Kate Heller
Director
Boston
kheller@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 6575Kate Heller
Director, Boston
kheller@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 6575Related Expertise
Kate Heller offers indispensable environmental insight to real estate stakeholders confronting multifaceted regulatory issues, with a focus on remediation as part of redevelopment. She applies a practical, client-focused approach to dealing with environmental due diligence, contaminated property risks, remediation programs, soil and groundwater management, indoor environmental pollution, regulatory compliance, green building strategies, and more.
Kate counsels purchasers, prospective tenants, owners, and property operators across the country. Recognized for her deep technical knowledge, Kate is praised for finding practical, construction-integrated solutions to safely redevelop contaminated brownfields for new uses, including residential. She also handles many operational challenges from indoor air quality and hazardous materials issues to operations and maintenance programs, regulatory compliance, and enforcement proceedings.
Applying Engineering Background to Today’s Advice
A Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Kate converts her civil and environmental engineering background into targeted solutions. Her engineering practice focused primarily on site remediation, construction, and assessment services for various clients, including major corporations, utility companies, and US Military facilities. Kate’s background also includes serving as an intern at the Office of Regional Counsel at the US Environmental Protection Agency, a foundational experience that informs her strategic approaches.
Related Representative Matters
DivcoWest nationwide for environmental matters, including the purchase, cleanup and leasing of Cambridge Crossing (“CX”), a 45-acre, transit-oriented neighborhood “megadevelopment” located on a former railroad yard in the municipalities of Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville, MA.
Major multi-family and real estate developers in connection with a wide variety of brownfield property acquisitions, dispositions, development projects and regulatory matters, assisting with due diligence, remedial plans, contracting, insurance, regulatory matters and the management of environmental risk often acting to “pressure test” or translate the recommendations of environmental consultants or regulators.
Major universities and hospitals, such as Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital, in with ongoing environmental advice in connection with site remediation, waste management, environmental compliance, and green construction projects.
Borrowers and lenders in connection with the environmental aspects of traditional real estate lending as well as REIT financing, private equity funding and strategic joint ventures for real estate investment. Also advising clients in connection with obtaining environmental insurance to mitigate risks associated with the environmental indemnifications generally required by lenders.
A developer in connection with the purchase and remediation/redevelopment of a former pesticide manufacturing facility and the subsequent sale of the redeveloped property. Assisted with environmental due diligence, negotiating environmental provisions of purchase and sale agreements, remedial plans, regulatory compliance issues and cost recovery through Massachusetts Brownfields tax credits.
Companies in connection with procuring environmental insurance as well as environmental claims (e.g., cost recovery actions for environmental cleanup costs), often involving drafting and responding to demand letters and assisting clients with settlement negotiations.
AXA IM Alts and its affiliates in one of the largest industrial portfolio acquisitions of 2020. The 7,984,000 s/f portfolio consists of 27 assets in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Central New Jersey, Dallas, South Florida, Southern New Jersey and Atlanta, and was acquired for approximately $875 million, through a share purchase of a REIT previously managed by Cabot Properties.
Atlas Capital Group, LLC in the acquisition and financing of 15 Park Row, a 31 story, 335-unit apartment building with ground-floor commercial space in New York City.
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Recognition
Chambers USA Guide
June 5, 2025
Accolades
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Go To Environmental Lawyer, 2023
- The Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law, 2023-2024
- Best Lawyers in America® (2023-2026): Environmental Law
- Chambers USA, Environment, Massachusetts, 2019, 2020 (Up-and-Coming), 2021-2025 (Band 3)
- Chambers USA, “America’s Leading Business Lawyers," 2010-2013, 2016-2017
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2013 - 2015
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2009 - 2012
- Banker & Tradesman's 2008 Class of New Leaders
Affiliations
- Pro Bono environmental work for non-profit organizations
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Boston Bar Association
- Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society
Admissions
- Massachusetts
Education
Northeastern University School of Law ( J.D. , 2007 )
Cornell University, College of Engineering ( B.S. , 1999 )