Geoffrey G. Why,
Partner and Verrill Diversity Partner

gwhy@verrill-law.com

News

June 7, 2024 Press Releases

30 Verrill Attorneys, Across Four Offices, Recognized in the 2024 Chambers & Partners Guide More

August 28, 2023 Media Mentions

DEI Chief Roles Hard to Fill Amid Wavering Commitments, Lawsuits More Bloomberg Law

August 15, 2023 Media Mentions

Local Law Firm Hires First-Ever ‘Diversity Partner’ More Boston Business Journal

August 10, 2023 Press Releases

Verrill Appoints Firm’s First-Ever Diversity Partner, Geoffrey Why More

June 9, 2023 Press Releases

30 Verrill Attorneys, Across Four Offices, Recognized in 2023 Chambers & Partners Guide More Chambers

March 9, 2023 Press Releases

Verrill Partner Geoffrey Why Named One of Boston’s Most Influential Asian American Pacific Islanders 2023 More

June 8, 2022 Press Releases

31 Verrill Attorneys, Across Four Offices, Recognized in 2022 Chambers & Partners Guide More

Firm Highlights

Blog

Governor Healey Enacts Transformative Clean Energy and Economic Development Laws: Streamlined Permitting, Equity Protections, and Extended Project Approvals

On November 20, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed the Massachusetts Leads Act, engrossing House Bill 5100 (the “MA Leads Act”), which, among many funding provisions, contains two changes that will significantly benefit project developers...

Blog

Loper Bright and Massachusetts Environmental Law: Navigating the Boundaries of Federal and State Authority

While the SCOTUS’s Loper Bright Enterprises et al. (Loper) decision reversing Chevron was a win for those seeking to rein in the administrative state at the federal level, it does not sound the death...

Blog

Maine Governor Mills To Tap Heather Sanborn of Portland as Next Public Advocate

On December 5, 2024, Governor Janet Mills announced her intent to nominate former state senator and representative Heather Sanborn to serve as the next Public Advocate of the State of Maine. Sanborn, of Portland...

Blog

Implications of Trump Executive Orders for Massachusetts Environmental Justice Programs

On the first day of his Presidency, among 26 other Executive Orders that day, Donald Trump issued his Unleashing American Energy Executive Order rescinding President Biden’s Executive Order 14096 of April 21, 2023 (Revitalizing...

Blog

Balancing Local Control and State Mandates: The Implications of the MBTA Communities Act Ruling

The state’s highest court has affirmed the Legislature’s power to force towns to adopt denser, transit-friendly zoning. In 2021, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Communities Act (G. L. c. 40A, § 3A) amended...

Blog

Maine DEP Issues New Maine Construction General Permit

On January 14, 2025, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) issued a new Maine Construction General Permit (“MCGP”). The new permit replaces the prior 2006 MCGP, which expired and had been administratively continued...

Blog

Unwrapping Maine's Gift to the Environment: A New Packaging Stewardship Program Set to Launch in 2026

Beginning in May of 2026, [1] owners of brands selling packaged products and importers of foreign-produced packaged products sold in Maine will be required to adhere to Maine’s Stewardship Program for Packaging. [2] Beginning...

Blog

Administrative Penalties Under Scrutiny: Jarkesy’s Potential Impact on EPA and Massachusetts Enforcement

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) often uses civil penalties to punish environmental violators. The EPA can either pursue a penalty through its internal administrative process or have the Justice Department file suit...

Blog

Converting Risk to Reward in the Biosolids Industry

Despite having over 130 years of collective environmental law experience, Verrill’s environmental group is very cautious in making predictions about the future. But sometimes we identify a trend that seems so obvious that we...

Blog

Mitigating Impacts of Solar Development on High Value Agricultural Land

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry issued final rules on Permitting Solar Energy Developments on High Value-Agricultural Land , with an effective date of April 20, 2025 (the “Rule”). The Rule implements...

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700

Geoffrey G. Why, Partner and Verrill Diversity Partner

News

Firm Highlights

Governor Healey Enacts Transformative Clean Energy and Economic Development Laws: Streamlined Permitting, Equity Protections, and Extended Project Approvals

Loper Bright and Massachusetts Environmental Law: Navigating the Boundaries of Federal and State Authority

Maine Governor Mills To Tap Heather Sanborn of Portland as Next Public Advocate

Implications of Trump Executive Orders for Massachusetts Environmental Justice Programs

Balancing Local Control and State Mandates: The Implications of the MBTA Communities Act Ruling

Maine DEP Issues New Maine Construction General Permit

Unwrapping Maine's Gift to the Environment: A New Packaging Stewardship Program Set to Launch in 2026

Administrative Penalties Under Scrutiny: Jarkesy’s Potential Impact on EPA and Massachusetts Enforcement

Converting Risk to Reward in the Biosolids Industry

Mitigating Impacts of Solar Development on High Value Agricultural Land

Geoffrey G. Why,
Partner and Verrill Diversity Partner