Gary B. O'Connor

As chair of the firm’s Real Estate and Land Use Department, Gary B. O'Connor's practice focuses on real estate, land use and environmental matters. He has extensive experience in all aspects of complex industrial and commercial real estate transactions, particularly those impacted by environmental conditions. Gary is experienced in the fields of regulatory compliance and permitting. He has worked closely with regulators from DEEP, EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local agencies on behalf of his private and public sector clients. Moreover, he has successfully negotiated major federal and state grant and loan agreements in connection with large-scale public and private remediation and redevelopment projects.

Gary has represented the public sector in the creation of a major airport authority, the closing of one of the largest real estate transfers in Connecticut and the development of regional malls, magnet schools and large urban renewal projects. He has successfully handled complex eminent domain cases on behalf of municipalities. Gary has also represented private developers in connection with the acquisition, remediation, land use permitting and construction of large commercial and residential projects, many of which are located on former brownfield sites.

Gary currently serves as co-chair of Connecticut's Brownfields Working Group, and has been one of the leaders in Connecticut in revising state environmental laws. He served as co-chair of the Environment Committee of Governor Dannel Malloy's Transition Team. Gary is presently working with the Governor's Office and leadership of the General Assembly to create a comprehensive brownfields initiative in the state. Gary was instrumental in establishing the Office of Brownfields Remediation and Development, which serves as the clearinghouse for state brownfield issues. Gary is a LEED Accredited Professional. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Throughout his career, Gary has counseled clients in the health care industry on regulatory, transactional and business matters. Currently, Gary represents a national EMS provider, physicians and related health care practices.