People
Matthew Ranelli

Matthew Ranelli

Partner

Matthew Ranelli is chair of Shipman's Renewable Energy Practice, and also represents clients on environmental and land use matters.

Matt focuses his practice on renewable energy issues in Connecticut. He represents developers, schools, municipalities, quasi-governmental agencies and other stakeholders regarding clean energy projects, green building standards, energy conservation and efficiency projects, energy savings performance contracts, power purchasing agreements, and managing energy options. He also assists clients with a wide variety of transactions, litigation, site remediation, enforcement defense, common law claims and environmental and land use representation including wetlands, zoning and environmental permitting for projects.

Matt’s environmental practice focuses on handling state and federal Superfund actions, site remediation, PFAS, Brownfield redevelopment, enforcement defense, common law claims, and environmental permitting. He also represents clients in eminent domain, adverse possession and takings claims as well as with Connecticut Transfer Act compliance.

Pragmatic but considerate, Matt is appreciated by clients for finding achievable solutions to tough problems and offering strategic advice with thoughtful understanding of the client’s needs.

Credentials

Education

Vermont Law School, M.S.L., 1997, summa cum laude
Vermont Law School, J.D., 1994
DePauw University, B.A., 1988

Bar Admissions

Connecticut, 1994
New York, 1997

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court, District of CT, 2000
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of NY
U.S. District Court, Southern District of NY
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Distinctions

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Land Use and Zoning Law (2016-2025); Litigation - Land Use and Zoning (2018-2025), and Municipal Law (2018-2025)
Listed in Chambers USA, Environment (2014, 2022-2024); Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (2015-2016)
Named "Lawyer of the Year": Best Lawyers® New Haven Region Land Use and Zoning Law (2022, 2024)
Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Energy & Natural Resources (2011-2024), Land Use/Zoning (2011-2015)
LEED Accredited Professional
Connecticut Bar Foundation: James W. Cooper Fellow

Professional Affiliations

Connecticut Bar Association:
Environmental Law Section, Chairman (2006-2007), Executive Committee (2002-present)
Planning and Zoning Section, Chairman (2012-2014), Executive Committee (2003-present)
New Haven County Bar Association: Environmental and Land Use Law Committee, Chairman (2008-2010)
American Bar Association

Community Involvement

Connecticut Green Bank; Board of Directors (2009-present)
New Haven Commission on Disabilities; Member (2007-2020)
Connecticut Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired; Member (2006-2014)
New Haven Green Fund; Board of Directors (2009-2010)
New Haven Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen; Board of Directors (2001-2005)
Elm City Shakespeare; Board of Directors (2014-2019)

Experience

Environmental

Legal and Technical PFAS Risk Management Planning for a Multi-State Food and Beverage Company

We provide comprehensive assistance to a large, multi-state food and beverage client undertaking an extensive legal and technical PFAS risk management plan to address its potential operational risks, including up and down its supply chain. The project involves engaging and directing a national environmental consulting firm, coordinating technical and legal advice on the rapidly changing legal/regulatory federal and multi-state landscape, advising on technical, health and litigation developments and addressing all stages of the client’s operations from procurement, food production, transportation, packaging and distribution. Our ongoing support also includes advising on PFAS sampling strategies, supply chain contracts, insurance coverage (looking backward and forward) and stakeholder communications.

Assisting a Multinational Specialty Chemicals Manufacturer Evaluate and Manage PFAS Risks Associated with Site Remediation and Wastewater Management

We are assisting a multinational specialty chemicals manufacturer assess and manage various PFAS risks, including on- and off-site soil and groundwater remediation, wastewater discharges/permitting, hazardous waste generation and transitioning the facility’s stationary and mobile fire suppression systems away from PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).

Ongoing Assistance to Food and Beverage Companies Regarding PFAS and Food Packaging Compliance

As state-level bans on intentionally added PFAS in food packaging continue to go into effect, we regularly assist food and beverage companies with multi-state and international footprints undertake highly nuanced legal and technical evaluations of PFAS risks associated with food packaging and compliance. This effort includes requesting certificates of compliance from upstream food packaging suppliers as well as evaluating and responding to similar demands from downstream distributors, wholesalers and retailers.

Assist Multi-Family Residential Developer Client in Connection with Agency-Requested PFAS Sampling

We represent a real estate development company in connection with the financing, environmental due diligence and remediation and redevelopment of various multi-family residential development projects in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Our representation includes negotiating the environmental provisions of the Purchase and Sale Agreements, advising on the application for a Flood Management Certificate, managing the design and implementation of dedicated environmental insurance coverage as well as navigating RCRA, state brownfield program and CT Transfer Act environmental investigation/remediation obligations. We also counsel the client in connection with its response to a multi-agency request to perform PFAS sampling in connection with the private and public financing of a development. We work closely with the client’s environmental consultant to prepare and implement an investigation and sampling plan and coordinate with the private/public lenders and DEEP to address PFAS concerns.

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Environmental litigation

Defended Federal Lawsuit Involving Third-Party Claims Under CERCLA

Defended national solid waste handling company in a federal lawsuit involving third-party claims under CERCLA and other theories concerning a transfer station on waterfront property in New Haven, Connecticut. Continue to negotiate follow-up agreements with several parties and with Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection on the terms, approval and payment for environmental remediation at the property.

General

Assisting an International Manufacturer Evaluate its Potential PFAS Exposures and Liabilities on Currently and Formerly Owned/Operated Sites

We are assisting an international manufacturing client evaluate its potential PFAS risks and liabilities in connection with historical fire fighter training areas on currently and formerly owned/operated properties. Our support has included reviewing legacy contracts and insurance and developing a PFAS risk management plan to understand the potential liabilities, estimated costs and potential for cost recovery from the parties that released the PFAS-containing fire-fighting foam. We also assisted the client negotiate a bespoke 10-year pollution legal liability environmental insurance policy, which included sublimited coverage for third-party bodily injury and property damage PFAS-related claims.

March 28, 2025