Jeff is one of only four environmental lawyers in the United States listed on the Forbes Top 200 Lawyers list. According to Forbes Jeff “is valued for his services to solve complex legal challenges.” Forbes isn’t alone. With over three decades of litigation and transactional experience, Jeff is widely recognized as one of the top environmental lawyers in the country. He has been ranked in Band 1 by Chambers USA for over 18 years.
Some of the largest global companies rely on Jeff’s insights and strategic guidance. Clients praise him as “the top environmental attorney you will find in Boston” and say his “judgment on sensitive political issues is invaluable.”
Jeff is Chair of the firm’s Environmental Law Practice. He is a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers and a member of the College’s Executive Committee. He is also a Massachusetts Environmental Trustee. Jeff is a Trustee of The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, having previously served as the Chair of The Nature Conservancy’s Trustee Council and as the Chair and Vice-Chair of The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts.
He was also the Chairman of Boston Harbor Now, and a member of the MassDevelopment Board of Directors.
Jeff was a member of Governor Healey’s and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll’s transition policy committee and also a member of Attorney General Campbell’s transition committee. He also advised the Massachusetts Legislature’s Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture during the drafting of the Brownfield legislation that has spurred the beneficial redevelopment of underutilized former industrial sites across the Commonwealth.
Jeff frequently writes on environmental law topics including Clean Water Act issues, coastal resilience, waterfront development, and PFAS liability.
Experience
- 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 General Electric in permitting and development of new waterfront global headquarters including interactions with city and state
- Representing a resort developer in connection with environmental and legal issues relating to the remediation and redevelopment of its waterfront site
- Representing owner of former urban rail yard in connection with its remediation and planned redevelopment, including interactions with the rail operator
- 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
viewpoints
Read Our Insights on Clean Water Act Issues
October 1, 2024 | Blog | By Jeff Porter
Read Our Insights on PFAS Issues
October 1, 2024 | Blog | By Jeff Porter
Read Our Insights on Waterfront Development Issues
October 1, 2024 | Blog | By Jeff Porter
Webinar Recording: PFAS, PFAS All Around: What's Next?
May 21, 2021 | Webinar | By Jeff Porter
Webinar Recording: Navigating the Muddy Waters of the Supreme Court's Maui Decision
February 11, 2021 | Webinar | By Jeff Porter
The Supreme Court’s Decision in County of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund – The Answer to the Yes or No Question is Maybe
April 23, 2020 | Blog | By Jeff Porter
SCOTUS Says Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right for Dusky Gopher Frog
November 29, 2018 | Blog | By Jeff Porter
Defining the Waters of the United States: Which Time Will Be the Charm?
November 2, 2018 | Article | By Jeff Porter
News & Press
Offshore Wind Projects at Risk Despite Wins in First Circuit
September 3, 2024
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter was quoted by Bloomberg Law in an article about litigation involving the Vineyard Wind project—the first commercially operational offshore wind project in the United States. The article raises that similar litigation could lead to death for certain projects due to the delays lawsuits are causing.
The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 184 Mintz Attorneys across 56 Practice Areas
August 15, 2024
187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
PFAS' Regulatory Scrutiny Here to Stay Despite Legal Challenges, Environmental Experts Say
August 14, 2024
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter recently spoke with The National Law Journal about regulatory scrutiny surrounding “forever chemicals” (PFAS), including the progress the EPA has made and the challenges it faces in the post-Chevron environment.
SCOTUS to Review EPA Wastewater Rules
June 25, 2024
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter was quoted by EHS Daily Advisor on the Supreme Court’s review of the City and County of San Francisco’s appeal of their Clean Water Act NPDES permit.
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke with the National Law Journal about the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent win, in which a federal district court rejected a challenge to the agency’s narrowed ‘waters of the United States’ definition.
Environmental Chair and Member Jeff Porter was quoted by Inside EPA on a recent ‘waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) rule.
Mintz announced today that 42 of its practices and 83 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms. Of those included in the guide, 18 attorneys and seven practice areas were awarded Chambers’ highest ranking, Band 1. The firm obtained new listings in three practice areas and 10 of its lawyers were recognized for the first time.
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter was featured in Inside EPA’s breaking news that the United States Supreme Court has decided to hear a third Clean Water Act case in just over four years.
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke to Inside EPA on San Francisco urging the Supreme Court to review a split Ninth Circuit decision upholding an EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit with narrative standards.
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke with Inside EPA on the recently published CERCLA PFAS rule and its legal implications. The new rule adds two PFAS to the EPA’s list of hazardous substances under the Superfund law, although parties still have nearly 90 days to file legal challenges against the controversial rule.
