Exposition, held from April 9 to April 13, 2013, in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Phillips describes the three main approaches needed to perform environmental valuations: market approach comparables, cost approach weighing replacement costs, and income approach. Mr. Fil advises sellers to conduct a full audit of their company's physical operations, noting that ambiguity surrounding environment issues is a negative.

Jonathan Schaefer Joins Bushnell Park Board of Directors

Pam Elkow Assists Massachusetts Solar Cell Manufacturer in Overcoming Legal Barriers

The details of the company's rise were featured in the article "Best in RE: Industrial/Flex Use – 112 Barnam," published on May 24, 2013, in the Boston Business Journal.

Megan Baroni Selected for Leadership Fairfield County Program

Chambers USA Ranks Robinson & Cole in Five Practices, Names 17 Attorneys as Leading Lawyers

The legal directory Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized Robinson & Cole in five practice area categories in its 2013 edition and has individually recognized 17 of the firm's lawyers, including two who are ranked for the first time.
 

Providence Lawyer Edits Book for ABA's PUCAT Section

The American Bar Association's Section of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law (PUCAT) has published Energy, Utility, Transportation and Environmental Law for the 21st Century: A Collection. This book, an anthology of articles from the section's quarterly publication, Infrastructure, was edited by Providence environmental and utilities lawyer Peter V. Lacouture and includes introductions he wrote for each of the six sections and updates to most of the articles written by the original authors.

In his Forward, Mr. Lacouture acknowledges significant assistance from Leticia Tavares, the 2012 National Grid/Robinson & Cole Fellow. He also thanked Dwight Merriam for the inspiration for the anthology but noted that it was "not as easy a task to assemble the volume as Dwight made it out to be." To view details about the book, click here.

Joey Lee Miranda Represents Connecticut's First Commercial, Utility Scale Solar Project

Hartford Lawyers Participate in Energy, Environment, and Economic Development Conference

Robinson & Cole Lawyers Selected as James W. Cooper Fellows of the Connecticut Bar Foundation

The Connecticut Bar Foundation has elected Robinson & Cole lawyers Dennis C. Cavanaugh, Steven L. Elbaum, Gregory R. Faulkner, Christopher J. Hug, Eric Lukingbeal, Earl W. Phillips Jr., and Brian R. Smith as Fellows to the James W. Cooper Fellows Program. The program honors leaders in the legal profession and the judiciary in Connecticut. Membership in the Fellows is by invitation only. The program promotes a better understanding of the legal profession and the judicial system and explores ways to improve the profession and the administration of justice in Connecticut. The Fellows Program has approximately 850 to 900 members.

Megan Baroni Authors Article Published on ABA Website

Environmental attorney Megan E. Baroni authored the article "Transfer of Polluted Water Not Discharge under CWA," published on the ABA Section of Litigation, Environmental Litigation Committee, website. The article examines the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of a Ninth Circuit decision concerning the transfer of polluted water from an improved portion of a body of water to and unimproved portion of a body of water.

Peter Knight Authors Chapter on Environmental Class Actions

Environmental litigation attorney Peter R. Knight co-authored a chapter in the book "Litigating Environmental Class Actions: Leading Lawyers on Successfully Guiding Clients Through Multi-Party Environmental Cases," as part of the Inside the Minds series published by Thomson Reuters. The chapter, titled "Certifying Environmental Class Actions After Walmart v. Dukes," analyzes the implications for class certification in environmental and toxic tort cases following the Supreme Court's Walmart decision, which clarifies the degree of proof required to meet certification standards.

Earl Phillips and Sorell Negro Discuss Shale Development for American Planning Association Webinar

Pamela Elkow Featured in Inaugural Issue of New Environmental Magazine

Robinson & Cole Receives 32 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in U.S.News - Best Lawyers Survey

Super Lawyers® Names 49 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2012 List and Recognizes 26 as Rising Stars

A total of 49 Robinson & Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island for 2012. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

In addition, 26 attorneys at the firm were recognized as "Rising Stars." Read an explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology here.

Recognized attorneys and their areas of practice can be read in the full press release.

Ten Robinson & Cole Attorneys Selected as “Lawyers of the Year”

• Bruce B. Barth, Hartford Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year
• Dennis C. Cavanaugh, Hartford Litigation - Construction Lawyer of the Year
• Michael R. Enright, Hartford Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year
• Richard A. Krantz, Stamford Securities Regulation Lawyer of the Year
• Dwight H. Merriam, Hartford Litigation - Land Use & Zoning Lawyer of the Year
• Earl W. Phillips, Jr., Hartford Environmental Law Lawyer of the Year
• Kathleen M. Porter, Boston Information Technology Law Lawyer of the Year
• Norman H. Roos, Hartford Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year
• Robert H. Smith, Jr., Hartford Litigation - Trusts & Estates Lawyer of the Year
• James A. Wade, Hartford Litigation - Antitrust Lawyer of the Year

Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

Robinson & Cole LLP was again recognized as having the highest number of attorneys in Connecticut selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013 (© 2012 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). Across the firm's practice groups and offices, 55 attorneys were named to this year's list, including 46 in Connecticut and 10 who received the distinction for the first time.

Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 4.4 million confidential evaluations are submitted by attorneys on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Additional information regarding the Best Lawyers selection methodology may be read here. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers "the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice."

Energy and Utilities Partner to Lead American Bar Association’s Energy and Environmental Markets and Finance Committee

Robinson & Cole Attorney Joey Lee Miranda Joins Lawyers for Children America’s Board of Directors

Quinnipiac University Law School Profiles Joey Lee Miranda

Rhode Island Bar Association Honors Peter V. Lacouture with the Ralph P. Semonoff Award for Professionalism

Environmental and utilities partner Peter V. Lacouture was recognized by the Rhode Island Bar Association (RIBA) as the 2012 recipient of the Ralph P. Semonoff Award for Professionalism. This award was named for Ralph P. Semonoff, late president of the RIBA, who left a legacy of the law as a high calling, of justice as a defendable right, and of public service as the beacon of a life's work.

This award, which honors a member the Rhode Island Bar who has demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism in their career through ethical and personal conduct, commitment, and activities, was presented to Mr. Lacouture at the RIBA's annual meeting on June 14, 2012.

Chambers USA Ranks Robinson & Cole in Five Practices, Names 16 Attorneys as Leading Lawyers

Robinson & Cole LLP announced today that the legal directory Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized the firm in five practice area categories in its 2012 edition and has individually recognized 16 of the firm's attorneys.

Environmental Attorneys Discuss Siting, Moving and Expanding Operations at Scrap Metal Convention

Environmental partner Earl W. Phillips Jr. participated in the panel discussion “Meeting the Challenges in Siting, Moving or Expanding Operations” at the 2012 ISRI Convention and Exposition April 17 in Las Vegas. Mr. Phillips was a panelist.

ISRI is the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. Approximately 6,400 recycling industry professionals attend ISRI’s annual convention, which is the largest meeting of scrap recyclers in the world. The convention features equipment and service exhibits and over 40 general sessions, spotlights, and workshops.

Environmental and Utilities Lawyers Write About Supreme Court Decision on Clean Water Act

Robinson & Cole Among Largest Firms in Real Estate, Insurance and Environmental Law

Environmental Attorneys Offer Key Points for a Successful Property Transfer in Scrap Magazine

Environmental Partner Chairs ABA Panel on Environmental Class Actions

On January 21, environmental partner Peter R. Knight chaired a panel discussion on scientific issues associated with class certification at the ABA's Environmental, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committee's Joint CLE seminar in Hollywood, Florida. The panel focused on the impact of the Supreme Court's recent Dukes v. Walmart decision on certifying environmental class actions.

Environmental Attorney Writes Article on ‘Tri-State’ Water War

Partners Discuss Environmental Class Action Case at Boston Bar Association

Boston Attorneys Coach Students to “Stand Up for Your Rights”

For eight weeks, attorneys from Robinson & Cole’s Boston office, Kendra Berardi and Clive Martin, coached middle school students from the Epiphany School in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in the Discovering Justice program “Stand Up for Your Rights.” The program culminated on the evening of November 15, 2011, with teams of students, including ten from the Epiphany School, delivering oral arguments in the historic Oliver Wendell Holmes courtroom in the John Adams courthouse before Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court justices. The teams argued a hypothetical case in which a middle school student sues his school district after he is searched by the principal looking (unsuccessfully) for evidence of graffiti-writing. The students overcame their nervousness and unfamiliarity to deliver excellent arguments, which were then carefully and generously critiqued by the presiding judge, the Honorable Gary Katzmann of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Click to view a picture of the students, their teacher Dwight Simon, the two R&C coaches, and Judge Katzmann.

Environmental Partner Presents on Environmental Liabilities in Transactions

Governor Malloy Celebrates Company Robinson & Cole Helped Relocate to Connecticut

A team of Robinson & Cole lawyers from its real estate, environmental, tax and corporate practice groups helped Columbia Elevator obtain a $2 million loan from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to buy the property. The team, which included tax counsel Jack Shaughnessy, also helped Columbia Elevator apply for a $2 million urban sites grant from the DECD and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to remediate historic contamination on the property that was limiting its redevelopment. Robinson & Cole also assisted with a reverse 1031 sale of Columbia Elevator’s former facility in Port Chester, New York, and purchase of a facility in Kansas before acquiring the Bridgeport site. Mayor Finch’s office said the move will create 100 jobs over the next three to five years.

Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

Robinson & Cole LLP was again recognized as having the highest number of attorneys in Connecticut selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012 (© 2011 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). In addition, the firm achieved the distinction of being the top-listed firm with the most listed attorneys in the state in the areas of Environmental Law, Insurance Law, Litigation - Construction, and Litigation - Intellectual Property. The firm is also top-listed in Hartford, Connecticut, and in the areas of Corporate Law, Environmental Law, Litigation - Construction, and Trusts and Estates for the city.

Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 3.1 million confidential evaluations are submitted by attorneys on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers "the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice."

Reflexite Combines with ORAFOL to Create Leading Global Reflective Materials, Graphic Products, and Industrial Tapes Group

ORAFOL’s press release.

Attorneys Peter Knight and Ronald Zdrojeski Quoted in Connecticut Law Tribune

For additional information, please see "Supreme Court Rejects Nuisance Suits under Federal Law for Greenhouse Gas Emissions."

Environmental Partner on Panel Discussion about the New Economy in Fairfield and Westchester Counties

Attorney Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Story about Noncompete Agreement

Chambers USA Ranks Robinson & Cole in Six Practices, Names 12 Attorneys as Leading Lawyers

Robinson & Cole LLP announced today that the legal directory Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized the firm in six practice area categories in its 2011 edition; 12 of the firm's attorneys have been individually recognized.

Pamela Elkow Examines Legal Issues in Resurrecting Brownfields

Megan Baroni Edits Book on the Legalities of Water Resources

In addition to editing the book, Ms. Baroni also wrote the book’s preface and chapter titled “Pricing Strategies to Manage Water Demand.”

The book is both a resource on current legal trends in water rights and a tool for developing effective water management strategies. It discusses these topics:

• Current trends in the two major legal regimes that govern water management: prior appropriation and riparianism


• The growing trend of watershed management in appropriation states on the regional and local levels


• The use of non-traditional tools, such as the Endangered Species Act, for controlling water resources


• The impact of climate change on water supplies, efforts to adapt to climate change in water conservation and land use planning


• Problems with water pricing and what needs to be done to fix it


• Exploration of real-world water management issues in different areas of the country, including the Great Lakes and Florida

Environmental and Utilities Practice Group Partner Participates in ABA Community Podcast

Todd Berman Congratulates Connecticut Environmental Forum Invention Convention Winners

Jaylyn Santana, a third-grader at Mary Hooker Magnet School in Hartford, created Recycling Tag, a twist on the traditional game of tag where students learn about recycling while engaging in physical activity. Emma Donohue, a fifth-grader at East Hampton Center School in East Hampton, created Solar Signs, street signs that light up at night with stored solar power, so they are easier to see. Christopher Wilson, a sixth-grader at Jack Jackter Intermediate School in Colchester, created the Pharmaceuta-Gone/Waterpure Filtration System. The system works like a PUR or Brita water filter but filters urine to remove pharmaceuticals that our bodies have not absorbed to stop the contaminants from entering the water system.

Environmental Attorney Speaks at Emerging and Environmental Claims Managers Association Conference

Pamela Elkow Presents Webinar About Vapor Intrusion

ExecSense, a publisher of webinars for business and legal executives, hosted the webinar.

Earl Phillips and Rich Smith Present at National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Convention

Environmental Attorneys Coauthor Article on Creating Sustainability Programs for Businesses

New York Times Article on Greenhouse Gas Quotes Brian Freeman

Environmental and Utilities Attorney Cochairs Seminar and Moderates Panel

Environmental and Utilities Group partner James P. Ray served as cochair of the American Bar Association (ABA) continuing legal education seminar cosponsored by the ABA litigation section’s environmental, mass torts, and products liability committees held January 27-29, 2011, in Snowmass, Colorado. He also moderated the in-house counsel panel “The New Normal – Litigation Management and Budgeting.”

View the ABA litigation section’s environmental, mass torts, and products liability committees’ seminar brochure.

Environmental Attorney Puts the Spotlight on Greenhouse Gas

Environmental Partner Elected Vice President of Connecticut Power & Energy Society Board

Joey Lee Miranda, a partner in the firm’s Environmental and Utilities Practice Group, was elected vice president of the Connecticut Power & Energy Society (CPES) for a two-year term on February 9, 2011. CPES is Connecticut’s leading association of energy professionals with a diverse membership, including traditional electric and natural gas utilities, competitive providers, and end users, and is dedicated to generating information, sharing ideas, and educating the State of Connecticut on energy. Ms. Miranda has served on the CPES board of directors since 2009.

