David is an associate in the firm’s Energy and Real Estate practice groups. He represents electric and gas public utilities and municipal aggregators in the Commonwealth on energy efficiency initiatives and other energy-related matters. David advises energy companies before the Department of Public Utilities and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council. David’s real estate practice includes permitting and litigation under local land use laws and state and federal environmental laws.
Awards & Honors
- Named a “New England Super Lawyer Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters, 2023
- Named a “Top Lawyer” by Boston Magazine, 2022-2023
Experience
David has broad experience across energy, environmental, and land use law, from obtaining land use and environmental permits to litigating novel questions of federal law. David also maintains an active pro bono practice. Representative matters include:
- Member of the Rich May team that serves as counsel to the Mass Save® consortium (comprised of all of the Commonwealth’s electric and gas utilities and qualified municipal aggregators).
- Defended private and public wastewater treatment facilities against citizens’ suits pursuing novel claims with tens of millions in infrastructure spending and civil penalties at stake.
- Advised and defended land use permitting boards in the review of project proposals and related litigation. David has also advised individuals and businesses applying for land use permits and challenging such permits after their issuance.
- Counseled individuals, small businesses, and major corporations regarding cost-effective cleanups, cost allocation, and natural damage claims under CERCLA, Chapter 21E, and related waste disposal and cleanup laws.
- David’s award-winning pro bono work has included asylum claims, public records litigation, and individual benefits cases.
David previously practiced at a global law firm in San Francisco and a mid-size Boston firm focused on representing public sector clients. Before law school, David worked in Washington as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill.
Education
- Yale University, B.A., 2008
- Columbia Law School, J.D., 2014; Editor-in-Chief, Columbia Journal of Environmental Law
Bar Admissions
- State of California
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Outside the Office
David spends his free time with his wife and two young children. Together, they enjoy cooking, reading, and outdoor activities of all sorts.
David puts his land use and environmental experience to work for his community as vice-chair of the Cambridge Conservation Commission, a local permitting agency with jurisdiction over wetlands and floodplains.
