Richard A. Nylen, Jr.

Richard A. Nylen Jr. is a founding partner of Lynch, DeCourcey & Nylen, LLP, in Boston, Massachusetts. Since earning his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1979, he has built a reputation as one of the Commonwealth’s foremost authorities on environmental and land-use law. His practice spans local, state and federal regulatory regimes, including the Wetlands Protection Act, Solid Waste Act, M.G.L. c. 21E, Chapter 91 tidelands regulations, MEPA, Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, Coastal Zone Management, Endangered Species Act and myriad municipal wetland bylaws.

Mr. Nylen represents both private and public clients ranging from real estate developers, waterfront and golf-course owners, and landfill operators to municipalities handling permitting, enforcement defense, administrative hearings and bylaw appeals. He is especially recognized for his deep competence under the Wetlands Protection Act, advising on complex issues such as Riverfront Area delineations, vernal-pool protection, wetland crossings and contested enforcement actions.

Among his landmark engagements, Mr. Nylen served as lead environmental counsel to the MBTA on its $400 million Greenbush Commuter Rail rehabilitation, successfully navigating Conservation Commissions, DEP proceedings, Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the U.S. District Court. He also advises the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) – the state’s largest commercial real-estate trade association – on regulatory and land-use policy.

A frequent lecturer for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) and the Boston Bar Association, Mr. Nylen contributes his insight to legislative and regulatory advisory bodies, notably as a member of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Fees and Program Improvement Advisory Board. He previously served as chief counsel to the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and as Commissioner of the Metropolitan District Commission. His professional achievements have earned him inclusion in Chambers USA’s list of leading environmental lawyers and the AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.