Menu
Michael Leon, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP Photo

Michael A. Leon

Chair, Environmental Regulatory and Compliance Practice Group / Boston

Overview

Michael A. Leon is a partner in Nutter's Real Estate Department, and a member of the Development, Land Use and Permitting practice group. His practice is concentrated in the areas of environmental, land use, zoning, municipal and real estate law.

Michael's environmental practice includes the representation of municipalities, public authorities and business entities in infrastructure development, wastewater regulation, water supply, wetlands and waterfront development, solid waste, and other regulatory matters. He counsels commercial and industrial clients in all aspects of environmental regulation.

He was the court-appointed receiver responsible for closing a large solid waste disposal facility in eastern Massachusetts, which has been transformed into a large public open space and recreation facility. On behalf of redevelopment and transportation authorities, he has managed land assembly, remediation and redevelopment projects which have included multi-modal transportation facilities, industrial and office parks, and recreational facilities. He also serves as a manager and trustee on behalf of energy and industrial clients to manage the remediation, redevelopment and disposition of contaminated properties.

In the area of waterfront regulation and development, Michael has represented public and private clients in the permitting of major infrastructure facilities, such as regional transportation facilities, passenger and cargo facilities, seaport and terminal dredging projects, and wastewater treatment facilities.

Michael has been a member of NAIOP’s Executive Committee, served as chair of the Regulatory Committee of the Massachusetts Clean Water Council, past chairman of the Boston Bar Association's Solid Waste Committee, and is co-chair of the Private Bar Campaign of MetroWest Legal Services. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

Experience

Experience

  • Private Investment Firm

    Nutter represented a private investment firm specializing in energy infrastructure investments when it sought to purchase two natural gas power plants. Nutter assisted with the due diligence review and negotiation of the purchase and sale agreement. The private investment firm initially engaged Nutter to focus on state environmental, real estate, and energy issues. As negotiations progressed, Nutter advised the firm on tax, labor, employee benefits, and other contractual issues as well.

  • Delaware North

    Nutter represented Delaware North, one of the largest privately-held global hospitality and food service companies in the world, when it expanded its portfolio of resorts into Massachusetts by acquiring the Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Cape Cod in July, 2016.

  • Represented major regional wastewater districts and authorities in connection with facility permitting, construction and regulatory enforcement

    Represented major regional wastewater districts and authorities in connection with facility permitting, construction and regulatory enforcement, including Industrial Pretreatment permitting, facility expansion, intermunicipal agreements, stormwater regulation and enforcement litigation. Recent matters include successful resolution of EPA enforcement actions and renegotiation of administrative orders.

  • Obtained state permits and approvals for the mixed-use development on the South Boston Waterfront

    Obtained state permits and approvals for a mixed-use development on the South Boston Waterfront, containing restaurants, offices and transient boating slips.

  • Development of waterfront hotels, restaurants and marinas

    Obtained state and local approvals for several projects, including a waterfront hotel, waterfront restaurants, marina redevelopment and other commercial and water-dependent uses. These activities included adjudicatory proceedings and judicial review of state permits and licenses.

  • Obtained permits and approvals for major marine and air freight terminal within a Designated Port Area in Boston

    Obtained permits and approvals for major marine and air freight terminal within a Designated Port Area in Boston. Representation included successful defense of administrative and judicial appeals.

  • Drafted the governing agreements for the permitting of mixed-use development projects

    Drafted the governing agreements for the permitting of mixed-use development projects on public authority owned properties in South Boston and East Boston.

  • Development of regional transportation facility within federal superfund site

    Land assembly, public entity formation and development of a regional commuter rail, bus and MassDOT facility within a federal superfund site, involving brownfield redevelopment agreements with state and federal agencies.

  • Development of transportation center for regional transportation agency

    Developed parking garage, commuter rail and regional bus transportation center with retail space for regional transportation agency and Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority.

  • Represented regional transit authority with major development

    Represented Regional Transit Authority in connection with the development of a parking garage serving MassDOT commuter rail station and housing development in downtown Haverhill.

  • Represented major petroleum companies in facilities permitting, development and enforcement

    Represented major petroleum companies in facilities permitting, development and enforcement, including comprehensive air quality permitting, dredging, site remediation, infrastructure improvements and dredging, and wastewater management. Current work includes preparation for pending bio-fuels requirements, and representation in connection with assessment and remediation under state and federal programs.

  • Court-appointed receiver responsible for the assessment, closure and redevelopment of a large landfill

    Served as a court-appointed receiver responsible for the assessment, closure and redevelopment of a large landfill in Middleton, MA, now redeveloped as a multi-use active recreational complex and park. In addition to several litigation actions, the scope included substantial financial and operational management of the facility, generating substantial funds returned to state and local governments.

  • Represented energy facility developers in acquisition, and expansion of power facilities

    Represented energy facility developers in acquisition, and expansion of power facilities. Work has included renegotiation of host agreements, modification of state and federal air permits, renegotiation of interconnection agreements and other operational agreements.

  • Represented parties in solid waste facility siting, permitting and enforcement

    Represented parties in solid waste facility siting, permitting and enforcement. This work includes restructuring host community agreements, participation in site assignment and related regulatory proceedings, and representing parties in DEP enforcement actions.

News & Insights

News

Honors

Honors

  • Chambers USA, Leading U.S. Environmental Attorney, 2003-2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2017, 2019-2024
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2004-2023
  • Who's Who Legal: Environment, 2020
  • Super Lawyers Business Edition, 2011-2015
  • Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition, 2009

Education & Admissions

Education

Boston University School of Law, J.D.
Harvard University, M.C.R.P.
Clark University, B.A.

Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

In the Community

Michael has been a member of NAIOP’s Executive Committee, served as chair of the Regulatory Committee of the Massachusetts Clean Water Council, past chairman of the Boston Bar Association's Solid Waste Committee, and is co-chair of the Private Bar Campaign of MetroWest Legal Services. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

Noteworthy

  • Chambers USA, Leading U.S. Environmental Attorney, 2003-2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2017, 2019-2024
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2004-2023
  • Who's Who Legal: Environment, 2020
  • Super Lawyers Business Edition, 2011-2015
  • Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition, 2009
Back to Page