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke with Inside EPA for an article about a new EPA rule, which adds two PFAS to its list of hazardous substances under CERCLA, and how it could lead to expanded risk assessments of Superfund sites—despite assurances from the EPA otherwise. Jeff commented that most sites on the National Priorities List are not “final” or “deleted.” Therefore, the EPA could still further examine risks of potential contamination of the newly listed substances at sites undergoing five-year reviews.
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke to the National Law Journal about how the EPA recently designated two per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the federal Superfund law. He explained that anyone outside of the EPA is not bound to the agency's judgment regarding who to sue for PFAS contamination involving these newly designated chemicals.
Inside EPA quoted Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter about how the EPA recently finalized its listing of two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Superfund law and the agency’s intentions for related enforcement.
Florida Lost Its CWA Permitting Power. Now What?
April 16, 2024
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke with Law360 about the chances that the State of Florida, or any other State, will receive authority from the EPA to issue Clean Water Act Section 404 “dredge and fill” permits anytime soon. Florida had been given that authority by the EPA at the end of the Trump administration, only to have a Federal Judge take it away last week.
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke to Bloomberg Law about the EPA’s new proposed Safe Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Rule, requiring industrial sites to prepare response plans for pollution from floods.
Two Mintz Attorneys Recognized as ‘Top Authors’ by JD Supra
March 04, 2024
BOSTON – Mintz is pleased to announce that Environmental Law Chair Jeffrey R. Porter and ESG Co-chair Jacob Hupart have been named ‘Top Authors’ in their respective fields by JD Supra in its 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. This annual award recognizes top authors and firms for their thought leadership in key topics and reaching high levels of visibility and engagement.
Florida Permit Ruling Shows Species Law Can Disrupt Builders
February 21, 2024
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke to Bloomberg Law about a recent federal court ruling that invalidated Florida’s control over a federal wetlands dredge-and-fill permitting program.
EPA Set to Designate PFAS as Hazardous Substances Next Month
February 20, 2024
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter told American Lawyer that he thinks many of the battles fought in the early years of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) will soon be fought again over PFAS.
Experts: Best Bet in $300M Osage Nation Wind Farm Dispute Is Negotiation
February 19, 2024
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke to ENR about lessons learned from the Osage Nation’s litigation victory against Enel Green Power North America over Enel’s failure to secure all of the property rights necessary to construct its wind energy project on Osage Nation land.
EPA's Latest PFAS Action Leaves Unanswered Questions
February 13, 2024
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter recently spoke to Law360 about the implications of EPA’s proposal to regulate nine PFAS as “hazardous constituents” at properties subject to Corrective Action under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Inside EPA quoted Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter in an article about the Navy’s settlement of a Clean Water Act citizen suit by agreeing to obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for its continued operation of a firing range on the Potomac River.
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter was quoted by Inside EPA in its reporting on a 10th Circuit decision to reverse a district court ruling that a Colorado gold mine was not required to obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for its settling ponds.
5th Circuit Strictly Interprets Sackett Directive Over WOTUS Definition
December 22, 2023
Environmental Law Chair Jeff Porter spoke with Inside EPA about a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals holding that the Supreme Court’s Sackett decision compels the conclusion that a property is outside Federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. Porter noted that the 5th Circuit’s opinion doesn’t even mention EPA’s post-Sackett regulation on the topic, providing further evidence that the era of judicial deference to EPA is coming to an end.
Twenty-Five Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 21, 2023
BOSTON – Twenty-five Mintz attorneys have been named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers list.
Citizen Suits Seek To Expand CWA Permitting As WOTUS Narrows Scope
November 2, 2023
Environmental Law Chair, Jeff Porter, spoke to Inside EPA about the announcement that the EPA will reopen cleanups for PFAS-contaminated sites on a case-by-case basis. He concluded this concerted push for reopenings could have monumental implications.
Trillions in PFAS Liabilities Threaten Corporate Bankruptcy Wave
October 24, 2023
Environmental Law Chair, Jeff Porter, spoke to Bloomberg Law about how PFAS liabilities threaten a corporate bankruptcy wave. Large industrial corporations are attracting the bulk of PFAS litigation due to their size and historic role in chemical production.
Environmental Law Chair, Jeff Porter was interviewed by InsideEPA on a new bill brought by House Democrats that aims to reverse Sackett v EPA, restoring some US waters and wetlands protections.
Fifty-Nine Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
October 12, 2023
Mintz is pleased to announce that 32 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 27 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2023.
