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Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications

Our Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications group is one of the largest and most diverse in the Northeast. Robinson+Cole lawyers provide targeted, practical, and cost-effective advice to clients with all types of environmental, health and safety (EH+S), and utility (electricity, gas, steam, water, and telecom) needs in jurisdictions, and at sites, and facilities across the country.

Our team of lawyers and analysts is committed to helping you resolve the issues you face, no matter how complex. Working collaboratively, we bring our collective proficiency to the matter at hand, to help you achieve your goals.

Our Services

Our clients value the results we deliver through our diverse and results-oriented practice. When you retain our services, we prioritize understanding your business as well as your needs and goals. We use our proficiency in EH+S and utility law to help you meet these objectives.

We provide legal services for these matters and more:

  • Conducting project specific and transactional due diligences
  • Negotiating purchase and sale agreements
  • Obtaining permits and regulatory approvals
  • Providing risk management guidance and regulatory counseling
  • Remediating contaminated sites
  • Representing clients in federal and state courts
  • Resolving issues in business transactions
  • Responding to releases, government inspections, and major incidents
  • Siting power production and telecommunications facilities

Our Team

Many of our team members have degrees in relevant scientific and engineering disciplines, and prior employment with government agencies and consulting firms. Through our substantive experience, we cover all media under every major statute and regulatory program.  For each matter, experienced partners lead teams of associates and analysts. We put our collective knowledge and experience to work for our clients, through lean teams dedicated to handling matters efficiently. Our practice group lawyers also collaborate closely with our land use, real estate, general litigation, white-collar, business, and tax colleagues to provide comprehensive, creative, and effective advocacy and counseling.

Our team’s performance often leads to recognition in Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and other top-lawyer ranking services, and most recently, we were honored as Environmental Litigation Department of the Year at the New England Legal Awards for our exceptional depth, technical knowledge, and litigation success across a broad spectrum of environmental law.

We value our relationships with clients, and offer innovative and truly sustainable alternative fee arrangements. We welcome the opportunity to discuss  the billing and staffing arrangements that best serve your needs. 

Whatever challenges you are facing, our highly experienced Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications attorneys will provide legal services that support you in all EH+S, environmental and utility matters nationwide.

Experience

State Pier Terminal in the Port of New London - New London, Connecticut

Representation of a quasi-governmental agency in reviewing and editing request for proposals for engineering services and preparing and negotiating professional services agreement between client and engineer and subaward agreement between client and end-user for project management and engineering, permitting and construction administration services. The project consisted of purchasing and installing mobile shore power equipment to support shore power infrastructure and supplementing in-place electrical infrastructure installed in connection with the State Pier Infrastructure Improvements Project at the State Pier Terminal in New London, Connecticut. The project, which is mostly funded by a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, represents the next phase of delivering shore power to vessels docking at the terminal, allowing marine vessels to connect to the local electric grid to power onboard services instead of running their diesel engines, thereby reducing their diesel emissions and carbon footprints and decreasing health risks and noise pollution.

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Counsels Global Electrification + Automation Leader in Variety of Practice Areas

Represents a Fortune 50 global manufacturing and systems company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, in environmental litigation, remediation, and compliance counseling; bankruptcy and related disputes; government compliance matters; commercial litigation; and other related issues.

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Market Entry + Participation

Advise client regarding the requirements for entry and participation in the distributed solar and battery storage markets in multiple states.

Events

Past

Complying with Connecticut’s New UST Regulations: Key Points for Petroleum Marketers

Jun 10 2026
Connecticut Energy Marketers Association Webinar
Past

Legislative Issues Update

Jun 3 2026
CT Commercial Real Estate Conference
Past

Complying with Connecticut’s New UST Regulations: Key Points for Petroleum Marketers

Jun 10 2026
Connecticut Energy Marketers Association Webinar
Past

Legislative Issues Update

Jun 3 2026
CT Commercial Real Estate Conference
Past

The Release-Based Cleanup Regulations Are Live: What Now?

Jun 2 2026
2026 Connecticut Legal Conference
Past

CBIA 2026 Energy & Environment Conference

May 14 2026
Hotel Marcel New Haven
Past

EPA’s Rescission of the GHG Endangerment Finding for Motor Vehicles: What Happened, Impacts, What May Be Next

Apr 1 2026
Connecticut Environmental Forum Meeting
Past

Further Bumpy Road Ahead? Outlook for Ozone Non-attainment Designations in Connecticut

Apr 1 2026
Connecticut Environmental Forum Meeting
Past

The Release-Based Cleanup Regulations Are Live: What Now?

Jun 2 2026
2026 Connecticut Legal Conference
Past

CBIA 2026 Energy & Environment Conference

May 14 2026
Hotel Marcel New Haven
Past

EPA’s Rescission of the GHG Endangerment Finding for Motor Vehicles: What Happened, Impacts, What May Be Next

Apr 1 2026
Connecticut Environmental Forum Meeting
Past

Further Bumpy Road Ahead? Outlook for Ozone Non-attainment Designations in Connecticut

Apr 1 2026
Connecticut Environmental Forum Meeting

Publications

Vol. 10.1

New UST Requirements (and Potential "Buried Hazards") in Connecticut Revised Underground Storage Tank Regulations

CEMA Aegis
November 15, 2024

Practices Steering Committee Report

Energy Law Journal, Vol. 45.2:1

View the article.

June 25, 2024

How Justices’ Chevron Ruling May Influence Wind Projects

Law360

The article covers recent challenges to offshore wind projects, and how an anticipated ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court may upend long-standing principles of deference to federal agency decision making. “The court’s decision could influence the agencies’ rulemaking process, how agencies interpret their statutory authority, and the deference that courts apply to those interpretations,” they write. “While the statutes and regulations governing the approval process for offshore wind projects will remain constant, at least for the time being, the federal courts’ framework for reviewing agencies’ decision making based on those rules could be subject to upheaval.” Read the article.

Vol. 10.1

New UST Requirements (and Potential "Buried Hazards") in Connecticut Revised Underground Storage Tank Regulations

CEMA Aegis
November 15, 2024

Practices Steering Committee Report

Energy Law Journal, Vol. 45.2:1

View the article.

June 25, 2024

How Justices’ Chevron Ruling May Influence Wind Projects

Law360

The article covers recent challenges to offshore wind projects, and how an anticipated ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court may upend long-standing principles of deference to federal agency decision making. “The court’s decision could influence the agencies’ rulemaking process, how agencies interpret their statutory authority, and the deference that courts apply to those interpretations,” they write. “While the statutes and regulations governing the approval process for offshore wind projects will remain constant, at least for the time being, the federal courts’ framework for reviewing agencies’ decision making based on those rules could be subject to upheaval.” Read the article.

Legal Update: First Circuit Rejects Challenges to Federal Permits for Vineyard Wind 1 teaser
May 21, 2024

Legal Update: First Circuit Rejects Challenges to Federal Permits for Vineyard Wind 1

November 2023

Report of the FERC Practice Sector of the Practices Steering Committee (2023)

Energy Law Journal, Volume 44 No. 2 (2023)

View the article.

Legal Update: Deadline Approaching for PFAS Suit Opt-Out teaser
October 25, 2023

Legal Update: Deadline Approaching for PFAS Suit Opt-Out

June 8, 2023

Breaking the Mold – Best Practices by Educational Institutions to Limit Mold Exposure and Loss

American School & University

Mold is one of the oldest life forms on the planet, and it continues to be a hot topic among health experts – as well as those operating and maintaining education facilities. Most types of mold grow in high-moisture areas. Mold plays an important part in our ecosystem and can have various beneficial uses, but prolonged exposure to elevated levels of certain mold types can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems, which may be severe. Complaints about mold at education institutions may arise from students, employees or visitors. Unlike many contaminants, however, there may be few clear regulatory or health-based limits to define acceptable versus unacceptable levels for mold. Given that, plus the different types of mold and different levels of personal sensitivity, determining the risk from mold exposure can be complicated. Often, the initial response made following a mold complaint is immediate testing; however, the process, scope, and type of testing may raise more issues that must be addressed. To Test or Not Test Before a decision is made to test, several issues should be considered in consultation with technical and legal resources that are experienced in dealing with mold issues. Those issues include: Determining which test method(s) to use, and how best to carry out tests in a specific setting Ensuring that the selected test method(s) are carried out properly Interpreting test results Determining “action levels” (i.e., results that warrant follow-up action), and what such action should be Confirming that the institution is prepared to promptly commit the resources necessary for such action Testing for mold may be more complex than expected. Unlike most contaminants, mold is ubiquitous in nature as well as in built environments. The many different types of mold further complicate the picture. Some molds always produce toxins, other molds produce toxins only in certain environments and some molds do not produce toxins in any environment. Contributing to the problem, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend routine sampling for mold because there are no established standards for determining what constitutes a “normal” level. If a decision is made to proceed with testing for mold, the uncertainties potentially associated with such testing make it necessary to consider how to appropriately manage information and discussions resulting from such testing. Depending on the context, it also may be appropriate to consider whether and to what degree confidentiality or attorney-client privilege protections are warranted. Prevent, Detect and Abate The time and costs required for testing and the potential value of test results should be weighed against the value of prevention, detection and abatement strategies. These strategies include: Periodically checking for possible moisture sources that could create mold issues in interior spaces Conducting visual or odor checks for mold, and using enhanced cleaning regimens in potential problem areas For moisture sources, mold experts assess not only for potential sources of liquid water (e.g., plumbing leaks), but also for water vapor (e.g., hot, humid exterior air entering air-conditioned interiors, leading to condensation). Vapor is a particular challenge on college campuses at the beginning and end of the academic year when students or visitors prop doors open to facilitate move-in or move-out. When an institution identifies a mold problem or becomes aware of a mold complaint, it is important to promptly locate and abate moisture source(s) at the specific location as well as any surrounding areas that may also be affected. The immediate response should take into account how it will affect students or employees who report having allergies or other respiratory problems. Such persons should be relocated immediately until mold removal professionals can clean the affected areas. One prevention method schools should consider is educating students on the instrumental role they play in causing or preventing the growth of mold. Encouraging best practices for student spaces and common areas can help institutions lower the risk of significant mold growth. These best practices include preventing mold growth by: Hanging wet towels or sweaty clothes to dry Using exhaust fans when showering Mopping up spills immediately, whether on floors, on countertops, inside cabinets, or elsewhere Ensuring any rugs or carpets that receive spills or tracked-in rain, snow, or ice do not stay wet Immediately reporting any wet rugs or carpets that cannot be easily dried Immediately reporting any odors Another important prevention method is diligent building maintenance. One of the many dangers of deferred maintenance, particularly in older buildings, is the growth of mold. Delays in tasks like repairing window or roof leaks or insulating piping can lead to mold infestations. Although deferring seemingly minor repairs might save costs in the short term, it can necessitate future mold remediation that may be urgent and far costlier and could expose the institution to bad publicity or legal liability. For example, a 2019 class action lawsuit against Indiana University Bloomington cited widespread mold infestation in university residence halls because of chronically leaking pipes, condensate leaks from heating and cooling systems, roof leaks, and many other unaddressed maintenance deficiencies. The university’s response included installing air filtration systems, but those led to noise complaints and an expansion of the lawsuit. The university was ultimately successful on appeal, but not before compensating 2,458 students a total of $7.7 million and enduring high-profile negative publicity. Before significant mold problems occur, institutions can employ prevention methods such as: Performing regular building and HVAC inspections that include scrutiny of potential mold sources or hot spots Routing vents outdoors for all moisture-generating appliances Avoiding putting carpeting in high-humidity spaces such as basements Assessing and if necessary, controlling humidity levels in all interior spaces Although mold is ubiquitous, serious mold infestations and resulting class-action lawsuits do not have to be. With planning and preventive action, education institutions can limit mold-related exposure and loss.

