Jake represents companies, developers and lenders in environmental regulatory and transactional matters, with a focus on environmental risk in corporate, real estate and project finance transactions. He advises on environmental diligence, compliance and enforcement issues that affect deal structure, timing and value, and counsels clients on federal and state enforcement matters, including spill and release issues, corrective action obligations, and agency inquiries and enforcement actions.

He also represents lenders and developers in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, including solar, wind, geothermal, data center and battery storage assets, with a focus on permitting and regulatory requirements.

His experience includes environmental risk allocation in corporate and real estate transactions and work involving brownfield and other impacted properties, including liability and cleanup obligations under CERCLA, state voluntary cleanup programs and emerging contaminants such as PFAS.

Education

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., 2021)
    • Journal of Environmental and Energy Law, editor-in-chief
  • University of Alabama (B.A., 2016)

    Bar Admission

    • Illinois
    • Ohio
    • Colorado

    Professional Affiliations

    • Rocky Mountain Association of Environmental Professionals, Board of Directors – Secretary
    • American Bar Association, SEER Endangered Species Committee, Vice Chair
    • Colorado Environmental Management Society
    • Colorado Bar Association
    • Denver Bar Association
    • Illinois State Bar Association
    • Ohio State Bar Association

    Recognition

    • Named one of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in Environmental Law, 2026
    • CALI Award for Excellence in Environmental Law and Policy 2
    • CALI Award for Excellence in Animal Law
    Publications
    All Publications
    Extended Producer Responsibility Laws Expand Across States; Key Compliance Deadlines Approaching
    Key Takeaways Packaging extended producer responsibility laws are now in effect in seven states, with additional states advancing similar frameworks. These laws shift responsibility for packaging waste management from municipalities to companies placing materials into the market. These laws create state-specific compliance obligations, including PRO participation, reporting and fee payments. Noncompliance can trigger enforcement referrals and significant penalties as deadlines take effect between 2025 and 2030. Companies should assess whether they qualify as obligated producers and identify applicable state requirements, and focus on upcoming registration and reporting deadlines, including upcoming deadlines on May 31, 2026. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are expanding rapidly across the United States. These laws shift the financial responsibility for collecting, recycling and managing packaging waste from consumers and municipalities
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    PFAS Risk in the Development Lifecycle
    Emily Pulcher of Burns & McDonnell was a contributing author to this article. From initial property acquisitions to construction, financing and eventual disposition, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are no longer just considered an “emerging issue” — they are at the forefront of almost every real estate and development transaction and among the most rapidly evolving environmental considerations facing real estate developers today. At the federal level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to regulate and seek information regarding PFAS and their usage. Meanwhile, state regulators have started regulating PFAS in soil, groundwater, drinking water, manufacturing processes and even consumer products, often more aggressively than their federal counterparts. But while the federal and state regulations vary significantly, the goal is
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