Celebrating Twenty Years of Environmental Law Excellence

Founded in 2004 by Attorney Michael P. Carvalho, Carvalho & Associates, P.C. proudly marks its 20th anniversary in 2024. Over the past two decades, the firm has established itself as a leading authority in Environmental Law and related matters. With over 20 years of legal experience, Mr. Carvalho is licensed to practice law in Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, and the District of Columbia. The firm operates satellite offices in Boston, Detroit, and Washington, D.C.

Our attorneys are adept at handling a wide range of legal issues, including Land Use, Environmental Law, Energy Law, and Real Estate Matters. We are particularly noted for our expertise in Environmental Law and Regulatory issues, such as CERCLA/SARA “Superfund” actions (defense, cost allocation, and cost recovery), RCRA, TSCA, CAA, and the Clean Water Act. We also provide critical advice on environmental and transactional matters involving risk allocation and transfer, regulatory compliance, permitting, and licensing.

Background and Experience

Mr. Carvalho grew up in Massachusetts and earned his B.A. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. From 1986 to 1994, he worked as an environmental consultant, including serving as President and CEO of Site Assessment Specialists, Inc. His consulting work involved assessment and litigation support for CERCLA/SARA matters, environmental risk management, and remediation services for major clients like Waste Management, Inc., and General Motors Corporation.

Mr. Carvalho obtained his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University Law School in 1994 while working nights. He sold his consulting company to a publicly held firm and transitioned to full-time legal practice. His experience includes serving as in-house environmental counsel for First Chicago-NBD Bank (now J.P. Morgan Chase) and General Motors Corporation. In Washington, D.C., he was a partner at O’Connor & Hannan, LLP, where he managed energy and environmental transactional matters across various countries.

In 2001, Mr. Carvalho moved to Georgia to support a Fortune 100 client with national expansion and development of retail “Big-Box” stores on environmentally impaired properties. His current and past clients include XL Environmental Insurance Co., Calpine Energy Corporation, Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., General Motors Corporation, U.S. Restaurant Properties, Inc., and Entertainment Publishing Co., among others. He has represented businesses and individuals in CERCLA/SARA actions, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, TSCA, RCRA, and related matters.

Significant Achievements

Since its founding, Carvalho & Associates has achieved notable success in the courtroom, including:

• $5.2 Million Judgment in Storm Water & Property Rights Case – Record Judgment in Georgia (2012)
• $2.5 Million Jury Verdict in Storm Water Case & Property Rights Case – Highest jury verdict of its kind in Georgia history (2011), upheld by the Georgia Court of Appeals (2013)
• $406,000 Sanction Award for Destruction of Electronically Stored Information – Highest sanction of its kind in Georgia history (2011)
• $725,000 Settlement in a personal injury case involving illegal police pursuit resulting in traumatic amputation of a pedestrian’s leg (2011)
• Negotiated Settlement of Alleged Violations of Section 113 of the Federal Clean Air Act – First in U.S. EPA history (2010)
• Successfully Represented the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) – In connection with appeal of Public Service Commission ruling involving $6.4 Billion for two new nuclear reactors (2010)
• $975,000 Confidential Settlement in an environmental property damage case (2009)
• Successfully Negotiated the First Consent Order under Section 113 of the Clean Air Act in EPA history (2008)

Role as UNEA-4 Delegate

In 2019, Mr. Carvalho was honored to serve as a delegate representing North America at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEA is the highest decision-making body on environmental matters, providing a critical platform for global leaders to address pressing environmental issues and shape international policies. Mr. Carvalho played a pivotal role in discussions on environmental sustainability and policy development during this assembly. His involvement included participation in the Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR), the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, and the UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment. His role as a delegate underscored his expertise in environmental law and his commitment to advancing international cooperation on climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Professional Affiliations and Contributions

Mr. Carvalho is a member of the State Bars of Massachusetts, Michigan, Georgia, and the District of Columbia. He is admitted to practice before various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and has served on several professional boards and associations, including the Essex County Bar Association, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Cobb County Trial Lawyers, and the Environmental Section of the State Bar of Georgia. He is also an active member of the National Brownfields Association and recently appointed to the National Board of Directors of the EnvironMentors Project of the National Council of Science and Environment (NCSE).

Teaching and Lecturing

Mr. Carvalho has taught and lectured at prestigious institutions such as Wayne State University, Georgia State University Law School, Mercer Law School, and Emory University School of Public Health and Law School. His expertise spans environmental law and science, and he regularly provides national training on various environmental regulations and assessments. He also serves on the Board of Editors for ICSC’s “Retail Law Strategist.”

Expeditions and Environmental Stewardship

In addition to his legal work, Mr. Carvalho is deeply involved in environmental advocacy through citizen science expeditions. His notable expeditions include:

• 2018: SCUBA Diving Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, diving among icebergs, penguins, and leopard seals.
• 2022: Expedition to the Arctic Circle and Spitsbergen, focusing on walrus and whales and studying the adaptations of Svalbard reindeer to climate change.
• 2024: Participation in the POLEs Citizen-Science Expedition to Antarctica, assessing glacial runoff, temperature fluctuations, and salinity changes on marine biodiversity.

Mr. Carvalho’s commitment to environmental issues and his contributions to global discussions on climate change and marine conservation underscore his dedication to advancing environmental stewardship and policy.