May 2023

Report of the State Commission Practice Committee (2023)

Energy Law Journal, Volume 44 No. 1

View the article.

March 31, 2023

OSHA to Expand the Use of Instance-by-Instance Penalties

EHS Today

In the article, Megan discusses OSHA’s new policy expanding penalties for instance-by-instance (IBI) citations. Reinforcing OSHA’s stated commitment to increased enforcement in the years ahead, these new penalties have the potential to significantly increase the monetary penalty amounts associated with certain violations. Under the new policy, which went into effect on March 27, the IBI policy will now apply to high-gravity serious violations in areas including falls, respiratory protection, and permit required confined space. The new IBI policy will also apply to other-than-serious recordkeeping violations. Employers with certain types of recordkeeping violations could find themselves subject to significant penalties for failures to record or inaccuracies in the records. View the article.

Legal Update: First Circuit Rejects Challenges to Federal Permits for Vineyard Wind 1 teaser
May 21, 2024

Legal Update: First Circuit Rejects Challenges to Federal Permits for Vineyard Wind 1

November 2023

Report of the FERC Practice Sector of the Practices Steering Committee (2023)

Energy Law Journal, Volume 44 No. 2 (2023)

View the article.

Legal Update: Deadline Approaching for PFAS Suit Opt-Out teaser
October 25, 2023

Legal Update: Deadline Approaching for PFAS Suit Opt-Out

June 8, 2023

Breaking the Mold – Best Practices by Educational Institutions to Limit Mold Exposure and Loss

American School & University

Mold is one of the oldest life forms on the planet, and it continues to be a hot topic among health experts – as well as those operating and maintaining education facilities. Most types of mold grow in high-moisture areas. Mold plays an important part in our ecosystem and can have various beneficial uses, but prolonged exposure to elevated levels of certain mold types can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems, which may be severe. Complaints about mold at education institutions may arise from students, employees or visitors. Unlike many contaminants, however, there may be few clear regulatory or health-based limits to define acceptable versus unacceptable levels for mold. Given that, plus the different types of mold and different levels of personal sensitivity, determining the risk from mold exposure can be complicated. Often, the initial response made following a mold complaint is immediate testing; however, the process, scope, and type of testing may raise more issues that must be addressed. To Test or Not Test Before a decision is made to test, several issues should be considered in consultation with technical and legal resources that are experienced in dealing with mold issues. Those issues include: Determining which test method(s) to use, and how best to carry out tests in a specific setting Ensuring that the selected test method(s) are carried out properly Interpreting test results Determining “action levels” (i.e., results that warrant follow-up action), and what such action should be Confirming that the institution is prepared to promptly commit the resources necessary for such action Testing for mold may be more complex than expected. Unlike most contaminants, mold is ubiquitous in nature as well as in built environments. The many different types of mold further complicate the picture. Some molds always produce toxins, other molds produce toxins only in certain environments and some molds do not produce toxins in any environment. Contributing to the problem, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend routine sampling for mold because there are no established standards for determining what constitutes a “normal” level. If a decision is made to proceed with testing for mold, the uncertainties potentially associated with such testing make it necessary to consider how to appropriately manage information and discussions resulting from such testing. Depending on the context, it also may be appropriate to consider whether and to what degree confidentiality or attorney-client privilege protections are warranted. Prevent, Detect and Abate The time and costs required for testing and the potential value of test results should be weighed against the value of prevention, detection and abatement strategies. These strategies include: Periodically checking for possible moisture sources that could create mold issues in interior spaces Conducting visual or odor checks for mold, and using enhanced cleaning regimens in potential problem areas For moisture sources, mold experts assess not only for potential sources of liquid water (e.g., plumbing leaks), but also for water vapor (e.g., hot, humid exterior air entering air-conditioned interiors, leading to condensation). Vapor is a particular challenge on college campuses at the beginning and end of the academic year when students or visitors prop doors open to facilitate move-in or move-out. When an institution identifies a mold problem or becomes aware of a mold complaint, it is important to promptly locate and abate moisture source(s) at the specific location as well as any surrounding areas that may also be affected. The immediate response should take into account how it will affect students or employees who report having allergies or other respiratory problems. Such persons should be relocated immediately until mold removal professionals can clean the affected areas. One prevention method schools should consider is educating students on the instrumental role they play in causing or preventing the growth of mold. Encouraging best practices for student spaces and common areas can help institutions lower the risk of significant mold growth. These best practices include preventing mold growth by: Hanging wet towels or sweaty clothes to dry Using exhaust fans when showering Mopping up spills immediately, whether on floors, on countertops, inside cabinets, or elsewhere Ensuring any rugs or carpets that receive spills or tracked-in rain, snow, or ice do not stay wet Immediately reporting any wet rugs or carpets that cannot be easily dried Immediately reporting any odors Another important prevention method is diligent building maintenance. One of the many dangers of deferred maintenance, particularly in older buildings, is the growth of mold. Delays in tasks like repairing window or roof leaks or insulating piping can lead to mold infestations. Although deferring seemingly minor repairs might save costs in the short term, it can necessitate future mold remediation that may be urgent and far costlier and could expose the institution to bad publicity or legal liability. For example, a 2019 class action lawsuit against Indiana University Bloomington cited widespread mold infestation in university residence halls because of chronically leaking pipes, condensate leaks from heating and cooling systems, roof leaks, and many other unaddressed maintenance deficiencies. The university’s response included installing air filtration systems, but those led to noise complaints and an expansion of the lawsuit. The university was ultimately successful on appeal, but not before compensating 2,458 students a total of $7.7 million and enduring high-profile negative publicity. Before significant mold problems occur, institutions can employ prevention methods such as: Performing regular building and HVAC inspections that include scrutiny of potential mold sources or hot spots Routing vents outdoors for all moisture-generating appliances Avoiding putting carpeting in high-humidity spaces such as basements Assessing and if necessary, controlling humidity levels in all interior spaces Although mold is ubiquitous, serious mold infestations and resulting class-action lawsuits do not have to be. With planning and preventive action, education institutions can limit mold-related exposure and loss.

May 2023

Report of the State Commission Practice Committee (2023)

Energy Law Journal, Volume 44 No. 1

View the article.

March 31, 2023

OSHA to Expand the Use of Instance-by-Instance Penalties

EHS Today

In the article, Megan discusses OSHA’s new policy expanding penalties for instance-by-instance (IBI) citations. Reinforcing OSHA’s stated commitment to increased enforcement in the years ahead, these new penalties have the potential to significantly increase the monetary penalty amounts associated with certain violations. Under the new policy, which went into effect on March 27, the IBI policy will now apply to high-gravity serious violations in areas including falls, respiratory protection, and permit required confined space. The new IBI policy will also apply to other-than-serious recordkeeping violations. Employers with certain types of recordkeeping violations could find themselves subject to significant penalties for failures to record or inaccuracies in the records. View the article.

