As published in COMMERCE Magazine By Martin C. Daks WHEN PHIL MURPHY WAS running for governor, he advanced an ambitious environmental agenda. Now that he is in Trenton as New Jersey’s top executive, inquiring minds are asking how Gov. Murphy’s green agenda will affect businesses. COMMERCE asked the following experts for their insights, thoughts and observations. Rutter & Roy, LLP Christine A. Roy, Esq., Partner There is some uncertainty about how the new administration will implement current regulations, and whether it will seek to amend them, according to Roy. “During the Christie administration, several of the permitting schemes were revamped to be consistent with one another, including the Coastal Zone Management Rules, Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, and, most recently, the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules.” Roy represents several interstate natural gas pipeline companies in New Jersey, so she’s watching how …

Rutter & Roy Partner Christine A. Roy has been selected as one of the top attorneys in 2017 by Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal. This is the second year in a row she has been honored by the publication. With nearly 20 years of experience, Christine’s deep understanding of land use, transportation and pipeline law has impacted critical issues in New Jersey for decades. She has handled right-of-way acquisitions involving interstate natural gas pipeline projects and has served as lead counsel on approximately 100 condemnation actions filed in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey in connection with four major interstate natural gas pipeline projects. Roy is a member and past president of the International Right of Way Association, NJ Chapter. Roy is a former member of the New Brunswick and Middlesex County Bar Associations and is currently a member of the Monmouth County, New …

FREEHOLD, N.J., June 5, 2017 – Rutter & Roy LLP (formerly Watson, Stevens, Rutter & Roy), announced that Brian W. Keatts, Esq. of Shrewsbury has joined the firm as a senior associate attorney. Since its founding in 1909, the regional law firm has focused on the areas of energy, infrastructure and environment, primarily in New Jersey and surrounding states. “Our firm’s unique culture distinguishes it from other law practices, and Brian’s experience and commitment to client service are a perfect fit,” said Rutter & Roy partner Christine A. Roy. “He brings added depth to our skilled team and will play an integral role in our continued growth.” Most recently, Keatts served as an associate with Parker, Ibrahim & Berg, LLC in Somerset, where he focused on representing design professionals and financial institutions in litigation and transactional matters in various state …

Christine A. Roy is a partner with Rutter & Roy, LLP, a Freehold-based law firm focused on the complex areas of energy, infrastructure and environment, primarily in New Jersey and surrounding states. We asked Christine what companies need to know about property restrictions in New Jersey. Know what you’re looking for. In New Jersey, land preservation comes in all shapes and sizes. We’ve been doing this work for over 30 years, and the due diligence required to definitively identify preserved land in this state cannot be underestimated. For example, when researching Green Acres encumbrances we use a proprietary checklist that goes well beyond the Green Acres Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI) database maintained by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to include title search, records in Trenton and information acquired directly from local units. Identify property restrictions …

FREEHOLD, N.J., April 24, 2017 – Rutter & Roy represented Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) in a case involving Chesterfield Township’s refusal to issue building permits for construction of a compressor station, meter and regulating station and electrical substation. The work is part of the Garden State Expansion Project (Project) which, upon completion, will allow New Jersey Natural Gas – a local gas distribution company impacted by Hurricane Sandy – to access additional supplies of natural gas and provide enhanced service to customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Rutter & Roy filed the lawsuit on Transco’s behalf on September 16, 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, seeking (1) a declaratory judgment holding that the Township’s laws and regulations are preempted by federal law and constitute an undue burden on interstate commerce; and …

Rutter & Roy partner Christine A. Roy has been named one of the top attorneys of 2016 by Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal. She has been recognized for her strong ethics, knowledge and passion for her work as well as her impact on key issues in New Jersey as a result of her extensive experience in land use, transportation and pipeline law. Roy joined the firm in 1999 and has been lead counsel on approximately 100 condemnation actions filed in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey (Camden, Newark and Trenton combined) in connection with four major interstate natural gas pipeline projects.

Court Rules in Favor of NJDEP, Tosses Challenges by Conservation Groups FREEHOLD, N.J., Oct. 4, 2016 – Rutter & Roy, LLP (formerly Watson, Stevens, Rutter & Roy), a regional law firm, represented Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) in a case brought by several conservation groups challenging the issuance of permits and authorizations granted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to Transco for its Leidy Southeast Expansion Project. Transco, which operates a 10,000-mile pipeline that extends from South Texas to New York City, sought federal approval to expand a portion of its pipeline, called the Leidy Line, which connects gas wells in Central Pennsylvania with its main pipeline. Transco’s natural gas pipeline expansion would add approximately 30 miles of additional pipe segments, called loops, as well as upgrade turbines at four compressor stations.  Transco proposed to …

Rutter & Roy Partner Has Extensive Experience in Environmental Law and Eminent Domain FREEHOLD, N.J., Aug.16, 2016 – Christine A. Roy, a partner in Rutter & Roy LLP (formerly Watson, Stevens, Rutter & Roy), has been asked to serve on the International Right of Way Association’s (IRWA) International Ethics Committee. The mission of the IRWA Ethics Committee is to promote and enforce the highest ethical and professional standards of the IRWA. Members review alleged violations of the IRWA’s rules of Professional Conduct and/or Standards of Practice for Right of Way Professionals. The committee maintains a roster of ethics officers who are trained in the procedures for handling ethics investigations. Ethics officers volunteer their services on an as needed basis. Roy has been actively involved with the IRWA, New Jersey Chapter 15, since 2003, having served as a past president. She …