
With over three decades of litigation and transactional experience, Jeff is widely recognized as one of the top environmental lawyers in the country. Clients seek him out to solve complex environmental law challenges.
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 ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA which says “Jeff has deep knowledge of environmental law and marries current knowledge with an understanding of the political and policy environment.”
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 Executive Committee of the College. 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
September 1, 2022 | Blog | By Jeff Porter
Read Our Insights on PFAS Issues
September 1, 2022 | Blog | By Jeff Porter
Read Our Insights on Waterfront Development Issues
September 1, 2022 | 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
Writing to Stay Connected And Change The System - Q&A With Top Thought Leader Jeff Porter
May 18, 2023
Maine Transmission Line Is Stalled Despite Court Victories
April 27, 2023
Two Mintz Members Named ‘Top Authors’ By JD Supra
March 06, 2023
Biden EPA WOTUS Rule Draws Few Suits As Justices Weigh CWA's Scope
February 24, 2023
Mintz Duo To Assist AG-Elect Andrea Campbell In Transition
December 05, 2022
Mintz’s Jeff Porter Appointed To Healey-Driscoll Transition Committee
December 02, 2022
Twenty-Eight Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 22, 2022
Supreme Court Poised To Scrap US Waters Test, Attorneys Say
October 4, 2022
Embattled Maine Power Line Foreshadows U.S. Climate Obstacles
September 6, 2022
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

Perspectives
Recognition & Awards
- Chambers USA: Massachusetts (Band 1) – Environment (2004 – 2022)
- Recognized as a 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Environmental Lawyer
- Best Lawyers in America: Boston Litigation - Environmental Lawyer of the Year (2022)
- Best Lawyers in America: Environmental Law, Litigation (2006 – 2023)
- 2022 JD Supra Readers' Choice Awards - Environment
- Lexology Legal Influencers for Infrastructure - US (Q2 2021, Q3 2021, Q2 2022)
- Included on the Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Environmental list (2004 – 2022)
- 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)
- 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
