A.J. is an experienced environmental lawyer with significant in-house experience. A significant portion of A.J.’s robust environmental, health and safety (EHS) regulatory and compliance practice is spent advising technology clients on the EHS considerations associated with data centers and similar facilities. In addition, A.J. maintains a significant transactional practice and helps clients navigate the environmental aspects of M&A, real estate, and commodities transactions and renewable energy developments (e.g., battery energy storage and solar projects). A.J. also advises clients on a variety of environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, with a particular focus on the environmental aspects of ESG.
In the EHS space, A.J. has significant experience with state and federal air, water, waste, and occupational health and safety laws and helps his clients comply with complex EHS regulatory and compliance matters and defends them in enforcement actions brought by state, federal, and local regulators. A majority of this EHS regulatory practice focuses on data center operations and manufacturing facilities. In addition, A.J. works with clients to develop and obtain EHS permits and frequently advises on EHS investigations and audits.
A.J.’s transactional practice involves advising clients on environmental risk management and due diligence for a variety of projects and transaction types. He has significant experience developing strategies for mitigating environmental risk in M&A, real estate, commodities transactions and advising on the environmental provisions of a variety of transaction documents. This part of A.J.’s practice also involves guiding clients on response and remediation actions under CERCLA and similar laws. Additionally, A.J. advises clients on a wide range of environmental and permitting issues associated the acquisition, development and financing of renewable energy projects (e.g., solar, battery energy storage systems), many of which are located in Texas. He also assists clients in the renewable energy project space with environmental and permitting due diligence, as well as providing support on land use and zoning matters.
A.J.’s ESG practice involves advising on climate disclosures and reporting frameworks as well as agreements related to carbon credits and carbon removal. Clients rely on him for his guidance on strategies for achieving emissions and carbon reductions and setting and meeting emissions targets.
Prior to joining Reed Smith, A.J. served as in-house health, safety, environmental and security counsel at one of the world’s largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies with several petrochemical plants and refineries located in Texas. Thanks to his in-house experience, A.J. understands his clients’ business priorities and is able to craft practical solutions to meet their goals.