News

June 4, 2026

Robinson+Cole Recognized Across Practices and Regions with 46 Chambers USA 2026 Rankings

In the latest edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Robinson+Cole achieved significant recognition, securing rankings across multiple practice areas and regions, including a distinguished Nationwide ranking, underscoring the firm’s breadth of capabilities and national reputation. Chambers & Partners has ranked 33 Robinson+Cole lawyers and 13 of its practices, with two newly-ranked lawyers. Twelve lawyers earned Band 1 designations, with two ascending to Band 1 from the previous year, alongside seven Band 1-ranked practices. In addition to being ranked Nationwide in Privacy & Data Security, Linn F. Freedman was also listed in the Chambers Global 2026 ranking guide in the area of Privacy & Data Security – USA for the fifth consecutive year. The rankings, based on extensive client feedback and independent research, reflect a year of strategic growth and high-profile client work, reinforcing the firm’s reputation as an industry leader in various markets.  Chambers USA 2026 recognized the following Robinson+Cole lawyers (denoting Band 1 ranking with a 1): Linn F. Freedman, Privacy & Data Security, Nationwide Brya M. Keilson, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Delaware Natalie D. Ramsey, (Star Individual) Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Delaware and Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds Rachel Jaffe Mauceri, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds Dennis C. Cavanaugh, Gregory R. Faulkner1, Frederick E. Hedberg, and Martin A. Onorato, Construction, Connecticut Matthew J. Guanci, Jr. and Eric M. Kogan, Corporate/M&A, Connecticut Kenneth C. Baldwin1 and Joey Lee Miranda1, Energy & Natural Resources, Connecticut Megan E. Baroni, Robert S. Melvin, Earl W. Phillips, Jr. (Senior Statespeople), James P. Ray, Jonathan H. Schaefer, and Emilee Mooney Scott, Environment, Connecticut Lisa M. Boyle1, Healthcare, Connecticut Wystan M. Ackerman1, Dana M. Horton1, Daniel F. Sullivan1, and Gregory P. Varga1, Insurance, Connecticut John L. Cordani1 and Jaqueline Pennino Scheib1, Intellectual Property, Connecticut Stephen W. Aronson, Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Natale V. DiNatale, and Virginia E. McGarrity, Labor & Employment, Connecticut Jeffrey J. White, Litigation: General Commercial, Connecticut Garry C. Berman1, Steven L. Elbaum1, and Charles F. Martin III, Real Estate, Connecticut Chambers USA 2026 recognized the following Robinson+Cole practices (denoting Band 1 ranking with a 1): Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Delaware Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds Construction, Connecticut1 Construction, Massachusetts Corporate/M&A, Connecticut Energy & Natural Resources, Connecticut1 Environment, Connecticut1 Healthcare, Connecticut1 Insurance, Connecticut1 Intellectual Property, Connecticut1 Labor & Employment, Connecticut Litigation: General Commercial, Connecticut Real Estate, Connecticut1 Chambers has published guides to the legal profession for over 20 years, highlighting the top lawyers and law firms across the USA. Chambers’ research teams of over 200 individuals assess lawyers and law firms across the United States, conducting thousands of one-on-one interviews per year with in-house counsel and third-party experts. An explanation of Chambers’ methodology can be found online here.

Chambers & Partners
Robinson+Cole Recognized Across Practices and Regions with 46 Chambers USA 2026 Rankings teaser
February 27, 2026

Megan Baroni Recognized as 2026 Nicholas A. Robinson Awardee

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
January 5, 2026

Robinson+Cole Promotes New Partners and Counsel in Strategic Practices and Markets

Firm names three partners and eight counsel in New York, Boston, Hartford, Providence, and Stamford
June 4, 2026

Robinson+Cole Recognized Across Practices and Regions with 46 Chambers USA 2026 Rankings

In the latest edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Robinson+Cole achieved significant recognition, securing rankings across multiple practice areas and regions, including a distinguished Nationwide ranking, underscoring the firm’s breadth of capabilities and national reputation. Chambers & Partners has ranked 33 Robinson+Cole lawyers and 13 of its practices, with two newly-ranked lawyers. Twelve lawyers earned Band 1 designations, with two ascending to Band 1 from the previous year, alongside seven Band 1-ranked practices. In addition to being ranked Nationwide in Privacy & Data Security, Linn F. Freedman was also listed in the Chambers Global 2026 ranking guide in the area of Privacy & Data Security – USA for the fifth consecutive year. The rankings, based on extensive client feedback and independent research, reflect a year of strategic growth and high-profile client work, reinforcing the firm’s reputation as an industry leader in various markets.  Chambers USA 2026 recognized the following Robinson+Cole lawyers (denoting Band 1 ranking with a 1): Linn F. Freedman, Privacy & Data Security, Nationwide Brya M. Keilson, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Delaware Natalie D. Ramsey, (Star Individual) Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Delaware and Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds Rachel Jaffe Mauceri, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds Dennis C. Cavanaugh, Gregory R. Faulkner1, Frederick E. Hedberg, and Martin A. Onorato, Construction, Connecticut Matthew J. Guanci, Jr. and Eric M. Kogan, Corporate/M&A, Connecticut Kenneth C. Baldwin1 and Joey Lee Miranda1, Energy & Natural Resources, Connecticut Megan E. Baroni, Robert S. Melvin, Earl W. Phillips, Jr. (Senior Statespeople), James P. Ray, Jonathan H. Schaefer, and Emilee Mooney Scott, Environment, Connecticut Lisa M. Boyle1, Healthcare, Connecticut Wystan M. Ackerman1, Dana M. Horton1, Daniel F. Sullivan1, and Gregory P. Varga1, Insurance, Connecticut John L. Cordani1 and Jaqueline Pennino Scheib1, Intellectual Property, Connecticut Stephen W. Aronson, Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Natale V. DiNatale, and Virginia E. McGarrity, Labor & Employment, Connecticut Jeffrey J. White, Litigation: General Commercial, Connecticut Garry C. Berman1, Steven L. Elbaum1, and Charles F. Martin III, Real Estate, Connecticut Chambers USA 2026 recognized the following Robinson+Cole practices (denoting Band 1 ranking with a 1): Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Delaware Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds Construction, Connecticut1 Construction, Massachusetts Corporate/M&A, Connecticut Energy & Natural Resources, Connecticut1 Environment, Connecticut1 Healthcare, Connecticut1 Insurance, Connecticut1 Intellectual Property, Connecticut1 Labor & Employment, Connecticut Litigation: General Commercial, Connecticut Real Estate, Connecticut1 Chambers has published guides to the legal profession for over 20 years, highlighting the top lawyers and law firms across the USA. Chambers’ research teams of over 200 individuals assess lawyers and law firms across the United States, conducting thousands of one-on-one interviews per year with in-house counsel and third-party experts. An explanation of Chambers’ methodology can be found online here.

Chambers & Partners
Robinson+Cole Recognized Across Practices and Regions with 46 Chambers USA 2026 Rankings teaser
February 27, 2026

Megan Baroni Recognized as 2026 Nicholas A. Robinson Awardee

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
January 5, 2026

Robinson+Cole Promotes New Partners and Counsel in Strategic Practices and Markets

Firm names three partners and eight counsel in New York, Boston, Hartford, Providence, and Stamford
December 15, 2025

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group Volunteers to Provide Affordable Access to Food with Levo International

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group Volunteers to Provide Affordable Access to Food with Levo International teaser
December 8, 2025

Emilee Mooney Scott Named Chair of CBIA’s E2 Council

CBIA
December 2, 2025

Eight Robinson+Cole Lawyers Named “Top Lawyers 2025”

Boston Magazine
Eight Robinson+Cole Lawyers Named “Top Lawyers 2025” teaser
November 14, 2025

Robinson+Cole Secures Top Rankings in 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®

Firm earns 6 national and 46 first-tier rankings in Boston, Hartford, New York, Rhode Island, and Stamford Markets
Robinson+Cole Secures Top Rankings in 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms® teaser
November 6, 2025

Robinson+Cole Commends 62 Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Super Lawyers®

Recognition spans key regions and highlights the firm’s seasoned practitioners and emerging leaders in many business transactions and litigation practices
Robinson+Cole Commends 62 Attorneys Recognized in 2025 <i>Super Lawyers</i>® teaser
October 28, 2025

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Win 2025 New England Legal Awards

Law.com / Connecticut Law Tribune
Robinson+Cole Lawyers Win 2025 New England Legal Awards teaser
December 15, 2025

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group Volunteers to Provide Affordable Access to Food with Levo International

Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group Volunteers to Provide Affordable Access to Food with Levo International teaser
December 8, 2025

Emilee Mooney Scott Named Chair of CBIA’s E2 Council

CBIA
December 2, 2025

Eight Robinson+Cole Lawyers Named “Top Lawyers 2025”

Boston Magazine
Eight Robinson+Cole Lawyers Named “Top Lawyers 2025” teaser
November 14, 2025

Robinson+Cole Secures Top Rankings in 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®

Firm earns 6 national and 46 first-tier rankings in Boston, Hartford, New York, Rhode Island, and Stamford Markets
Robinson+Cole Secures Top Rankings in 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms® teaser
November 6, 2025

Robinson+Cole Commends 62 Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Super Lawyers®

Recognition spans key regions and highlights the firm’s seasoned practitioners and emerging leaders in many business transactions and litigation practices
Robinson+Cole Commends 62 Attorneys Recognized in 2025 <i>Super Lawyers</i>® teaser
October 28, 2025

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Win 2025 New England Legal Awards

Law.com / Connecticut Law Tribune
Robinson+Cole Lawyers Win 2025 New England Legal Awards teaser

