Jonathan Z. Pearlson
Director
Boston
jpearlson@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 3556Jonathan Z. Pearlson
Director, Boston
jpearlson@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 3556Related Expertise
Clients turn to Jonathan Pearlson when environmental risks threaten to impact their projects, investments, or operations.
Whether navigating complex regulatory compliance, managing due diligence during acquisitions, or addressing enforcement actions and remediation, clients appreciate Jonathan’s counsel to help prevent problems before they arise and to resolve issues efficiently when they do.
Clients rely on Jonathan’s deep experience in environmental due diligence, compliance and auditing, Brownfields transactions, enforcement actions, risk management, and PRP matters—from responding to information requests to Superfund litigation. He also advises on asbestos and mold remediation, claims handling, and management. His frequent work before agencies such as the EPA and DEP has earned him strong credibility with federal and state regulators alike.
Legal insight with business driven solutions
Jonathan represents public and privately-held corporations, private equity firms, real estate owners and developers, REITs, lenders, tenants, and educational and healthcare institutions. He is recognized as a savvy partner who blends legal experience with business acumen to tackle matters in a practical, sensible way.
Chambers USA remarks that "Jonathan is a driving force behind policy in environmental insurance." Their resources comment that "Jonathan's work is fantastic, covering every base." As a significant portion of his practice, Jonathan reviews, negotiates and assists clients with the placement of environmental insurance policies, and successfully pursues claims on their behalf.
Related Representative Matters
WS Development as primary environmental counsel handling nearly all environmental matters across the company’s portfolio and ongoing operations.
M&M Transport Services, in the sale to Schneider National, Inc., including environmental due diligence for its transportation and logistics facilities.
Romanow Container, in the sale to SupplyOne, Inc., a Wellspring Capital Management portfolio company, including environmental review of operations and properties.
Audax Group in connection with environmental matters across numerous transactions involving its portfolio companies nationwide.
MSPCA Angell, in the financing with TD Bank in connection with the MSPCA’s new Cape Cod Adoption Center, including environmental review and compliance matters tied to the site’s development and ongoing operations.
A real estate developer, in the $150M redevelopment of contaminated properties, including risk management, cleanup, insurance, asbestos, and regulatory issues. Ongoing work includes processing the client’s Brownfields tax credits from the property.
An airline industry corporation, in an enforcement action concerning the inappropriate transportation and disposal of jet fuel.
A chemical manufacturer, in connection with a multi-billion dollar Superfund site.
The purchaser of a $500M retail property portfolio, in expansive environmental due diligence for the transaction.
A real estate developer, in ongoing representation involving more than 50 million square feet of commercial real estate, including environmental due diligence, contracting, insurance, and environmental risk management for acquisitions, dispositions, developments, and regulatory matters across retail, hospitality, medical, educational, life science, and marina properties.
An international data transmission and storage company, in environmental permitting and contamination matters.
Several of the world’s foremost educational institutions, in negotiating claims concerning appropriate environmental insurance coverage.
A private equity company, in the environmental aspects of acquiring a light industrial company with a nationwide footprint, as well as acquisitions and dispositions of dozens of platform companies in industrial, retail, manufacturing, and service industries.
A company alleged to be responsible for contamination of public drinking water wells, in managing related litigation and remediation.
A client in environmental issues associated with acquiring a network of railroad lines and rail yards.
A major city in a clean water enforcement action before the EPA.
Company with facilities throughout the U.S. in connection with wastewater, air, and other permitting issues across the country, and in the design and implementation of environmental auditing program.
Chemical manufacturer in connection with a clean air act enforcement action.
Provincetown Commons, guiding it through its formation, tax-exempt status, lease negotiations, permitting, and construction contracts to bring a century-old community center back to life. The revitalized space now anchors Provincetown’s creative economy, offering year-round support for artists, entrepreneurs, and community initiatives.
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Recognition
Chambers USA Guide
June 5, 2025
Accolades
- Chambers USA, Environment, Massachusetts, 2023-2025 (Band 3)
- The Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law, 2023-2024
- “America’s Leading Business Lawyers," Chambers USA
- Best Lawyers in America® (2008-2026): Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2004 - 2016, 2019-2021
Affiliations
- Member, International Society of Hospitality Consultants
Admissions
- Massachusetts
Education
Northeastern University School of Law ( J.D. , 1993 )
Tufts University ( B.A. , 1989 )