Environmental Law

Our firm combines a passion for science with decades of experience in environmental law in a variety of practice areas, including stormwater management, toxic torts, hazardous waste work and much more.

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Construction Law

We will help you build safely by providing guidance on the environmental issues within your project from the ground up, including site planning, permitting, due diligence and regulatory compliance.

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Energy Law

The emerging renewable energy market requires attorneys like ours who understand the science and are committed to helping clients in the energy sector address all the legal and regulatory matters.

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Real Estate Law

Our attorneys can assess the environmental concerns of any property type to ensure a smooth transaction while avoiding any unforeseen costs and arriving at reasonable resolutions.

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Celebrating Twenty Years of Excellence

As Carvalho & Associates, P.C. marks its 20th anniversary, Principal Attorney Michael P. Carvalho reflects on two decades of providing strategic legal counsel to clients facing complex challenges. More than just an attorney, Michael is a trusted advisor and advocate, known for his unwavering integrity, tenacity, and commitment to excellence.

With a background as a former environmental consultant, Michael is nationally recognized for his expertise in redeveloping environmentally impaired properties. His blend of technical knowledge and hands-on experience allows him to quickly pinpoint key issues, collaborate with specialists, and guide clients toward achieving their objectives efficiently and effectively.

For Michael, legal practice is about more than solving problems—it’s about understanding the client’s broader vision. He takes the time to listen, chart a clear path forward, and help clients take calculated risks to realize their goals, whether navigating environmental regulations, closing real estate deals, or advising corporate leaders.

Throughout his 20-year career, Michael has been driven by core values that continue to shape his approach. He places his clients’ objectives at the center of his legal strategies, crafting tailored solutions that deliver meaningful results. Honesty and transparency are the foundation of his relationships, ensuring trust and long-term partnerships. Known for his ability to find solutions where others see obstacles, Michael has earned a reputation as a creative and strategic thinker who thrives on solving tough legal challenges.

Over the years, Michael has successfully represented clients in a wide range of matters, from environmental compliance to large-scale real estate development projects. His results-oriented approach has gained him the respect of both peers and clients, solidifying his standing as a leading environmental trial lawyer.

As Carvalho & Associates looks to the future, Michael’s leadership and vision will continue to guide the firm in delivering exceptional legal services, building on a 20-year legacy of excellence and client success.

Areas of Interest

March 2024: Expedition to Antarctica – Uncovering Critical Insights into Polar Marine Ecosystems

Michael Carvalho, Esq., an environmental attorney, expert polar SCUBA diver, and National Member of The Explorers Club, plays a key role in this expedition. Carvalho will contribute his expertise to the expedition’s scientific efforts while also preparing a policy assessment paper. His focus will be on the Science-Policy Nexus of The Treaty of Antarctica (Madrid Protocol), analyzing whether current international environmental laws are sufficient to protect the Antarctic environment in the face of rapidly changing climate conditions.

The Future of Polar Research

Phase 1: Antarctica 2024 represents the first step in a larger, long-term project that seeks to better understand and mitigate the environmental changes occurring in polar regions. By contributing to both scientific knowledge and environmental policy, the POLEs Expedition is positioned to have a lasting impact on both local ecosystems and global climate strategies.

Why This Work Matters to Our Future

The research conducted during the POLEs Expedition is crucial for understanding the profound and accelerating impacts of climate change on polar ecosystems. These environments, often referred to as the Earth’s early-warning systems, provide vital clues about global environmental changes that will affect every corner of the world.

Climate Change and Polar Ecosystems

Polar regions, particularly Antarctica, are among the most rapidly changing environments on Earth. Rising global temperatures are causing glaciers to melt at unprecedented rates, leading to increased freshwater runoff into coastal ecosystems. This disrupts salinity levels, ocean currents, and temperature gradients, which in turn affects the intricate balance of the marine food web. By studying changes in plankton populations, glacial outflows, and oceanographic conditions, the POLEs Expedition aims to provide critical insights into how these interconnected systems are evolving—and what that means for the future of the global climate system.

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Community Involvement

Balancing Renewable Energy and Marine Conservation: GMGI’s Research on Wind Farms in Stellwagen Bank

With the growing interest in renewable energy, wind power has become a promising option for increasing local energy independence while reducing carbon emissions. A proposed wind farm in Stellwagen Bank is currently being studied by engineers, economists, and scientists. The primary concerns being explored are the potential effects of wind farm construction and operation on marine life. One of the most significant factors under review is the underwater noise output, both from the wind turbines themselves and from the increased boat traffic required for installation and maintenance.

Research has shown that excessive underwater noise can disrupt the migration patterns of fish and marine mammals, potentially affecting the sanctuary’s biodiversity and fisheries. GMGI’s work in this area is crucial in helping to assess the environmental impact of such developments, ensuring that renewable energy projects, like wind farms, can be implemented sustainably, without causing harm to the marine life that thrives in Stellwagen Bank.

By combining advanced marine genomics research with environmental policy, GMGI aims to provide science-based solutions that balance economic development with the protection of our valuable marine ecosystems.

GMGI Website