George W. Watson III

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    George Watson, a member of the firm's Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group, focuses his practice on energy, telecommunications, and utilities law. He handles a range of environmental, real estate, and land use concerns.

    Facility Siting

    George assists clients with the siting and permitting of energy, utility, and other infrastructure projects. He represents natural gas and electricity providers, and helps them secure permitting and approvals for installation of new transmission and distribution facilities. George also handles permitting and approvals for telecommunication facilities and renewable energy sites. He regularly appears before zoning and planning boards for municipalities throughout Rhode Island and before the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board.

    Environmental Land Use Restrictions

    His practice includes drafting and negotiating environmental land use restrictions in connection with the remediation of contaminated properties. George has successfully negotiated complex environmental land use restrictions with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on behalf of clients.

    Real Estate Transactions

    George represents clients in the acquisition, development, and disposition of commercial real property. He has represented a variety of clients, including developers, retailers, and academic institutions. He negotiates purchase and sale agreements, and conducts all due diligence related to zoning, title, and financing issues. His work in this area is often related to facility siting, as he handles property acquisitions, leasing, and easement rights that are needed for utility, telecommunication, and renewable energy projects.

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Represent a renewable energy developer in the acquisition and leasing of properties in  connection with the development of renewable energy sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

      • Negotiated complex environmental land use restrictions for contaminated properties in Connecticut.

      • Negotiated utility easements for commercial developments in Connecticut.

    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      American Bar Association
      Executive Committee of the Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section

      Connecticut Bar Association

      Rhode Island Bar Association
      Environmental Section

      Rhode Island Bar Foundation
      Fellow

      American Association of Blacks in Energy
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Energy Regulatory Law since 2021.

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      Grow Smart RI
      Board of Directors

      New England Legal Foundation
      Rhode Island Advisory Council

      Southside Community Land Trust
      Member, Board of Directors

      Puckihuddle Preschool
      Member, Board of Directors (2011 - 2018)
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Presenting a Case for Zoning Relief and Litigating a Zoning Case on Appeal," published in A Practical Guide to Land Use Law in Rhode Island (June 2017)
      • » more info

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Environmental Land Use Restrictions – Advanced Case Studies," in New Britain, Connecticut; program developed by the Environmental Professionals' Organization of Connecticut (EPOC) and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; repeat presentation of an earlier session in April 2015 (10/15/2015)

      "Environmental Land Use Restrictions – Advanced Case Studies," in New Britain, Connecticut, at advanced course program developed by the Environmental Professionals' Organization of Connecticut (EPOC) and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (4/9/2015)
      • » more info

      "Current Real Estate Issues and Trends," co-presented with Michele L. Maresca and Lauren M. Sigg, co-moderator of monthly webinar series sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of the Counselors of Real Estate and the University of Connecticut Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies (2010-2012)

      "Clean Water Act Update: Storm Water Permitting, Enforcement, and TMDLs," co-presented with Michele L. Maresca and Lauren M. Sigg, Environmental and Utilities Practice Group Roundtable (2009)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • August 25, 2022

        George Watson Appointed to New England Legal Foundation Rhode Island Advisory Council

        • » more info
        • View article
      • June 27, 2022

        Providence Lawyers Receive Distinctions During Rhode Island Bar Foundation and Association Annual Meetings

        • » more info
      • June 23, 2017

        Two Robinson+Cole Lawyers Contribute to Rhode Island Land Use Book

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      • June 6, 2016

        George Watson Elected to Grow Smart RI Board

        • » more info
      • November 10, 2015

        George Watson Presents at EPOC ELUR Seminar

        • » more info
      • October 5, 2015

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

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      • April 21, 2015

        George Watson Presents at EPOC Environmental Land Use Restrictions Seminar

        • » more info
      • November 13, 2014

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

        • » more info
      • April 11, 2014

        Providence Office Sponsors RICH's Annual Luncheon

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      • November 2, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Lawyers Participating in Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity Mentoring Program

      • December 2, 2010

        National Association of Realtors Honors LandLaw Partner and Firm

        • » more info
      • April 26, 2010

        Attorneys Represent Robinson & Cole at George W. Crawford Black Bar Association Annual Dinner

        • » more info

      R+C News Releases

      • August 17, 2023

        78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 18, 2022

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

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      • August 19, 2021

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

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 20, 2020

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

        • » more info
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      • December 11, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners

      • December 4, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners and Counsel

    • Legal Updates/Newsletters

      Legal Updates/Newsletters

      "New Compliance Obligations for Connecticut EURs" co-authored with Robert S. Melvin and Emilee Mooney Scott (4/16/2021)