Environmental Law + Blog

What We Are Reading: Environmental & Energy Series

Week of July 6, 2026 As summer moves into full swing, federal and state regulators continue to reshape key areas of energy infrastructure, environmental compliance, and climate policy. Below are several developments that caught my attention this week. Whether you are navigating PFAS compliance obligations, tracking permitting and infrastructure developments, evaluating energy transition issues, or assessing how evolving federal and state regulations may affect your business or projects, I would be happy to discuss these topics and their potential implications. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to connect. Trump Administration Narrows ESA “Harm” Definition The Trump administration finalized a rollback of the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) long-standing definition of “harm,” removing habitat modification and degradation from activities that may trigger ESA liability unless direct physical harm to protected species occurs. Supporters argue the change will reduce permitting burdens and protect property rights, while environmental groups have already indicated they intend to challenge the rule in court. Read more: DOE’s Press Release. EPA Proposes to Roll Back Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Requirements EPA has proposed revisions to federal emissions standards for new heavy-duty vehicles, including buses, garbage trucks, and tractor-trailers. The proposal would scale back certain warranty requirements and delay implementation of updated emissions compliance periods, continuing the Trump administration’s broader review of prior vehicle emissions regulations. Public comment period ends August 29, 2026. Read More: EPA’s Proposed Rule Webpage. DOE Warns Growing Electricity Demand Is Straining the Grid A draft study from the DOE found that rapid growth in data centers, AI adoption, domestic manufacturing, electrification, and other large loads is placing increasing strain on the nation’s electric grid. The report identifies significant transmission needs across several regions and underscores the growing importance of transmission expansion and grid modernization efforts. Read more: DOE’s Reliability Webpage. Connecticut’s PFAS Product Labeling and Reporting Requirements Take Effect Connecticut’s PFAS-in-products law reached a major milestone on July 1, with manufacturer reporting, notification, fee, and labeling requirements now in effect for a broad range of consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS. The law creates new compliance obligations for manufacturers today and sets the stage for a broader ban on many covered PFAS-containing products beginning in 2028. Read more: CTDEEP PFAS in Products Program. FERC Targets Faster Grid Connections for Data Centers and Other Large Loads FERC directed all six regional grid operators to justify or revise the tariffs governing how data centers, manufacturing facilities, and other large energy users connect to the grid. The initiative is designed to accelerate large-load integration while addressing reliability, cost allocation, and transmission planning challenges associated with rapidly growing electricity demand. Read more: FERC Press Release Second Circuit Upholds New York’s Building Electrification Law The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld New York laws that effectively prohibit fossil fuel-burning appliances in new construction. The ruling creates a split with the Ninth Circuit’s earlier decision involving Berkeley, California, increasing the likelihood that the issue could eventually be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Read more: June 30, 2026 Decision. New York Files PFAS Lawsuit Against Chemical Manufacturers New York filed suit against major chemical manufacturers, including 3M, DuPont, and Corteva, alleging that the companies failed to disclose the health and environmental risks associated with PFAS in consumer products. The state is seeking cleanup costs, financial penalties, and product warnings, highlighting the continued expansion of PFAS-related litigation nationwide. Read more: NY Attorney General Press Release.

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What We Are Reading: Environmental & Energy Stories

This post kicks off a new series that we hope to put out every Monday. The goal is to highlight a few notable environmental and energy stories from the past week that we found interesting and that you may have missed. As you will see below, this is truly meant to highlight the story with a high-level summary, while providing you with a link to source material Week of June 29, 2026 While most of us were busy clearing our desks ahead of the long Fourth of July weekend, there were several noteworthy environmental and energy stories, many of them continuing the Trump administration’s push toward permitting reform, deregulation, and energy development. These are just a few of the environmental and energy news stories that caught my attention this week. If you’d like to discuss any of these topics, or other emerging environmental or energy regulatory, permitting, or trends, feel free to reach out. I would be happy to connect. EPA Looks to Streamline Air Permitting EPA has proposed eliminating federal public notice and comment requirements for certain minor-source air permits, arguing that the change would speed permitting and give more authority to state and local agencies. Supporters see it as a permitting efficiency measure, while critics raise concerns about reduced public participation. Read more: EPA’s July 1, 2026 Press Release. EPA Eases Timing for Emission Offset Requirements EPA also issued guidance allowing permits for major new industrial facilities to be issued before required emissions offsets are secured, provided facilities cannot begin operating until offsets are obtained. The agency says the move reduces permitting delays while maintaining Clean Air Act protections. Read more: EPA’s July 1, 2026 Guidance. EPA Revisits PFAS Biosolids Policy EPA released draft guidance on managing PFOA and PFOS in biosolids, signaling a departure from a prior risk assessment that suggested significant health concerns. The proposal is likely to reignite the debate over how to balance PFAS risk management, agricultural reuse of biosolids, and wastewater utility operations. Read more: EPA’s June 29, 2026 Draft Guidance Memorandum. EPA’s 2026 Regulatory Agenda Takes Shape EPA’s latest regulatory agenda confirms the agency will continue working through a broad set of deregulatory initiatives, including permitting reforms, PFAS rule revisions, vehicle emissions standards, and energy-sector regulations. The agenda offers an early look at key environmental policy issues likely to dominate the remainder of 2026. Read more: EPA’s 2026 Regulatory Agenda. NRC Targets Longstanding Radiation Guidance The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced plans to replace its decades-old “ALARA” (as low as (is) reasonably achievable) radiation guidance with a framework focused on existing federal dose limits. The proposal is intended to simplify regulation and support new nuclear technologies, though critics argue it could weaken longstanding worker protections. Read more: NRC’s July 1, 2026 Press Release.

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The Release Report #10: The RBCRs Are Here!

This is the tenth in a series of blog posts discussing key features of Connecticut’s new release-based cleanup regulations (the “RBCRs”), R.C.S.A. § 22a-134tt-1 et seq.  At long last, the RBCRs are here! With a March 1, 2026, effective date, the RBCRs are now live. In this post, we will provide a brief refresher on what that means and share where things stand in in the first week of March as the regulations are just taking effect. Where Things Stand As of March 1, the law has changed in several important ways, including: New transfers of businesses and real property no longer trigger the Transfer Act.  Transfers of businesses and real property after March 1, 2026, no longer trigger the Transfer Act. That said, Transfer Act “certifying parties” that have not yet finished their work will be required to finish site-wide investigation and remediation under the Transfer Act. An information sheet available on DEEP’s website provides additional detail on the interplay of the Transfer Act and RBCRs. Identification of contamination can lead to the “discovery” of a pre-existing release, and trigger obligations to investigate and remediate it.  As we discussed an earlier post, the “discovery” of a pre-existing release can occur through environmental sampling or the observation of “multiple lines of evidence” that a release has occurred. DEEP has now provided a guidance document explaining when a release can be discovered through multiple lines of evidence. New releases are still reported under the March 2022 spill reporting regulations, and response can sometimes be managed by Permitted Environmental Professionals (PEPs).  As discussed in a prior post regulations were promulgated in March of 2022 (R.C.S.A. § 22a-450-1 et seq.) that require reporting of certain new releases. Those regulations remain in effect.  Now, after such releases are reported, certain immediate actions are required (as discussed previously) and some of those response actions can be managed by PEPs. What’s New In the last few weeks DEEP has provided a number of training sessions on various aspects of the RBCRs.  Information on training sessions, and an opportunity to sign up, are available on DEEP’s website.  DEEP has also recently released its long-awaited Release, Environmental Assessment and Cleanup Tracker or REACT database.  The REACT database provides a wealth of information on remediation sites statewide, and it will become more detailed over time as it is populated with new submittals under the RBCRs and other programs.  What Happens Next In the coming weeks, we expect DEEP to continue to release additional guidance and other information on the RBCRs. The working group convened under Public Act 20-09 had its last meeting on February 26, but a new working group will be convened soon to advise DEEP on the implementation of the RBCRs.  As the RBCRs are implemented, please stay tuned to the Environmental Law + blog as we continue to share updates and insight.

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Federal Courts Unswayed by Administration Stop Work Orders

Echoing recent rulings from the District Court for the District of Columbia, on January 16, 2026, the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granted Dominion Energy’s request for a preliminary injunction, lifting the Trump administration’s suspension of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. Earlier that same week, two other judges in same district  granted similar requests made by Equinor for its Empire Wind project and Ørsted for its Revolution Wind project. Work on the three projects has resumed and, in the case of Revolution Wind, construction is nearing completion. The three developers successfully argued that the work stoppages would result in imminent and irreparable harm. Justice Department officials countered by claiming that the national security concerns that putatively justified the December 2025 stop work orders outweighed the developers’ economic interests. Thus far, reviewing courts have held that those security concerns, which allege a generalized risk of interference with radar systems, have not been sufficiently articulated.  While the preliminary injunctions allow the projects to continue, the cases will continue to be litigated on their merits. Concerning the remaining two projects subject to the stop work order, Vineyard Wind is challenging the stop work order in Massachusetts federal court and Sunrise Wind filed for an injunction in the District of Columbia. 

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Offshore Developers Wind Up Challenges To Latest Stop Work Orders

In response to the Trump administration’s latest suspension of offshore wind development, three of the five affected developers have filed lawsuits in federal court seeking to overturn the stop work orders: Dominion Energy on behalf of its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project; Ørsted on behalf of its Revolution Wind project; and Equinor on behalf of its Empire Wind project. All three projects are under construction, with Revolution Wind nearly 90% complete and Empire Wind over 60% complete. Consistent with prior legal actions opposing the administration’s efforts to halt offshore wind development, the complaints allege that the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) order of December 22, 2025 (which the plaintiffs claim is costing them millions of dollars for each day the projects are on hold), is illegal and that the DOI’s alleged national security justification for the orders is baseless and pretextual. The developers are backed by the Attorneys General of Connecticut and Rhode Island, who filed their own actions to block the shutdowns. Those cases are now consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. To date, federal courts have been receptive to arguments raised by both developers and the states that are relying on offshore generation. Ørsted successfully brought suit in the District of Columbia challenging the DOI’s prior efforts to block Revolution Wind, and on December 8, 2025, a federal court in Massachusetts ruled that the administration’s blanket ban on permit application review of wind projects was illegal. Ørsted’s prior action in the District of Columbia was heard by Judge Royce Lamberth, who will preside over the newly consolidated cases.  An initial hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026.

