Pierce Atwood LLP

64 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Environmental Law Litigation - Environmental

Biography

Michelle O'Brien handles environmental and land use permitting and related litigation for various types of developments including residential homes, commercial buildings, waterfront properties, wind turbines, and solid waste facilities. She defends companies in environmental enforcement matters at the federal, state, and local levels. She represents private parties in cost recovery and property damage claims involving releases of oil and hazardous materials, and assists clients with real estate transactions involving contaminated properties.
Pierce Atwood LLP

64 Best Lawyers awards

Pierce Atwood LLP logo

Overview

  • Suffolk University, J.D., cum laude, graduated 1990
  • Lesley University, B.S. Ed., magna cum laude, graduated 1982

  • United States, Massachusetts
  • United States, Maine

  • Boston Bar Association - Former Council Member
  • Boston Bar Association - Former Co-chair, Environmental Sustainability Task Force
  • CREW Boston (formerly known as New England Women in Real Estate) - Member
  • Environmental Business Council - Site Remediation and Redevelopment Committee
  • Environmental Business Council of New England - Member, Board of Directors (2016)
  • Lesley University Alumni Association - Two-term President
  • Lesley University Board of Trustees and Alumni Council - Member
  • Licensed Site Professional Association - Associate Member
  • Massachusetts Chapter, Society for Women Environmental Professionals - Founding member
  • MassDEP Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee - Member

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts - Trial Courts
  • United States, Massachusetts
  • United States, Maine
  • Boston Bar Association - Former Council Member
  • Boston Bar Association - Former Co-chair, Environmental Sustainability Task Force
  • CREW Boston (formerly known as New England Women in Real Estate) - Member
  • Environmental Business Council - Site Remediation and Redevelopment Committee
  • Environmental Business Council of New England - Member, Board of Directors (2016)
  • Lesley University Alumni Association - Two-term President
  • Lesley University Board of Trustees and Alumni Council - Member
  • Licensed Site Professional Association - Associate Member
  • Massachusetts Chapter, Society for Women Environmental Professionals - Founding member
  • MassDEP Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee - Member
  • Suffolk University, J.D., cum laude, graduated 1990
  • Lesley University, B.S. Ed., magna cum laude, graduated 1982
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts - Trial Courts

Client Testimonials

Michelle O'Brien is knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. She provides effective and cost-efficient representation that you can count on.

Michael McDonald (Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.)

Michelle represented us in a protracted litigation involving wetlands and the Massachusetts DEP. She is thoroughly competent and communicative. Her understanding of the rules and regulations and their nuances is vast. In short, she is top notch. She has my unqualified recommendation. I have recommended her services to others who have been equally pleased with her work. I would not hesitate to engage her again should circumstances warrant it.

Frederick Sewall (Nehoiden Knoll, Inc.)

Needham, MA

Michelle O'Brien is a consummate professional. The quality of work produced by her is exemplary. Her courtroom demeanor exudes both knowledge and confidence, and her eye for details is second to none. Our company would not look elsewhere for legal representation.

Gregory Mills (K.G.M. Custom Homes, Inc.)

Michelle O'Brien is absolutely top rate in her field. In the various companies I've run over the years, I've come to value the qualities that Michelle brings to the table as an attorney: she is clear, intelligent, responsive, and understands the nuances of the opposing perspectives, as well as the law itself. Her diligence, humor, and expertise combine to make her an excellent asset to any project.

William Churchill (Strategy To Design)

Cambridge, MA

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Environmental Law
  • Litigation - Environmental
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Special Focus:
  • Administrative/Regulatory
  • Enforcement Defense
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation
  • RCRA/Hazardous Waste
  • Solid Waste
  • Superfunds/Environmental Remediation
  • Waste
  • Wetlands
Awards:
  • Recognized as a "Massachusetts Super Lawyer" in environmental law (2006–present).
  • Recognized by Chambers USA for environmental law (2007-present).
  • Included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers (2011-present).
  • Named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 2015 "Top Women of Law" List.
  • LSP Association Member Award for contributions to the practice (2007).

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