EPA Rule for State Water Pollution Authority Destined for Court
September 18, 2023
Environmental Law Chair, Jeff Porter, spoke to Bloomberg Law about legal challenges EPA may face to its new Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Rule which allows states to hold up projects requiring Federal permits or licenses.
Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeff Porter discussed the most recent attempt by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to say what is a Water of the United States covered by the Clean Water Act with The National Law Journal.
Inside EPA quoted Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeff Porter in an article discussing requests from water utilities that EPA delay further regulation of PFAS under the Federal Superfund law also known as CERCLA.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
The National Law Journal quoted Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeff Porter in an article analyzing the EPA's pending wetland revision for the Clean Water Act.
Inside EPA quoted Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter in an article discussing the legal challenges any EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the United States regulation could face.
BOSTON –Mintz announced today that 39 of its practices and 81 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2023 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms.
Inside EPA quoted Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter in an article regarding the Supreme Court's decision to reject petitions for certiorari in two cases, known as Dakota Finance LLC, dba Arabella Farm, et al., v. Naturaland Trust, et al.
Writing to Stay Connected And Change The System - Q&A With Top Thought Leader Jeff Porter
May 18, 2023
Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter participated in a Q&A with JD Supra where he discussed how beneficial writing and thought leadership can be for building a network.
Maine Transmission Line Is Stalled Despite Court Victories
April 27, 2023
E&E News quoted Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter in an article about the uncertain timeline of the New England Clean Energy Connect, a transmission line linking hydroelectric dams in Canada to the Northeast.
Inside EPA quoted Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter in an article about the setbacks facing President Biden's WOTUS rule.
EHS Daily Advisor referenced an article written by Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter about a 9th Circuit decision regarding the Clean Water Act.
Two Mintz Members Named ‘Top Authors’ By JD Supra
March 06, 2023
BOSTON – Mintz is pleased to announce that Environmental Law Chair Jeffrey R. Porter and Energy & Sustainability Co-Chair Sahir Surmeli have been named ‘Top Authors’ in their respective fields by JD Supra in its 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter spoke to Inside EPA about President Biden's WOTUS rule and how it compares to the Obama administration's.
Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter spoke to Inside EPA about the expected challenges following President Biden's revised WOTUS (Waters of the United States) rule.
Biden EPA WOTUS Rule Draws Few Suits As Justices Weigh CWA's Scope
February 24, 2023
Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter spoke to Inside EPA about President Biden's EPA Rule dictating which Waters of the United States (WOTUS) are subject to the Clean Water Act (CWA).
BOSTON- Mintz Member and Chair of the firm’s Environmental Law Practice, Jeff Porter, has been recognized by the esteemed legal publication Lawdragon as an elite practitioner in the field of environmental law.
Mintz Duo To Assist AG-Elect Andrea Campbell In Transition
December 05, 2022
BOSTON – Two Mintz Members will serve on incoming Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s transition team, with Mintz Health Member Brent Henry taking on the role of Co-Chair of the Transition Committee.
Mintz’s Jeff Porter Appointed To Healey-Driscoll Transition Committee
December 02, 2022
Mintz is pleased to announce that Member and Chair of the firm’s Environmental Law Practice, Jeff Porter, has been named to one of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor-elect's six transition committees. He is the only practicing environmental attorney serving on the committee.
Twenty-Eight Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 22, 2022
In its second annual edition, 28 Mintz attorneys were named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers list.
35 Mintz attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 25 Mintz attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2022.
Supreme Court Poised To Scrap US Waters Test, Attorneys Say
October 4, 2022
Mintz’s Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter was quoted in an article published by Bloomberg Law examining a test used by the federal government to determine what waters and wetlands are protected under the Clean Water Act.
Mintz’s Environmental Law Practice Chair Jeffrey R. Porter was quoted in an article published by Engineering News-Record discussing the new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which aims to propel renewable energy projects.
Embattled Maine Power Line Foreshadows U.S. Climate Obstacles
September 6, 2022
Best Lawyers® recognized 108 firm attorneys in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, two Mintz attorneys – Poonam Patidar and Scott M. Stanton – received 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 28 firm attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
As the Clean Water Act Turns 50, Debate Continues Over Its Scope
January 7, 2022
Science-Based Definition Of US Waters Won't Pass In Court
December 3, 2021
When It Comes to Waters of the United States, the Best Available Science Is Important – But What About That Pesky Commerce Clause?