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The Release Report #9: Closure Documentation and DEEP Review

This is the ninth in a series of blog posts discussing key features of Connecticut’s new release-based cleanup regulations (the “RBCRs”), R.C.S.A. § 22a-134tt-1 et seq.  The final task in the remediation process is documenting that remediation is complete, and no further action is required. This post discusses the documentation requirements under the RBCRs, and how they differ from documentation requirements under the Transfer Act. Verification Under the Transfer Act First, a review of current procedures under the Connecticut Transfer Act will set the stage. The Transfer Act requires a site-wide investigation and remediation effort. Through this process, all “areas of concern” where a release occurred or may have occurred are investigated and, if needed, remediated. When that is done, a Licensed Environmental Professional, or LEP, prepares a document called a Verification. Typically, the Verification attests that the entire parcel has been investigated in accordance with prevailing standards and guidelines, and that the establishment has been remediated in accordance with the remediation standards. When work is complete at a specific geographic portion of the site (but remains underway at other portions) an LEP can prepare a Verification for just the completed portion of the site and save the remainder of the site for later Verifications. Ultimately, efforts at all portions of the Transfer Act establishment parcel must be closed through Verification reports. After the Verification is submitted, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) may initiate an audit of the Verification within one year after it is submitted. If there is no audit, or if DEEP is satisfied after the audit, then the Verification stands and the Transfer Act process is complete.  Release Remediation Closure Reports In contrast to the Transfer Act, the RBCRs do not require a site-wide effort. Instead, the RBCRs require that releases be investigated and remediated as they are discovered (see our prior post on Discovery of an Existing Release). Consequently, documentation will be developed and submitted on a release-by-release basis.  Under the RBCRs, documentation that a release has been remediated to the extent required will be provided in a “release remediation closure report.” The RBCRs provide a list of the information the release remediation closure report must include, and further detail is provided in the companion blog post. Release remediation closure reports may be prepared by either a LEP or, for less-impactful releases, a Permitted Environmental Professional or PEP. We discussed PEPs in a prior blog post on Immediate Actions. Release remediation closure reports, and other records (like the tier checklist form discussed in a prior post on Oversight Tiers), will be subject to audit by DEEP, as Verifications are now. The audit process will look a little different under the RBCRs, however. Under the Transfer Act, DEEP audits the final Verification report submitted at the end of the remediation process. DEEP does not audit interim documents like Completion of Investigation reports, although the audit of the final Verification may bring to light issues with those interim documents. By contrast, under the RBCRs, DEEP can audit the release remediation closure report and any other reports required to be signed off by an LEP or certified by a PEP. In other words, interim documents like tier checklists can be audited. In another change from the Transfer Act, the RBCRs set forth different levels of DEEP review and audit. A screening audit is an administrative review by DEEP performed within 180 days after a release record (like a release remediation closure report, tier checklist, or other document) is submitted. This screening audit may commence and be conducted without notice to the LEP, PEP, or other responsible party.  DEEP may reject a release record after a screening audit and notify the LEP, PEP, or other responsible party that a new release record is required. A focused audit is the review of a single release record and may address the entire record or focus on specific areas.  These may be selected at random or identified through screening audits. Notice is provided, which must include identification of additional information necessary for DEEP to determine compliance. A focused audit may result in acceptance of the release record, the order for a more detailed full audit, or outright rejection of the release record. A full audit is a review of several or all of the release records associated with a release. This also involves notice and identification of additional information needed. Such a full audit can result in DEEP rejecting one or more of the release records and requiring resubmission. Transfer Act Sites After March 1, 2026 For sites that are enrolled in the Transfer Act before March 1, 2026, the site-wide investigation and remediation process discussed above will still be required after March 1. As noted above, Transfer Act Verifications typically apply to the entire parcel, but Verifications may be filed for a portion of the parcel if that portion has been fully investigated and remediated. A statutory change in the 2025 legislative session broadens this “portion verification” concept to permit remediation of a Transfer Act site to be documented in a release-by-release manner. Public Act 25-54 provides that any Certifying Party (i.e., the person responsible for completing work on a Transfer Act site) may complete site-wide investigation as required under the Transfer Act and submit to DEEP a report that catalogues each release identified by such site-wide investigation. Once all releases at a site have been catalogued, they can be closed one by one through submission of release remediation closure reports. After all releases have been closed, the Certifying Party may then request from DEEP a letter confirming that all releases have been closed and that Transfer Act work is complete. While this pathway may not be of interest to all Certifying Parties, it might be useful at sites with multiple Certifying Parties who want to more clearly define which party is working on which release areas.

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Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back Into The Water – Trump Administration Halts Offshore Wind Projects

On December 22, citing security concerns, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced that it was pausing leases for all offshore wind projects currently under construction. The stop-work order blocks further construction of Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind 1. All five projects had obtained leases during the Biden administration. Vineyard Wind 1 is already partially operational, with nearly half of the project’s 62 turbines generating electricity. Both Empire Wind and Revolution Wind were the subject of prior stop-work orders, but following negotiations with the Trump administration in the case of Empire Wind and litigation in the case of Revolution Wind, both projects had resumed construction. Currently, only two small wind farms in U.S. coastal waters are fully operational – Block Island Wind off the coast of Rhode Island with five turbines and South Fork Wind off the coast of New York with twelve turbines. In announcing the work stoppage, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum claimed that “recently completed classified reports” by the Department of Defense (DOD) identified possible radar interference as a potential security risk. Project proponents have noted that the project permitting process included review and approval by the DOD. This latest stop work order will likely be challenged. Earlier this month, a federal court in Massachusetts ruled that the administration’s ban on the review of offshore wind permits, a policy announced when President Trump took office, was illegal. There, the court determined that in the absence of a clearly articulated rationale beyond the President’s personal contempt for wind turbines, the offshore ban was arbitrary and capricious and a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). While the DOI’s new stop work order cites emerging national security concerns, a federal court may ultimately need to determine whether it, too, violates the APA. In the meantime, approximately $25 billion worth of projects and an estimated 10,000 jobs face an uncertain future.

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The Release Report #8: Remediation Standards and Regulations

This is the eighth in a series of blog posts discussing key features of Connecticut’s new release-based cleanup regulations (the “RBCRs”), R.C.S.A. § 22a-134tt-1 et seq.  As remediation projects are planned and performed, the big question is: “How clean is clean enough?” This post discusses remediation standards under the RBCRs, and how those standards will change from the standards in use today. Sites being remediated under the Transfer Act must achieve compliance with the Remediation Standard Regulations or RSRs set forth at R.C.S.A. § 22a-133k-1 et seq. The RSRs set forth the concentrations of various substances that are permitted to be present in soil and groundwater.  These standards vary depending on context. For example, at a site that is limited to industrial or commercial use, soil contamination is permitted at higher levels than would be the case for a site that might be in residential use. This is because soil standards are set based on exposure assumptions, and a child playing in the yard would have greater exposure to soil than an adult at work. Similarly, when a site has groundwater that is used or may be used as drinking water, the standards are more stringent than when the groundwater has already been deemed not suitable for drinking. The RSRs also provide a number of pathways to compliance that serve as alternatives to achieving the numerical standards set forth in the regulations. For example, soil that is contaminated above the numerical criteria is permitted to remain in place, subject to a restriction recorded on the land records called an environmental use restriction (or EUR), when it is under a building and therefore protected from human exposure and movement caused by rain. These familiar features of the RSRs will remain in place after March 1, 2026. In fact, substantially all of the text of the RSRs will be moved from where it currently resides in R.C.S.A. § 22a-133k-1 et seq. to the new RBCRs at R.C.S.A. § 22a-133tt-1 et seq. The existing RSR sections will be replaced with a cross-reference to the new location in the RBCRs where substantially the same text will reside.  In other words, sites being remediated under the Transfer Act, and releases being remediated under the RBCRs, will be working toward the same set of standards. Changes to Remediation Standards and Approaches There are a few changes being made to the remediation standards as we transition from the RSRs to the RBCRs. In addition to the familiar residential and commercial/industrial categories, the RBCRs provide numerical soil standards for two new land use categories: Managed Multifamily: The managed multifamily criteria will be available for parcels with 4 or more dwelling units, provided such dwelling units are managed by an association or a professional property management company. The idea is that such a professional management company can provide rules (like no vegetable gardening for example), intended to keep people safe from residual soil contamination. Passive Recreation: The passive recreation criteria apply to sites subject to an environmental use restriction or conservation easement prohibiting any residential use except passive recreation. Currently, recreation is considered to be a residential activity. Therefore, a property traversed by a bike trail would not be eligible for industrial/commercial standards, because the bike trail would be said to constitute a residential use. Passive recreation is recreation that uses trails or roads for activities such as running, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Use of specific areas for a sustained period of time, like sports fields and beaches, are not considered passive recreation. Once again, the idea is that these sorts of low-touch activities are less risky than true residential use of property.  The RBCRs also provide a streamlined process for allowing certain impacted soil to remain in place if it is inaccessible under a building, or a concrete or asphalt surface. If specified criteria are met, such soil can remain in place provided the property owner maintains the covering in good condition, regularly inspects it, provides reports on its maintenance, and properly manages soil that might be exposed during a maintenance activity. An affidavit explaining the situation must be recorded on the land records, but this is expected to be a simpler process than the process required to secure an environmental use restriction. A similar streamlined pathway is available to allow on-site management of historically impacted material, i.e., soil that has been historically intermixed with coal ash, wood ash, coal fragments, coal slag, coal clinkers, or asphalt paving fragments. With that context, we can clear up a common source of confusion. Many have wondered if the RBCRs are applicable to Transfer Act sites. While certain provisions of the RBCRs are not applicable to Transfer Act sites (like reporting and tiering), the remediation standards of the RBCRs, including the new provisions, are applicable to Transfer Act sites. In our next posts, we will discuss closure documentation.

