Land Use Permitting | Municipal Law | Geoff Hand

Geoff is an experienced litigator who focuses his practice on renewable energy development, environmental litigation, land use permitting, municipal law, and general civil litigation.

In his energy and environmental practice, Geoff works with developers to plan, permit, and construct a wide range of projects including all types of renewable energy facilities. Relying on his legal experience, science-based education, and communications background, Geoff helps clients map out a comprehensive strategy for obtaining local, state, and federal approvals for their projects. He works closely with clients to evaluate the legal and technical permitting standards applicable to the project and then helps consultants and experts put together the necessary evidence to effectively present the case. Geoff regularly appears before the Vermont Public Service Board and the Environmental Division of the Vermont Superior Court, and has successfully represented clients in numerous appeals before the Vermont Supreme Court.

Geoff also represents municipalities, community groups, nonprofits, and individuals in environmental matters, helping them protect the places and resources they care about. Sometimes that means taking proactive steps to identify and preserve important resources through effective community planning, and sometimes it involves negotiating settlements with developers during permitting proceedings — but more often than not, it involves an aggressive litigation strategy to oppose poorly or improperly sited projects.

Over the past eight years Geoff has been involved in a number of high-profile environmental cases in the state of Vermont involving a wide range of environmental permitting issues – including, among other things, federal environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), state and federal wetland permits, stormwater discharge permits, analysis of endangered species impacts, Act 250 land use permits, and local zoning permits. Geoff also works with national environmental nonprofits on climate change litigation strategies, and together with local counsel, represents advocacy organizations in federal courts around the U.S.

In addition to his environmental and energy work, Geoff maintains an active municipal law practice and also regularly works with nonprofits and socially responsible businesses on a range of issues including general litigation matters and corporate governance.

Regardless of whether he's working with a local land owner, a renewable energy developer, or a national nonprofit, Geoff tries to approach each matter he handles with an appropriate balance of serious legal advocacy and good humor, and he takes great satisfaction in helping his clients succeed in their respective missions.

Geoff joined the firm in 2003 and became a partner in 2009. Prior to law school, Geoff handled communications and media relations for an environmental advocacy organization in Boston.

Community Service

Board member, Boys & Girls Club of Burlington

Board member, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust

Board member, VSA Vermont

Board member, Vermont Environmental Consortium

recent blog posts

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Click to view all of Geoff Hand's blog posts

EXAMPLES OF MATTERS

Renewable Energy & Clean Technologies

Handled state and federal permitting for commercial wind energy facility in the state of Vermont; obtained all necessary permits including Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Service Board. Project is currently under construction.
Handled state and federal permitting for the first wind project proposed on National Forest Service land.
Represented solar energy developers in state permitting proceedings before the Public Service Board; provided legal advice on all aspects of project development under Vermont's new feed-in-tariff/Standard Offer program, including state permitting and utility interconnection issues.
Testified before the Vermont legislature on proposed renewable energy legislation.

Environmental & Natural Resources

Represented national environmental organizations and numerous municipalities in lawsuit against the federal government over subsidies for activities that contribute to climate change; obtained the first U.S. federal court decision to grant individual and municipal plaintiffs standing to sue the federal government based solely on climate change impacts.
Represented national and state environmental groups, as well as concerned citizens, in lawsuit against the federal government over planned transportation project; obtained injunction prohibiting construction of the facility without adequate environmental study.
Represented national environmental group in lawsuit over timber harvesting practices on the Green Mountain National Forest; obtained injunction from U.S. Second Circuit court of Appeals blocking timber sale.

Real Estate & Land Use

Represented real estate developers in Act 250 and local zoning permit proceedings, including defending appeals of permits in Environmental Court;
Represented municipality in litigation over plans to construct large industrial quarry in an inappropriate location along a scenic highway in central Vermont; obtained decision from Vermont Environmental Court denying Act 250 and municipal zoning permits for the quarry.
Represented local school district in opposition to plans to construct gravel pit adjacent to the high school; obtained decision from Vermont Environmental Court denying requested Act 250 land-use permit.
Represented alternative educational provider in permitting applications for municipal zoning permits and Act 250 land-use permits.

Municipalities & Governmental Entities

Represented municipal client in general civil litigation over contract for essential public services; obtained favorable decision upholding municipality's actions.
Advised regional governmental entity on constitutional restrictions, statutory authority, and regulatory issues related to developing new guidelines for providing public services.
Advised municipal clients on general governance issues, including state public-records and open-meeting-law requirements.

Nonprofits

Represented local nonprofit organizations seeking federal tax-exempt status from the IRS; advised on necessary compliance with IRS regulations for nonprofit entities.
Provided advice and counsel to nonprofit organizations on operational, corporate governance, and management best practices.
Researched and drafted public policy white papers for nonprofit clients on legal and advocacy issues central to organization's public mission.

BAR ADMISSIONS

State of Vermont
U.S. District Court, District of Vermont

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