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| Christopher A. D'Ovidio
Warwick/Providence, Rhode Island Principle, Environmental Law Rhode Island
401.739.2900 Ext.308 401.739.2906 (Fax) cdovidio@merollalaw.com
Christopher A. D'Ovidio, Esq. is
an environmental attorney and scientist, and a professor of land use
law at Roger Williams University School of Law. Christopher
was formerly an environmental scientist with the Rhode Island
Department of Environmental Management and former attorney with the
Conservation Law Foundation. With over 20 years of experience in field
of environmental and land use regulation, Christopher offers a diverse
and unique professional background to his clients.
Recipient of SuperLawyers of New England's "Rising Star" awards for Environmental Law in 2008 and Land Use and Zoning Law in 2010 is a testament to Christopher's advocacy and client success.
Christopher is equally active in his community, serving as the Vice-Chair of the City of Warwick's Land Trust, Vice-President of Groundwork Providence (a non-profit organization dedicated to building sustainable and green urban environments) and co-chair of the Rhode Island Bar Association's Environmental and Energy Law Committee's Planning Group. Christopher has served on numerous state boards and commissions, such as the State of Rhode Island Water Allocation Program Advisory Committee, the State of Rhode Island Housing Commission’s Low & Moderate Housing Task Force, Governor’s Narragansett Bay and Watershed Planning Commission, the State of Rhode Island Energy Office Renewable Energy Fund Advisory Board, the State of Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Project Stakeholder Committee, and the State of Rhode Island Public Advisory Committee of RI Bays, Rivers & Watersheds Coordination Team.
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EDUCATION Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA
Doctor of Jurisprudence
Honors:
• Golden Gate University Environmental Law Award For Academic Excellence
• Recipient of Golden Gate University Public Interest Law Foundation Justice and Equity Grant
• Recipient of the Golden Gate University Environmental Law Summer Fellowship
• Public Interest Law Specialist Certificate – with distinction
• Environmental Law Specialist Certificate – with distinction
University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI
Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Development
LEGAL EXPERIENCE Merolla & Accetturo, Warwick, RI
Partner and Assistant Solicitor, Town of New Shoreham, 2006~present Provide
legal services in all matters and proceeding pertaining to
environmental law, land use, zoning and property law; including, RIDEM,
CRMC, and EPA. Manage all aspects of local, state, and federal permitting and compliance. Responsible
for preparing municipal ordinances and performing extensive legal,
legislative and policy research for all aspects of municipal affairs
for the Town of New Shoreham. Manage all aspects of complex personal injury defense litigation for a large national automobile insurance agency.Additional
substantive experience in, administrative law, real estate
transactions, personal injury litigation, and corporate filings.
Roger Williams University School of Law, Bristol, RI Adjunct Professor - Land Use Planning
The course focuses on the public regulation of land and its use. Various
planning theories are reviewed in the course of studying the law of
zoning, subdivision control, eminent domain and renewal of urban and
rural areas. Conservation Law Foundation, Providence, RI
Director of Rhode Island Advocacy/Staff Attorney 2002~2006
Responsible
for establishing and maintaining Conservation Law Foundation-Rhode
Island Advocacy Center’s durable and permanent presence as a leading
environmental advocacy organization. Provided strategic development and
implementation for, and overall direction of, various advocacy
initiatives. Mentored and supervised project staff. Represented CLF in
environmental/land use litigation and environmental regulatory matters.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCE
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Providence, RI Environmental Scientist/Engineering Technician 1992~1998
Responsible for the implementation of the Rhode Island Individual Sewage Disposal System (ISDS) Regulations. Developed and coordinated ISDS licensing exams, licensing program, and training seminars. Responsible for the permitting, inspection and enforcement of ISDS. Responsible for preparing Surface Water Supply Management Plans. Conducted
investigations of non-point pollution sources to surface drinking water
supplies. Analyzed and updated Geographic Information System (GIS)
land use maps. Provided detailed recommendations for the remediation of
non-point pollution sources to surface drinking water supplies.
Missouri Conservation Department, Columbia, MO Wildlife Research Biologist 1991
Collected
research data related to mourning dove production estimates. Conducted
live trapping, leg banding and radio tagging. Performed radio telemetry
tracking via air and ground. Estimated seasonal and annual survival
rates and production estimates.
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts, Montpelier, VT
On-Site Sanitary Specialist 1989~1990
Engineered
and submitted detailed ISDS designs for local sewage and state
subdivision permits. Performed soil and groundwater
evaluations. Oversaw construction and certification of septic system
and well installations.
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
State of Rhode Island Water Allocation Program Advisory Committee 2002~2004
State Housing Commission’s Low & Moderate Housing Task Force 2003~2004
Governor’s Narragansett Bay and Watershed Planning Commission 2003~2004
State Energy Office Renewable Energy Fund Advisory Board 2002~2005
State of Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Project Stakeholder Committee 2002~2005
Environment Council of Rhode Island, Treasurer 2003~2005
Buckeye Brook Coalition, Board of Director and President 2003~2006
Public Advisory Committee of RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team 2005~2007
Warwick Land Trust Committee, Chairman 2006~present
Groundworks Providence, Vice President 2007~present
MEMBERSHIP
Rhode Island Bar – Environmental and Energy Law Committee 2001~present
Rhode Island Bar 2001~present
United States District Court – District of Rhode Island 2002~present
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 2006~present
United States Supreme Court 2009~present
LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY PROFILE Providence, RI KeySpan and Fall River, MA LNG proposals Brayton Point Power Station emissions controls Block Island’s Champlin’s Marina expansion Discharge permits for sewage treatment facilities in Narragansett Bay Rhode Island Airport land use and discharge permitting FAA Environmental Assessment- Jonesboro, ME airport proposal
RIDEM Fishery License Appeals
Zoning and Land Use Appeals
CRMC Assent Issuance and Challenges
INVITED LECTURES Brown University - Environmental Site Design 2003
Univ. of RI & RI Association of Conservation Commissions - Affordable Housing Panelist 2003
RI Rivers Council Land and Water Summit - Application of the Clean Water Act 2004, 2005, 2006
Blackstone River Coalition - Application of the Clean Water Act 2006
Roger Williams University – Site and Environment Fall 2004
New England Law Libarian Conference - Regional LNG facility proposals and the environment ___________________________________________________________________ | |
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