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EPA Issues “Compliance First” Memo: Key Takeaways for Regulated Entities

On December 5, 2025, Craig J. Pritzlaff, Acting Assistant Administrator of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), issued an internal memorandum instituting a “Compliance First” approach, immediately effective for all civil enforcement and compliance activities. This memo claims to introduce a policy shift: prioritizing timely and effective compliance over punitive enforcement and expansive regulatory interpretations. EPA’s goal is clear, swift, and efficient compliance, achieved by the “clearest, most defensible interpretations of our statutory and regulatory mandates.” Key Elements of the “Compliance First” Policy Compliance Assistance ToolkitEnforcement is not the only tool. Proactive outreach, technical assistance, voluntary audits, and self-reporting are highlighted as means to encourage regulated entities to “find and fix” issues before enforcement becomes necessary. State and Tribal CoordinationThe EPA is committed to deferential, collaborative engagement with authorized states and tribes. Civil enforcement activities will avoid duplication and promote consistency by coordinating closely with local agencies, providing them with technical support, and ensuring states lead where they have primary jurisdiction. Transparent Communication and “No Surprises”Open, transparent dialogue is mandated throughout inspections and enforcement. The EPA pledges a “no surprises” approach and wants regulated entities to proactively identify and address potential compliance issues, building trust, and avoiding unexpected enforcement escalation. Clarity and Legal Precision in FindingsFindings of violation must be “clear and unambiguous” and based on the “best reading” of statutes and regulations. Expansive or creative interpretations that create uncertainty or deviate from precedent are expressly rejected, especially in light of recent Supreme Court decisions. Material legal ambiguities must be elevated to national EPA leadership for resolution, ensuring consistent application across regions. Timely and Efficient ComplianceEPA staff are directed to focus on rapid resolution of violations, with compliance – not punishment – as the North Star. Prolonged or punitive strategies are deemphasized to avoid delaying environmental protection and economic operations. Formal enforcement and injunctive relief (such as administrative or judicial action) will be used only when informal or compliance assistance measures are insufficient or in emergencies. Remedies must be narrowly tailored, directly tied to specific violations, and based on clear legal requirements. EPA’s April 26, 2021 memorandum (Using All Appropriate Injunctive Relief Tools in Civil Enforcement Settlements), which focused on expansive injunctive measures and supplemental environmental projects (SEPs), is also rescinded, pending new guidance. OECA Assistant Administrator approval is required for non-standard remedies like third-party audits. Reasoned, Transparent Decisions Using LEAPSThe memo introduces the LEAPS framework for enforcement decisions: Law: Use the clearest statutory/regulatory interpretation; Evidence: Rely on solid, unequivocal facts; Analysis: Apply logic and connect facts with law; Programmatic Impact: Consider effects on EPA programs; and Stakeholder Impact: Assess how actions affect states, tribes, and regulated entities The memo states that EPA is aiming for transparent, reasoned decisions anchored in LEAPS to make enforcement predictable and defensible. Practical Implications for the Regulated Community Potential for more opportunities for rapid, voluntary compliance and proactive technical assistance. Legal disputes over novel or ambiguous regulatory interpretations should be elevated to national leadership, potentially providing regulated entities with a new escalation pathway. Formal remedies such as SEPs and wide-ranging monitoring should be restricted, and enforcement actions should now be both more predictable and tied tightly to statutory requirements. EPA will soon issue a single guidance document to harmonize enforcement practices agency-wide, offering more clarity and consistency for regulated parties. Final Thoughts While this “new” policy shares similarities with prior EPA enforcement guidance and does not create legally binding rights, the intent appears to portray a shift in EPA enforcement philosophy to prioritizing clarity, efficiency, and cooperation over adversarial posturing or creative statutory interpretations. While it is too early to know what practical implications this will have for enforcement actions, EPA’s memo is a helpful reminder for regulated entities to review their compliance programs, prepare for inspections, and document legal positions carefully to align with the “best reading” standard now embedded in EPA practice.

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Court Knocks the Wind out of Trump Administration’s Offshore Ban

On December 8, 2025, a Massachusetts federal court ruled that the Trump administration’s ban on permit application review for offshore and onshore wind projects was illegal.  While the ruling will not necessarily result in the issuance of new permits, it lifts the moratorium on review and processing of applications. In May 2025, a coalition of 17 states, the District of Columbia, and the Alliance for Clean Energy filed suit in federal court to overturn an executive order announced in the early days of the administration that placed all federal permitting of wind projects on hold. In granting plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment, Judge Patti Saris agreed that the executive order was arbitrary and capricious, in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).  The administration had argued both that the executive order was a lawful action within the President’s authority to set energy policy and the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue. The court was not persuaded.  Defendants overcame the administration’s standing challenge by providing adequate evidence of ongoing or imminent injuries due to the moratorium, including project delays and the states’ inability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With a “scant” administrative record to review, Judge Saris then determined that because “the sole factor the defendants considered in deciding to stop issuing permits was the president’s direction to do so,” the Government had not reasonably considered all relevant issues or reasonably explained its decision, as required by the APA. The administration may appeal the decision. Even if the ruling withstands a challenge, it will not result in fast tracking or green-lighting new permit applications. While the administration can no longer decline to consider wind projects pursuant to the executive order, nothing compels federal agencies to approve them.

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Firm Highlights

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Dana Horton Ascends to Presidency of Rhode Island Bar Association
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Robinson+Cole Expands National Platform with Four Lateral Partners

Robinson+Cole announced the addition of four lateral partners—J. Zachary Balasko, Eric Del Pozo, Brya M. Keilson and Victor R. Salgado, accelerating the firm’s continued investment in the growth of its national bankruptcy and business litigation capabilities. Balasko and Keilson join the firm’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group in Washington, DC, and Wilmington, DE, respectively, while Del Pozo and Salgado join the Business Litigation group in Hartford, CT, and Washington, DC. These strategic hires enhance the firm’s ability to serve clients navigating complex, high‑stakes bankruptcy, restructuring, government enforcement, and related litigation matters nationwide and expand the firm’s depth and reach across key markets. “These additions meaningfully reinforce the depth and versatility of our business litigation and restructuring platform and reflect a deliberate approach to strengthening these areas in ways that directly benefit our clients,” said J. Michael Wirvin, the firm’s Managing Partner. “Eric, Zak, Brya, and Victor each bring sophisticated experience and sound judgment that enhance our ability to advise clients through some of their most critical and challenging matters. Their arrival reflects our continued focus on building cohesive, multi-disciplinary teams with capabilities that extend across multiple markets.” J. Zachary Balasko joins the firm as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations partner based in Washington, DC. His practice focuses on complex Chapter 11 cases and bankruptcy‑related litigation across the country, representing debtors, secured creditors, creditors’ committees, and governmental entities. Balasko brings substantial experience from both private practice and prior service with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he handled major insolvency matters involving federal interests. Eric Del Pozo joins Robinson+Cole’s Hartford, CT office as a Business Litigation partner focusing on complex commercial litigation and appellate matters, representing businesses and public entities in regulated industries in high-stakes and sophisticated disputes. Del Pozo brings experience from senior roles in government and private practice, where he has represented clients at both the trial and appellate levels. Brya Keilson joins Robinson+Cole as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations partner in the firm’s Wilmington, DE office, one of the nation’s leading venues for complex bankruptcy proceeding . She represents debtors, creditors, committees, trustees, and other parties in interest in sophisticated Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases. Keilson is widely experienced in contested bankruptcy matters and frequently advises clients on both strategic and practical considerations throughout the restructuring process. Victor Salgado joins Robinson+Cole as a Business Litigation partner in the firm’s Washington, DC office. He brings significant experience from both government and private practice, including eight years as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC, where he handled high‑profile and complex cases focusing on public corruption as well as crimes involving financial institutions. Salgado will also work closely with the firm’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group on contested matters arising in complex restructurings and related litigation. In addition, Destiney Parker-Thompson joins the firm as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations associate in the Wilmington office. Parker‑Thompson focuses her practice on bankruptcy, restructuring, and related litigation matters, drawing on experience representing debtors, creditors, and financial institutions in complex Chapter 11 cases. She previously served as a judicial law clerk to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, bringing valuable insight to sophisticated restructuring matters. Robinson+Cole’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group has recently been recognized for its role in several of the most complex and precedent‑setting restructuring matters in the country, earning multiple national honors for its work in high‑profile Chapter 11 cases and related litigation. The group has guided stakeholders through landmark proceedings—including award‑recognized reorganizations, a first‑of‑its‑kind bankruptcy confirmed with a Section 524(g) injunction, and other transformative restructurings—reflecting the team’s ability to deliver strategic, results‑driven counsel in matters with significant legal and financial implications.

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Mosaic Companies Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Chapter 11 Representation

Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 case of Mosaic Companies, LLC, a luxury wall and tile company headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia. Mosaic and its affiliates filed for bankruptcy due to market pressures and silica liability affecting certain affiliates - the first bankruptcy to address silica exposure arising from marble installation. 

