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Jeffrey R. Porter

Member
617.348.1711
vCard
Boston


Education

  • Cornell University (JD, 1988)
  • Bates College (BA, 1985)

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts

Jeff leads the firm’s Environmental Law Practice. He is also a member of the firm’s Policy Committee. For 23 years, he has advised clients regarding complex environmental regulatory compliance and permitting issues, including issues relating to air and water discharges and hazardous waste storage and disposal. In 2011 and 2012, the firm received the Acquisition International Legal Award for “US Environmental Law Firm of the Year.” The awards celebrate excellence and reward firms, teams and individuals for their contribution to client service, innovation and commitment to quality.

His extensive litigation and transactional experience provides him with unique insight, enabling him to deliver integrated legal, technical, and risk management solutions to the challenges facing owners of contaminated properties. His clients include the General Electric Company, Cargill Incorporated, and Colony Realty Partners, LLC.

Jeff serves on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee as the representative of Associated Industries of Massachusetts.

He was a close advisor to the chairs of the Massachusetts Legislature’s Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture during the drafting of the 1998 Brownfield legislation that has spurred the beneficial redevelopment of underutilized former industrial sites across the Commonwealth.

He is the author of countless articles and guest columns, and a frequent commentator in numerous publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Boston Business Journal, Banker and Tradesman, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and the New England Real Estate Journal.

He lives in Wayland, Massachusetts, with his wife, Jill, and their two children.

Representative Matters

  • Obtaining what may be the largest private party Superfund response cost recovery in Massachusetts history after filing a motion for summary judgment of the responsible party’s liability
  • Representing a pharmaceutical manufacturer in connection with the acquisition of a portion of a former military base for the construction of a large-scale biologics manufacturing facility
  • Obtaining a dismissal of contamination-related property damage claims made by the owner of an industrial property against its long-time tenant.
  • Successfully defending a client against a claim that it was responsible for contamination of a municipal water supply

Recognitions & Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America: Environmental Law, Litigation (2006 – 2013)
  • Chambers USA: Massachusetts (Band 1) – Environment (2004 – 2013)
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Environmental (2004 – 2012)
  • Who’s Who in American Law
  • Who’s Who in the World
  • Who’s Who in America
  • Guide to the World’s Leading Environmental Lawyers
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Chair, Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Nature Conservancy
  • Board member, Boston Harbor Island Alliance
  • Past vice chair and treasurer, Boston Harbor Island Alliance
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Member, Boston Bar Association