Todd K. Helwig

Todd is a partner and chair of the firm's Real Estate and Environmental Law Group. He represents buyers and sellers in all types of real estate transactions and represents both landlords and tenants in lease negotiations for office, manufacturing, retail, laboratory and biomedical space. In addition to assisting clients in obtaining the real estate on which to operate a successful business, Todd works with clients to obtain the permits and approvals required to operate their business. In this regard, he has significant experience representing clients before municipal boards and commissions and working with state regulatory agencies in Massachusetts.

Todd is also a LEED Accredited Professional.

In 2009, Todd was selected by the Worcester Business Journal as one of "40 under Forty" professionals honored for their professional excellence and community service.

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • Washington College of Law, American University JD (1996)
  • Bucknell University BA, magna cum laude (1993)
  • Represented a regional manufacturer in the acquisition and permitting of property for use as a manufacturing and distribution facility
  • Represented businesses and institutions in the negotiation of leases for laboratory, research and biomedical space in Massachusetts and Maryland
  • Represented a landowner in the negotiation of a hard rock mining lease that involved issues of environmental liability and the minefill of coal combustion waste
  • Represented a regional manufacturer in the disposition of surplus real property and the leasing of space for office and manufacturing use; assisted client with Chapter 21E hazardous materials contamination issues
  • Represented a high-technology company in connection with the disposition of surplus office space in multiple jurisdictions
  • Represented an institutional client in connection with its campus expansion plans, which involved working with MEPA, DCR and DEP to obtain the required approvals
  • Represented an international manufacturer in the leasing of a new assembly and distribution facility in Illinois

Publications/Presentations

Professional / Community Affiliations

  • Northborough Conservation Commission
  • Northborough Community Preservation Committee
  • Real Estate Bar Association
  • Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor, Inc., director/secretary
  • Northborough White Cliffs Commission, chair

A Classic Distinction Between Legal Remedies and Equitable Remedies:  1st Circuit Overturns Decades-Old Precedent On Citizen Enforcement of Clean Water Act

The First Circuit recently overturned a thirty-one year old decision on citizen enforcement of the Clean Water Act (CWA).  The now-overruled decision is North and South Rivers Watershed Ass’n v. Town of Scituate, 949 F.2d 552 (1st Cir. 1991), in …

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Municipal Law:  Supreme Court Lightens Up On Standard of Review for Certain Sign Bylaws

Recently, the Supreme Court addressed a challenge from two private entities related to the constitutionality of a sign bylaw (“Bylaw”) instituted by the City of Austin (“City”).  In City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Austin, LLC, et. al., …

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“A Trap for the Unwary:”  Bankruptcy Court Declares Debtor’s Homestead Deficient

In In re Luu, Danny Luu (the “Debtor”) argued that he had a homestead exemption in the amount of $324,960.00.  He argued that because he filed a homestead declaration on March 18, 2021—just two days prior to filing his Chapter …

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State’s Highest Court to Determine Scope of Dover Amendment Solar Protection in M.G.L. c. 40A

Last week, the SJC heard oral arguments for a case that is anticipated to potentially impact municipal zoning, specifically in the realm of solar energy projects.  The outcome of this case will either aid or inhibit a municipality’s ability to …

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Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022; New Law Extends Additional COVID-19 Emergency Rules

Public bodies may continue to hold remote meetings through April of 2022 under new legislation enacted this week. The statute, Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, authorizes a quorum of a board or committee to meet remotely and require remote …

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Municipal Permitting Timelines Resume on December 1

Effective December 1, municipal boards must follow the usual permitting deadlines following a COVID-19 statute enacted last week. Towns and cities had been operating under Section 17 of Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020, which tolled the deadlines for commencing …

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Important Update – The Impact of Coronavirus on the Construction Industry

Since our post on March 18, a lot has happened from both a health and regulatory standpoint as far as the impact from the outbreak of COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) on local and state construction practice.  Here is an update, as of …

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The Impact of Coronavirus on the Construction Industry

The outbreak of COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) has impacted all industries, including construction.  First and foremost, we are in the midst of a public health crisis, and the safety and well-being of all project participants should be top of mind.  We are …

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Executive Order Loosens Open Meeting Law Requirements During Coronavirus Emergency

Governor Baker signed an Executive Order relieving government boards and committees from compliance with certain Open Meeting Law requirements during the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. The Order gives public bodies greater leeway to hold closed-door and remote meetings, so that government agencies …

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SJC Reverses Appeals Court on Standing Requirements Under the Zoning Act – With Record Speed

All zoning conformities are alike, to rephrase Tolstoy’s famous opening line, but each zoning-related injury is injurious in its own way. Such has been the time-honored tenant of Massachusetts law for abutter standing under the Zoning Act.  To successfully challenge …

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PFAS Concerns Mounting for Cities and Towns as MassDEP Proposes Maximum Contaminant Level in Drinking Water

Many of our readers will be aware that on December 27, 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) proposed a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water of 20 parts per trillion (0.02 ug/L or ppt) for six PFAS …

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Building the Boroughs: A Year in Review

In 2019, Mirick O’Connell’s permitting attorneys were proud to help our clients, large and small, with local approvals in Marlborough for 6 great projects. Thank you to our clients and the City of Marlborough for a wonderful year! Click here …

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