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Kate Dion and Natale DiNatale Examine the Legal Questions Raised By Sorsby Injunction

Education industry team chair Kathleen Dion and Labor Relations group chair Natale DiNatale discussed the potential ramifications on the NCAA and college athletes in the article, “NCAA to appeal Brendan Sorsby injunction. What it means and how it can win,” published in USA Today, June 8, 2026. Kate pointed out that the injunction is a temporary measure. “This decision is only a preliminary ruling and is subject to appeal. Unless it is overturned, the injunction preserves Sorsby’s opportunity to compete this fall while the underlying case proceeds and allows him to continue preparing for a potential NFL career. For the NCAA, the ruling raises questions about the extent to which courts may review and potentially limit the enforcement of eligibility and competitive-integrity rules in individual cases.”  She continued, “It is also important to recognize that this is one state trial court decision, not a final decision on the merits, and thus its precedential value may be limited. While the court found that Sorsby demonstrated a probable right to the relief that he seeks on his breach of contract and other claims, which is a necessary element for obtaining a temporary injunction — the order does not appear to provide a detailed explanation of the court’s reasoning on that issue. As a result, many of the legal questions raised by the case are likely to remain the subject of further litigation and possible appellate review.” Discussing the foundation of the claim, Natale said, “The underlying dispute looks like a claim that the NCAA failed to accommodate a disability (e.g. an ADA claim based on a gambling addiction). But, it was brought as a breach of contract claim. A contract claim can be brought and maybe kept, in state court, which is likely a friendlier forum for this athlete.” Read the article.

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Food52 Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Chapter 11 Representation

Selected as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Food52, owner of a food and beverage ecommerce website, Dansk Designs, and the Schoolhouse brands, in it's chapter 11 case pending in the District of Delaware. 

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Robinson+Cole Expands Philadelphia Office at Landmark Liberty Place
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Major Creditor Claims Bar Date and Chapter 11 Dispute Representation

Represented a major Italian-based company, in connection with its dispute with Powin Energy Corporation following Powin's chapter 11 filing in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, including matters relating to the applicable claims bar date. 

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Robinson+Cole Recognized Across Practices and Regions with 46 Chambers USA 2026 Rankings
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Robinson+Cole Recognized at 2026 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards
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Robinson+Cole Unites Multidisciplinary Sports Capabilities Under New Industry Team

Today, Robinson+Cole announced the formalization of its Professional + Collegiate Sports industry team, bringing together attorneys and professionals from the firm’s Immigration, Labor + Employment, Litigation, Education, Real Estate, Construction Law, Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, and Artificial Intelligence practices. The team draws on the firm’s extensive experience in these areas to provide coordinated counsel to sports leagues and teams, institutions, talent—athletes and coaches, investors, and sports-related businesses as they navigate issues involving name, image, and likeness (NIL), Title IX compliance, global mobility and sports tourism, media rights, private investment, emerging technologies, venue development, and the continued growth of women’s sports. "The sports industry represents an estimated $2.3 trillion global economy, and its continued growth is creating both opportunities and complexity across professional and collegiate athletics," said Robert C. Seiger, Chair of the new team. "As the sports industry continues to evolve, clients are increasingly seeking counsel that spans multiple disciplines and aligns with their broader strategic objectives. The formalization of this team reflects that demand and our commitment to serving clients across the sports ecosystem through an integrated approach." The team's focus will center on three strategic areas: Sports Immigration and Talent Mobility: Visa strategy, athlete and coach immigration, executive movement, global talent support, compliance, and mobility planning. Sports Venues, Infrastructure, and Development: Stadium and arena projects, training facilities, leasing and real estate transactions, construction and infrastructure matters, public and private financing, naming rights, sponsorship arrangements, and land use considerations. Collegiate Athletics and Institutional Risk Management: NIL matters, Title IX compliance, eligibility issues, employment matters, governance, investigations, litigation, licensing, and institutional risk management. Robinson+Cole's work spans athlete and executive mobility, intellectual property protection, commercial transactions, venue development, employment matters, investigations, litigation, and regulatory compliance. Representative matters include providing immigration and mobility services for NHL, NFL, MLS, and NWSL organizations, obtaining an industry-first O-1 visa for an IndyCar race team, representing professional race drivers and teams, managing trademark matters for high-profile sports figures, advising a WNBA organization on the design and construction of a new training facility, and handling real estate and leasing matters involving major sports properties. "This team reflects Robinson+Cole’s significant strength and capability across multiple disciplines to address the full range of issues facing sports organizations," said J. Michael Wirvin, the firm’s Managing Partner. "Many of the challenges in today’s sports industry do not fit neatly within a single practice area. By formalizing this effort, we are creating a more coordinated experience for clients while positioning the firm to continue growing alongside this dynamic industry." Beyond its client work, Robinson+Cole is actively engaged in advancing the sports industry through leadership, scholarship, and engagement. Team members regularly contribute to national conversations on emerging sports law developments and are frequently sought by media outlets for commentary on issues affecting professional and collegiate athletics, most recently USA Today and the Sports Business Journal. They also participate in leading industry organizations, such as the Sports Lawyers Association, where Seiger currently serves as Chair of the Immigration Committee. The firm is recognized for its role at the intersection of sports and global talent mobility.

News
Dana Horton Ascends to Presidency of Rhode Island Bar Association
News
Robinson+Cole Expands National Platform with Four Lateral Partners

Robinson+Cole announced the addition of four lateral partners—J. Zachary Balasko, Eric Del Pozo, Brya M. Keilson and Victor R. Salgado, accelerating the firm’s continued investment in the growth of its national bankruptcy and business litigation capabilities. Balasko and Keilson join the firm’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group in Washington, DC, and Wilmington, DE, respectively, while Del Pozo and Salgado join the Business Litigation group in Hartford, CT, and Washington, DC. These strategic hires enhance the firm’s ability to serve clients navigating complex, high‑stakes bankruptcy, restructuring, government enforcement, and related litigation matters nationwide and expand the firm’s depth and reach across key markets. “These additions meaningfully reinforce the depth and versatility of our business litigation and restructuring platform and reflect a deliberate approach to strengthening these areas in ways that directly benefit our clients,” said J. Michael Wirvin, the firm’s Managing Partner. “Eric, Zak, Brya, and Victor each bring sophisticated experience and sound judgment that enhance our ability to advise clients through some of their most critical and challenging matters. Their arrival reflects our continued focus on building cohesive, multi-disciplinary teams with capabilities that extend across multiple markets.” J. Zachary Balasko joins the firm as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations partner based in Washington, DC. His practice focuses on complex Chapter 11 cases and bankruptcy‑related litigation across the country, representing debtors, secured creditors, creditors’ committees, and governmental entities. Balasko brings substantial experience from both private practice and prior service with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he handled major insolvency matters involving federal interests. Eric Del Pozo joins Robinson+Cole’s Hartford, CT office as a Business Litigation partner focusing on complex commercial litigation and appellate matters, representing businesses and public entities in regulated industries in high-stakes and sophisticated disputes. Del Pozo brings experience from senior roles in government and private practice, where he has represented clients at both the trial and appellate levels. Brya Keilson joins Robinson+Cole as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations partner in the firm’s Wilmington, DE office, one of the nation’s leading venues for complex bankruptcy proceeding . She represents debtors, creditors, committees, trustees, and other parties in interest in sophisticated Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases. Keilson is widely experienced in contested bankruptcy matters and frequently advises clients on both strategic and practical considerations throughout the restructuring process. Victor Salgado joins Robinson+Cole as a Business Litigation partner in the firm’s Washington, DC office. He brings significant experience from both government and private practice, including eight years as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC, where he handled high‑profile and complex cases focusing on public corruption as well as crimes involving financial institutions. Salgado will also work closely with the firm’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group on contested matters arising in complex restructurings and related litigation. In addition, Destiney Parker-Thompson joins the firm as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations associate in the Wilmington office. Parker‑Thompson focuses her practice on bankruptcy, restructuring, and related litigation matters, drawing on experience representing debtors, creditors, and financial institutions in complex Chapter 11 cases. She previously served as a judicial law clerk to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, bringing valuable insight to sophisticated restructuring matters. Robinson+Cole’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group has recently been recognized for its role in several of the most complex and precedent‑setting restructuring matters in the country, earning multiple national honors for its work in high‑profile Chapter 11 cases and related litigation. The group has guided stakeholders through landmark proceedings—including award‑recognized reorganizations, a first‑of‑its‑kind bankruptcy confirmed with a Section 524(g) injunction, and other transformative restructurings—reflecting the team’s ability to deliver strategic, results‑driven counsel in matters with significant legal and financial implications.

Experience
Mosaic Companies Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Chapter 11 Representation

Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 case of Mosaic Companies, LLC, a luxury wall and tile company headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia. Mosaic and its affiliates filed for bankruptcy due to market pressures and silica liability affecting certain affiliates - the first bankruptcy to address silica exposure arising from marble installation. 

News
Kate Dion and Natale DiNatale Examine the Legal Questions Raised By Sorsby Injunction

Education industry team chair Kathleen Dion and Labor Relations group chair Natale DiNatale discussed the potential ramifications on the NCAA and college athletes in the article, “NCAA to appeal Brendan Sorsby injunction. What it means and how it can win,” published in USA Today, June 8, 2026. Kate pointed out that the injunction is a temporary measure. “This decision is only a preliminary ruling and is subject to appeal. Unless it is overturned, the injunction preserves Sorsby’s opportunity to compete this fall while the underlying case proceeds and allows him to continue preparing for a potential NFL career. For the NCAA, the ruling raises questions about the extent to which courts may review and potentially limit the enforcement of eligibility and competitive-integrity rules in individual cases.”  She continued, “It is also important to recognize that this is one state trial court decision, not a final decision on the merits, and thus its precedential value may be limited. While the court found that Sorsby demonstrated a probable right to the relief that he seeks on his breach of contract and other claims, which is a necessary element for obtaining a temporary injunction — the order does not appear to provide a detailed explanation of the court’s reasoning on that issue. As a result, many of the legal questions raised by the case are likely to remain the subject of further litigation and possible appellate review.” Discussing the foundation of the claim, Natale said, “The underlying dispute looks like a claim that the NCAA failed to accommodate a disability (e.g. an ADA claim based on a gambling addiction). But, it was brought as a breach of contract claim. A contract claim can be brought and maybe kept, in state court, which is likely a friendlier forum for this athlete.” Read the article.

