Lawyer Overview

David Gold is a counsel in the firm's Regulatory and Government Affairs Department, and a member of the Environmental Practice Group. He joined the firm in 2003.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Gold was an environmental consultant in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Tucson, Arizona; and San Francisco, California, assisting clients with a range of regulatory compliance matters involving water resources, endangered species and socio-economic issues. While in law school, Mr. Gold served as a law clerk with the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the US Department of Justice. He spent his final year at Harvard Law School.

Practice

Mr. Gold's practice focuses on environmental, energy and land use law. He represents clients in litigation, administrative appeals, mediation and transactional matters. He also counsels clients on compliance with state and federal clean water, hazardous and solid waste, and wetlands laws.

Recent Highlights

• Represented national financial company in the direct purchase of energy supplies from regional wholesale markets
• Defended regional energy company against claims of liability under CERCLA and state Superfund laws
• Defended national paint and coatings company against allegations of liability under state Superfund law
• Defended national “big box” retailers in litigation and adjudicatory proceedings involving zoning, subdivision and wetland approvals
• Defended regional waste management company in litigation involving municipal board approvals
• Represented project developers in connection with securing financing for desalination and landfill gas-to-energy projects
• Represented major medical institutions in negotiations concerning long-term utility contracts
• Represented regional utility company in mediation regarding construction contracts
• Drafted transactional documents for development of large-scale wind energy projects
• Developed legal framework and supporting contractual documents for state-sponsored solar power initiative
• Advised petitioner in property registration case before the Massachusetts Land Court 

Publications

• Water Disputes in Massachusetts, Water Resources Committee Newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 2, January 2010, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, American Bar Association.
• Legal Strategies to Address the Misrepresentation of Vermont Maple Syrup, 59 Food & Drug L. J. 93 (2004).
• In Search of a Remedial Endpoint: State Releases Draft Policy on Background Feasibility Evaluations, New England’s Environment (March/April 2004) (with Robert C. Kirsch).
• New Due Diligence Standard May Enable Parties to Avoid Superfund Liability, New England’s Environment (January/February 2004) (with Robert C. Kirsch).
• Relaxing the Rules: The Supreme Court's Quest for Balance in Palazzolo v. Rhode Island, 29 Ecology L.Q. 137 (2002).
• Supreme Court Struggles with Damage Assessment in Water Dispute as Interstate Compact Breaks Down, 29 Ecology L.Q. 427 (2002).
• Supreme Court Orders Federal Government to Return More Than $150 Million to Oil Companies, 28 Ecology L.Q. 550 (2001).

Speaking Engagements

• Connecting to the Grid: Permitting Renewable Energy Projects in New England – Law Seminars International Conference – September 21, 2009
• NEPA Case Law Update – Law Seminars International MEPA & NEPA Workshop – June 10, 2009
• Regulation of Energy Companies – New England Clean Energy Council Clean Energy Fellowship Program – May 28, 2009
• Recent Developments in NEPA Case Law – Law Seminars International MEPA & NEPA Workshop – June 11, 2008

Professional Activities

Mr. Gold is a member of the Board of Directors of the Boston Natural Areas Network. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association and the American Water Resources Association.

Areas of Practice

• Environmental
• Regulatory and Government Affairs

West Practice Categories

Environmental Law

Bar Admissions

• Massachusetts, 2003

Education

• University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, 2003
  JD
• University of Arizona, 1995
  MS, Watershed Management
• Tufts University, 1991
  BA, Economics and Biology
  Honors: high thesis honors

Published Works

• Water Disputes in Massachusetts, 2010
• U.S. Energy Department Creates Private Sector Partnership to Accelerate Renewable Energy Projects, 2009
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Provides Funding for Environmental Programs, 2009
• Massachusetts Enacts Sweeping Energy Legislation, 2008
• Massachusetts Issues Draft Policy for the Development of Desalination Projects, 2007
• EPA Proposes New NPDES Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities, 2005
• Governor Submits Ocean Management Bill to the Massachusetts Legislature to Establish a Comprehensive Management Approach for the Commonwealth's Coastal Waters, 2005

Address

60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109

Phones

+1 617 526 6425 (Business Phone)

Faxes

+1 617 526 5000 (Business Fax)

Emails

Contact Us (Business Email)

Websites

www.wilmerhale.com