John Wertam has extensive counseling experience in all areas of environmental law. He practices primarily in the areas of hazardous waste management, wastewater discharge permitting, site assessment and risk evaluation, permitting, enforcement defense and lender liability. He also has broad experience negotiating environmental issues in business and real estate transactions.
John has lectured for over twenty-five years on environmental topics including the Connecticut Transfer Act, and is author of all five editions of the Connecticut Environmental Law Handbook. He brings a unique background and extensive experience to the practice of environmental law and the resolution of environmental issues. His experience with the Connecticut Transfer Act and Connecticut Remediation Standard Regulations allows him to effectively counsel clients on the risks and liabilities associated with transferring property or business operations in Connecticut.
- Connecticut Bar Association: Environmental Law Section, Executive Committee
- Connecticut Business and Industry Association: Environmental Policies Council
- Connecticut Environmental Forum: Chair, Board of Directors
Counsel to Worldwide Waste-to-Energy Company
Represent Connecticut interests of a global waste-to-energy company on environmental permitting, enforcement defense, and business and real estate transactions.
$500 Million Adriaen's Landing Redevelopment Project
Represented the State of Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and the Capital City Economic Development Authority (CCEDA) in the $500 million-plus public/private redevelopment project in the City of Hartford, known as Adriaen's Landing. The project includes a convention center, hotel, science center, retail and entertainment development, and several parking garages. The firm represented OPM and CCEDA in the acquisition and assembly of the site; drafted and negotiated the long-term ground lease for the Convention Center hotel; drafted and negotiated a development agreement with the private developer of the retail and entertainment residential components of the Project; drafted and negotiated a 99-year lease with the largest art museum in the State for space in the project; drafted and negotiated a 99-year lease with a not-for-profit entity created to operate a museum of science and exploration on the site; drafted and negotiated a declaration of easements and restrictions for the entire site; and drafted and negotiated parking rights agreements with private entities that desired ongoing use of portions of the garages.