Experience
Food52 Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Chapter 11 Representation

Selected as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Food52, owner of a food and beverage ecommerce website, Dansk Designs, and the Schoolhouse brands, in it's chapter 11 case pending in the District of Delaware. 

News
Robinson+Cole Expands Philadelphia Office at Landmark Liberty Place
Experience
Major Creditor Claims Bar Date and Chapter 11 Dispute Representation

Represented a major Italian-based company, in connection with its dispute with Powin Energy Corporation following Powin's chapter 11 filing in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, including matters relating to the applicable claims bar date. 

News
Robinson+Cole Recognized Across Practices and Regions with 46 Chambers USA 2026 Rankings
News
Robinson+Cole Recognized at 2026 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards
News
Robinson+Cole Unites Multidisciplinary Sports Capabilities Under New Industry Team

Today, Robinson+Cole announced the formalization of its Professional + Collegiate Sports industry team, bringing together attorneys and professionals from the firm’s Immigration, Labor + Employment, Litigation, Education, Real Estate, Construction Law, Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, and Artificial Intelligence practices. The team draws on the firm’s extensive experience in these areas to provide coordinated counsel to sports leagues and teams, institutions, talent—athletes and coaches, investors, and sports-related businesses as they navigate issues involving name, image, and likeness (NIL), Title IX compliance, global mobility and sports tourism, media rights, private investment, emerging technologies, venue development, and the continued growth of women’s sports. "The sports industry represents an estimated $2.3 trillion global economy, and its continued growth is creating both opportunities and complexity across professional and collegiate athletics," said Robert C. Seiger, Chair of the new team. "As the sports industry continues to evolve, clients are increasingly seeking counsel that spans multiple disciplines and aligns with their broader strategic objectives. The formalization of this team reflects that demand and our commitment to serving clients across the sports ecosystem through an integrated approach." The team's focus will center on three strategic areas: Sports Immigration and Talent Mobility: Visa strategy, athlete and coach immigration, executive movement, global talent support, compliance, and mobility planning. Sports Venues, Infrastructure, and Development: Stadium and arena projects, training facilities, leasing and real estate transactions, construction and infrastructure matters, public and private financing, naming rights, sponsorship arrangements, and land use considerations. Collegiate Athletics and Institutional Risk Management: NIL matters, Title IX compliance, eligibility issues, employment matters, governance, investigations, litigation, licensing, and institutional risk management. Robinson+Cole's work spans athlete and executive mobility, intellectual property protection, commercial transactions, venue development, employment matters, investigations, litigation, and regulatory compliance. Representative matters include providing immigration and mobility services for NHL, NFL, MLS, and NWSL organizations, obtaining an industry-first O-1 visa for an IndyCar race team, representing professional race drivers and teams, managing trademark matters for high-profile sports figures, advising a WNBA organization on the design and construction of a new training facility, and handling real estate and leasing matters involving major sports properties. "This team reflects Robinson+Cole’s significant strength and capability across multiple disciplines to address the full range of issues facing sports organizations," said J. Michael Wirvin, the firm’s Managing Partner. "Many of the challenges in today’s sports industry do not fit neatly within a single practice area. By formalizing this effort, we are creating a more coordinated experience for clients while positioning the firm to continue growing alongside this dynamic industry." Beyond its client work, Robinson+Cole is actively engaged in advancing the sports industry through leadership, scholarship, and engagement. Team members regularly contribute to national conversations on emerging sports law developments and are frequently sought by media outlets for commentary on issues affecting professional and collegiate athletics, most recently USA Today and the Sports Business Journal. They also participate in leading industry organizations, such as the Sports Lawyers Association, where Seiger currently serves as Chair of the Immigration Committee. The firm is recognized for its role at the intersection of sports and global talent mobility.

News
Dana Horton Ascends to Presidency of Rhode Island Bar Association
News
Robinson+Cole Expands National Platform with Four Lateral Partners

Robinson+Cole announced the addition of four lateral partners—J. Zachary Balasko, Eric Del Pozo, Brya M. Keilson and Victor R. Salgado, accelerating the firm’s continued investment in the growth of its national bankruptcy and business litigation capabilities. Balasko and Keilson join the firm’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group in Washington, DC, and Wilmington, DE, respectively, while Del Pozo and Salgado join the Business Litigation group in Hartford, CT, and Washington, DC. These strategic hires enhance the firm’s ability to serve clients navigating complex, high‑stakes bankruptcy, restructuring, government enforcement, and related litigation matters nationwide and expand the firm’s depth and reach across key markets. “These additions meaningfully reinforce the depth and versatility of our business litigation and restructuring platform and reflect a deliberate approach to strengthening these areas in ways that directly benefit our clients,” said J. Michael Wirvin, the firm’s Managing Partner. “Eric, Zak, Brya, and Victor each bring sophisticated experience and sound judgment that enhance our ability to advise clients through some of their most critical and challenging matters. Their arrival reflects our continued focus on building cohesive, multi-disciplinary teams with capabilities that extend across multiple markets.” J. Zachary Balasko joins the firm as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations partner based in Washington, DC. His practice focuses on complex Chapter 11 cases and bankruptcy‑related litigation across the country, representing debtors, secured creditors, creditors’ committees, and governmental entities. Balasko brings substantial experience from both private practice and prior service with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he handled major insolvency matters involving federal interests. Eric Del Pozo joins Robinson+Cole’s Hartford, CT office as a Business Litigation partner focusing on complex commercial litigation and appellate matters, representing businesses and public entities in regulated industries in high-stakes and sophisticated disputes. Del Pozo brings experience from senior roles in government and private practice, where he has represented clients at both the trial and appellate levels. Brya Keilson joins Robinson+Cole as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations partner in the firm’s Wilmington, DE office, one of the nation’s leading venues for complex bankruptcy proceeding . She represents debtors, creditors, committees, trustees, and other parties in interest in sophisticated Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases. Keilson is widely experienced in contested bankruptcy matters and frequently advises clients on both strategic and practical considerations throughout the restructuring process. Victor Salgado joins Robinson+Cole as a Business Litigation partner in the firm’s Washington, DC office. He brings significant experience from both government and private practice, including eight years as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC, where he handled high‑profile and complex cases focusing on public corruption as well as crimes involving financial institutions. Salgado will also work closely with the firm’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group on contested matters arising in complex restructurings and related litigation. In addition, Destiney Parker-Thompson joins the firm as a Bankruptcy + Reorganizations associate in the Wilmington office. Parker‑Thompson focuses her practice on bankruptcy, restructuring, and related litigation matters, drawing on experience representing debtors, creditors, and financial institutions in complex Chapter 11 cases. She previously served as a judicial law clerk to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, bringing valuable insight to sophisticated restructuring matters. Robinson+Cole’s Bankruptcy + Reorganizations group has recently been recognized for its role in several of the most complex and precedent‑setting restructuring matters in the country, earning multiple national honors for its work in high‑profile Chapter 11 cases and related litigation. The group has guided stakeholders through landmark proceedings—including award‑recognized reorganizations, a first‑of‑its‑kind bankruptcy confirmed with a Section 524(g) injunction, and other transformative restructurings—reflecting the team’s ability to deliver strategic, results‑driven counsel in matters with significant legal and financial implications.

Experience
Mosaic Companies Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Chapter 11 Representation

Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 case of Mosaic Companies, LLC, a luxury wall and tile company headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia. Mosaic and its affiliates filed for bankruptcy due to market pressures and silica liability affecting certain affiliates - the first bankruptcy to address silica exposure arising from marble installation. 

News
Kate Dion and Natale DiNatale Examine the Legal Questions Raised By Sorsby Injunction

Education industry team chair Kathleen Dion and Labor Relations group chair Natale DiNatale discussed the potential ramifications on the NCAA and college athletes in the article, “NCAA to appeal Brendan Sorsby injunction. What it means and how it can win,” published in USA Today, June 8, 2026. Kate pointed out that the injunction is a temporary measure. “This decision is only a preliminary ruling and is subject to appeal. Unless it is overturned, the injunction preserves Sorsby’s opportunity to compete this fall while the underlying case proceeds and allows him to continue preparing for a potential NFL career. For the NCAA, the ruling raises questions about the extent to which courts may review and potentially limit the enforcement of eligibility and competitive-integrity rules in individual cases.”  She continued, “It is also important to recognize that this is one state trial court decision, not a final decision on the merits, and thus its precedential value may be limited. While the court found that Sorsby demonstrated a probable right to the relief that he seeks on his breach of contract and other claims, which is a necessary element for obtaining a temporary injunction — the order does not appear to provide a detailed explanation of the court’s reasoning on that issue. As a result, many of the legal questions raised by the case are likely to remain the subject of further litigation and possible appellate review.” Discussing the foundation of the claim, Natale said, “The underlying dispute looks like a claim that the NCAA failed to accommodate a disability (e.g. an ADA claim based on a gambling addiction). But, it was brought as a breach of contract claim. A contract claim can be brought and maybe kept, in state court, which is likely a friendlier forum for this athlete.” Read the article.

Experience
Food52 Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors Chapter 11 Representation

Selected as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Food52, owner of a food and beverage ecommerce website, Dansk Designs, and the Schoolhouse brands, in it's chapter 11 case pending in the District of Delaware. 

News
Robinson+Cole Expands Philadelphia Office at Landmark Liberty Place