November 23, 2021
Industry’s Touting Of Citizen Suit Standing Hurdles Appears ‘Optimistic’
September 24, 2021
Guam’s Superfund Story Unlikely to Win Justices, Lawyers Say
April 27, 2021
Why a Judge’s Ruling On a Proposed 600-Foot Waterfront Tower In Boston Casts Doubt ‘Across Massachusetts’
April 7, 2021
Despite EPA Guidance, Groundwater Permitting Decisions Remain Murky
February 11, 2021
EPA Water Pollution Memo Gets Icy Reception From All Sides
December 8, 2020
DOJ Memo May Nix 'the Fun in Superfund'
September 17, 2020
Assistant Attorney General Clark’s Clean Water Act Edict: A Solution to a Non-Existent Problem?
July 31, 2020
DOJ Memo Puts States In Driver's Seat On Water Pollution
July 28, 2020
How Environmental Law Is Shifting Under Trump's Judges
June 25, 2020
Justices Leave Waters Muddy In County of Maui Sewage Case
April 29, 2020
Water Law Doesn't Cover Cape Cod Pollution Via Groundwater
November 27, 2019
The Mintz team representing the Wychmere Beach Club includes Mintz Member and Chair of the firm's Environmental Law Practice Jeffrey R. Porter, and Co-Chairs of the firm's Appellate Practice Andrew N. Nathanson (Special Counsel) and Emily Kanstroom Musgrave (Member).
Mintz Member Jeff Porter Discusses Notable Environmental Law, Policy and Cases to Watch In 2019
July 10, 2019
In a July 12 article, Mr. Porter discussed one of the biggest environment-related regulations to watch in the second half of 2019.
In particular, he commented on the EPA’s new narrower definition of "waters of the U.S." under the Clean Water Act, which is expected to be finalized by December. “Just as the Obama rule was challenged in court by various states and industry groups, the Trump rule will face its own legal battles,” Mr. Porter said.
In a July 8 article, Mr. Porter discussed one of the most significant rulings in environmental law during the first half of 2019.
In particular, he commented on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to limit courts' ability to defer to federal agencies' interpretations of their own regulations. “With their newfound leeway, judges could begin to wade more deeply into controversial and science-heavy issues like climate change and water quality disputes,” Mr. Porter said.
Mintz Recognized by Chambers USA 2019
April 26, 2019
Only Congress Can Fix The Waters Of The US Whirlpool
January 9, 2019
Chambers USA 2018 Ranks Mintz Attorneys & Practices
May 03, 2018
Mintz and ML Strategies Represent GE in Acquisition and Permitting of GE Innovation Point
January 27, 2017
Mintz Attorney Jeffrey R. Porter Elected to American College of Environmental Lawyers
October 20, 2016
Eighty-Four Mintz Attorneys Named 2016 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
October 18, 2016
Events & Speaking
The Clean Water Act in Practice: Implementation in Massachusetts Under the Supreme Court’s County of Maui Decision
Boston Bar Association
Online Event
Recognition & Awards
Forbes Top 200 Lawyers list
Chambers USA: Massachusetts (Band 1) – Environment (2004 – 2024)
Recognized as a Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Environmental Lawyer (2023 - 2024)
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's Go To Environmental/Energy Lawyers (2023)
Best Lawyers in America: Boston Litigation - Environmental Lawyer of the Year (2022)
Featured in Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Litigation (2006 – 2025)
JD Supra Readers' Choice Awards – Top Author, Environmental (2022, 2024)
Global Law Experts, Environmental Lawyer of the Year in Massachusetts (2024)
Lexology Legal Influencers for Infrastructure - US (Q2 2021, Q3 2021, Q2 2022)
Included on the Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Environmental list (2004 – 2023)
Boston Magazine Top Lawyers – Environmental (2023)
Acquisition International Legal Award, US Environmental Law Firm of the Year (2011 – 2016)
Acquisition International Global Excellence Awards, Most Outstanding Environmental Lawyer – Boston (2018)
Who's Who Legal: Environment & Climate Change (2022 - 2023)
Who’s Who in American Law
Who’s Who in the World
Guide to the World’s Leading Environmental Lawyers
The International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers
Phi Beta Kappa
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
Involvement
- Fellow and Member of Executive Committee, American College of Environmental Lawyers
- Trustee, Massachusetts Environmental Trust
- Trustee, The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts
- Member, Bureau of Waste Site Clean Up Advisory Committee, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
- Former Board Chair, Boston Harbor Now
- Former Member, Board of Directors, MassDevelopment
- Former Chair, Trustee Council, The Nature Conservancy (and former Chair, Massachusetts Chapter)
- Former Board Member, Boston Harbor Island Alliance (past Vice-Chair and Treasurer)
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
- Member, Boston Bar Association