Jonathan Schaefer

Jon Schaefer, a partner in the firm’s Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group, focuses his practice on environmental compliance counseling, permitting, site remediation, occupational health and safety, energy regulatory compliance and siting, and litigation related to federal and state regulatory programs. His experiences enable him to work effectively with experts and legal counsel to help clients minimize risk and solve compliance, enforcement, transactional, and regulatory matters.

Jon is also the Editor of the Environmental Law + blog, which presents clients and friends across a wide range of industries and businesses with a timely and thoughtful forum for discussion on environmental, health & safety, and energy topics. 

Environmental Counseling

Jon counsels clients in connection with their compliance efforts under a multitude of environmental programs. He advises clients and insurers on site cleanup efforts and the costs and obligations related to such efforts. He has served on a Superfund site steering committee, and provided counsel on brownfield clean-up efforts. He works closely with his clients, experts, and other lawyers to creatively solve his clients’ risk management challenges. Jon helps clients comply with all state and federal environmental laws, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); the Clean Air Act (CAA); the Clean Water Act (CWA); the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPRCA); the Connecticut Transfer Act; and most other federal and state environmental statutes.

Health and Safety (OSHA)

Jon counsels business clients on a multitude of health and safety issues that arise from their operations. He helps with the review of health and safety procedures, assists with EH&S audits, and works with clients to develop health and safety plans. He represents clients before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), including evaluating alleged violations and defending clients against citations.

Environmental - Dispute Resolution and Litigation

When environmental disputes arise, Jon helps clients resolve problems through alternative dispute resolution. He also represents clients involved in environmental litigation related to contaminated sites throughout the United States. Jon has experience representing clients in disputes involving federal and state environmental laws. This experience enables him to assist his clients with an appropriate strategy, whether that involves taking a case to trial or positioning the client to pursue a favorable settlement. He has assisted his clients in reaching favorable settlements with private parties and governmental agencies in several environmental and energy matters.

Energy Regulatory

Jon appears before state utility regulatory authorities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire on utility and energy matters. He counsels utility and energy clients on regulatory compliance and appears regularly before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) on energy compliance matters.

Pro Bono

Jon regularly does pro bono work, including through the firm’s Domestic Violence Restraining Order program, which provides free legal services to family violence victims. He also assists the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, by providing legal assistance to veterans who are facing eviction and representing veterans as they navigate through their benefit appeals.

Prior to joining Robinson+Cole, Jon interned with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and with the U.S. Attorney's Office. While attending law school, he served as articles editor of the Connecticut Journal of International Law and was President of the Environmental Law Society.