Robinson & Cole Elects New Partners

Attorney Comments on Greenhouse Gas Developments

Environmental Attorney Weighs in on Green Standards

To read the full article, click here.

Attorneys Reelected to Connecticut Chapter Board

Finance attorney Patrick M. Birney was recently reelected to the board of directors for the Connecticut chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA). Robinson & Cole is the only member entity with more than one representative on the board. TMA is the only international nonprofit association dedicated to corporate renewal and turnaround management. TMA members are a community of turnaround and corporate renewal professionals who share a common interest in strengthening the economy through restoration of corporate value.

Robinson & Cole Elevates Six New Counsel

The law firm of Robinson & Cole LLP is pleased to announce the election of six new counsel: Cynthia R. Christie, Melissa M. Mack, John A. Poakeart, Elizabeth M. Smith, Melissa Sullivan, and Deborah A. Vennos.

Best Lawyers Names Five Robinson & Cole Attorneys as Lawyers of the Year, Most Chosen in the Hartford Community

• Stephen E. Goldman, Hartford Insurance Lawyer of the Year
• Edward J. Samorajczyk, Jr., Hartford Securities Lawyer of the Year
• W. Richard Smith, Jr., Hartford Environmental Lawyer of the Year
• Richard W. Tomeo, Hartford Tax Lawyer of the Year
• James A. Wade, Hartford Bet-the-Company Litigator of the Year

Real Estate and Environmental and Utilities Groups Team Up to Present Interactive Forum

Mr. Fil, partner in the Environmental and Utilities Group, presented “Key Issues and Strategies for Environmental Due Diligence and Contractual Provisions.”

Ms. Moynihan, partner in the Real Estate Group, examined “The New Climate: Green Leasing and Green Measures in Design/Construction Contracts,” highlighting owner, tenant, and contractor perspectives on the key terms and conditions in leases and construction contracts involving green buildings.

“Loan Modifications – Why Do It and What to Expect,” presented by Mr. Pascale, associate in the Real Estate Group, surveyed loan modifications from the lender’s perspective.

Environmental Attorney Examines Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations

Environmental and Utilities Attorney Joins Committee of National Association

Environmental and Utilities Attorney Examines Wind Power at National Conference

Environmental and Utilities Attorney Thinks Green

Joey Lee Miranda, a partner in the firm’s Environmental and Utilities Practice Group, spoke as part of the “Politics & Power: Legislative Update” panel at the Hartford Business Journal's 2010 Business Energy Summit on September 17, 2010. This was the fifth year for the summit, which helps Connecticut businesses capitalize on “green” trends and eco-friendly advancements. Bringing together key stakeholders and industry insiders, it provides insight and resources on how to run an energy-efficient business and provides strategies for local companies to cope with high energy costs.

Robinson & Cole LLP Receives Most Connecticut First-Tier Rankings in Inaugural U.S.News - Best Lawyers Survey

Earl Phillips Jr. Featured in the Connecticut Law Tribune’s “Gulf Lessons”

Robinson & Cole Attorney Joins Connecticut Science Center’s Programming Committee

Robinson & Cole Attorney Speaks at Construction Institute Series Program

Robinson & Cole Attorneys Author Chapter in Global Climate Change Special Pamphlet Series

Robinson & Cole Attorneys Elected to Board of Directors of Turnaround Management Association’s Connecticut Chapter

Environmental and Utilities partner Richard M. Fil and Finance and Bankruptcy counsel Patrick M. Birney were recently elected to the board of directors of the Connecticut chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA). It’s the only international nonprofit association dedicated to developing a stronger economy by restoring corporate value. TMA's Connecticut chapter membership is comprised of professionals from all segments of the corporate renewal industry, associates in government fields, academicians and students.

Robinson & Cole Attorney Elected Vice President of Broad-Park Board of Directors

Robinson & Cole Senior Analyst Featured in Connecticut Law Tribune Article

Books by Robinson & Cole LandLaw Partners on Best Seller List

Robinson & Cole Partner Edits Book on Electricity Law and Policy

Robinson & Cole Partner Named Cochair of New England Chapter, Federal Communications Bar Association

FCBA is a volunteer organization of attorneys, engineers, consultants, economists, government officials and law students involved in the study, development, interpretation and practice of communications and information technology law and policy.

Robinson & Cole Partner Elected Secretary of New England Women in Energy and the Environment

Robinson & Cole Attorney Elected Fairfield County Bar Foundation Vice President

Robinson & Cole's Sustainability and Climate Change Practice Group Releases Legal Update on First RGGI CO2 Auction

Robinson & Cole Attorneys Presents at Environment 2008 Conference