David P. Rosenblatt
Partner | Chair, Environmental Law

overview
David Rosenblatt has been a leading attorney in environmental law for decades, learning it in detail since the major pieces of legislation were passed in the 1980s. His deep experience helps his clients – businesses, real estate developers, and property owners – navigate the intricacies of the pertinent laws and regulations. He is also a leader of the firm, having served as Managing Partner from 1998 to 2023.
David’s practice includes litigation, negotiation, and permitting, as well as resolving hazardous waste, solid waste, air, and water issues. He is skilled in working with regulatory authorities to get clients through environmental permitting processes and advising on compliance within a wide range of complex environmental laws and regulations. He frequently appears before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, representing clients in enforcement proceedings. He is particularly experienced in litigating and negotiating on behalf of businesses and large defense groups in complex multiparty EPA Superfund cases and has served as common and lead counsel to defense groups for Superfund sites located throughout New England. Additionally, he conducts due diligence in real estate and corporate transactions involving environmental compliance and negotiates agreements regarding the environmental liabilities.
education
J.D., with honors, Boston College Law School, 1982
B.A., Trinity College
admissions
Massachusetts
honors & awards
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award (2023)
Named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Hall of Fame (2023)
The Best Lawyers in America© Best Lawyer, Environmental Law & Litigation – Environmental (1995-2024)
Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law (2023)
Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2004-2021)
American Jewish Committee – Judge Learned Hand Award (2004)
Boston Business Journal – Who’s Who in Legal Services (2011)

community involvement
Supreme Judicial Court Steering Committee on Lawyer Well-Being
experience
- Represented large group of companies in negotiating a $30 million clean-up settlement of a federal Superfund site in Maine.
- Represented and resolved claims brought by citizens advocacy groups under the Clean Water Act against a wide variety of industrial users facilities.
- Represented homeowners group in resolving access and clean-up responsibilities against a municipality closing out a municipal landfill.
- Resolved enforcement action under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act statute relating to alleged facility operation violations concerning hazardous materials management.
- Resolved numerous enforcement actions brought by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection alleging violations of state hazardous waste, solid waste, clean water and clean air regulations.
- Representing several industry groups in their ongoing management and implementation of remediation of large hazardous waste sites under state and federal Consent Orders and Decrees.
memberships
Boston Bar Association
- Council Member
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
- Past Board of Directors
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
- Board of Directors
American College of Environmental Lawyers
College of Law Practice Management
articles
articles
“Musings on Starting a New Superfund Case – Hope Springs Eternal? American College of Environmental Lawyers, January 2018
interviews
“Taking on the Big Boys,” Metro Corporate Counsel, April 2017
quotes
“Boston’s Big Firms Combining Their Voices,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, August 2018
speaking engagements
“Lessons Learned from David Rosenblatt – The Managing Partner Who Outlasted Them All,” Guest Speaker, Counsel to Counsel with Stephen Seckler, Esq., August 2021
“Attorney Wellness in the Practice of Law,” Panelist, Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, March 2020