Reid and Riege, P.C.

John understands that deal attributes such as risk tolerance, levels of contamination, and financing can vary widely and, therefore that assembling the optimum deal requires knowledge, communication, drafting and negotiation skills, which John brings to every deal.  To better serve clients, John takes a comprehensive approach and familiarizes himself with the details of each transaction and makes sure to explain both the possible options and the attendant risks.  For example, he not only identifies required permits, but he also assists with permit applications and works with clients to address compliance issues.

In addition, John’s experience allows him to be able to assess the likelihood of different outcomes in administrative hearings and court proceedings and to convey risks and benefits to his clients.  John prides himself on being able to fashion a legal strategy that is economical and specific to each client’s needs.

Representative Experience

• Represented a large publicly-traded petroleum company in the acquisition and sale of over $100 million of single and multiple retail gasoline and convenience stores, and the leasing of such locations. 
• Represented a national wireless carrier in the review of environmental reports resulting in site modification recommendations to minimize potential environmental harm for over 200 new cell locations, including new towers and rooftop locations.
• Assisted a nonprofit client with the acquisition of a brownfield site, including obtaining state grants and low-interest loans for the investigation and remediation of contamination, and reviewing and negotiating contracts with subcontractors performing environmental work.
• Litigated a case involving a $4 million real property tax assessment, where, after multiple days of appraisal expert testimony, the court rendered a judgment accepting in full the client’s appraisal of the property value, saving the client over $100,000 in taxes over five years.
• Successfully defended the owner of a large office tower against claims by the State Department of Health and the DEEP that renovation activities violated asbestos regulations. 
• Regularly represents clients in appeals of real property tax assessments by Connecticut municipalities. 
• Represents numerous clients that are interested in the purchase and development of brownfield properties. 
• Assists in-house counsel with numerous environmental matters, including the drafting of environmental terms and conditions in transaction documents, the investigation of releases, the remediation of historic contamination, and compliance with state, federal and local regulations.

Admissions

• State of Connecticut
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
• U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
• U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

Education

• Vermont Law School, J.D. (magna cum laude)
• University of Vermont, B.S.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Connecticut Bar Association, Conservation & Environmental Quality Section
• Massachusetts Bar Association
• Boston Bar Association
• Environmental Professionals’ Organization of Connecticut
• Connecticut Environmental Forum
• American Chemical Society
• Real Estate Finance Association of Connecticut (REFA)
• Connecticut Power and Energy Society
• Connecticut Veterans Legal Center
  • Board of Directors, Member (2009-2016)
  • Board of Directors, President (2014)
• Waterford Connecticut Planning and Zoning Commission, Member (2017 – present)

Honors & Awards

• The Best Lawyers in America® for Energy Law, Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental (2006-2011, 2018-2021)
• Connecticut Super Lawyers® for Environmental (2007-2020)
• Chambers USA (2007-2010, 2016-2018), Leading environmental attorney in Connecticut

Publications & Speaking Engagements

John has been a speaker on topics including nanomaterials, environmental issues, environmental audits, and real property transactions.