Governor Phil Scott Monday, July 15 announced the appointment of attorney Joseph McLean as a superior court judge of the environmental division.

“Joe has demonstrated a strong understanding of Vermont’s environmental laws through his decades of legal experience,” said Governor Phil Scott. “His experience, and balanced approach to the law will serve Vermonters well.”

For more than 28 years, McLean worked in private practice, first as an associate then owner, providing legal services to Vermont municipalities. Throughout his career, his work has focused on land use regulation, permitting, development review and enforcement, Act 250 and Section 248 proceedings. 

McLean graduated magna cum laude from Bowdoin College, with a dual major in English and Government and Legal Studies. He graduated cum laude from Vermont Law School, where he was a member of the Vermont Law Review.  A Vermont native, he is associated with SP&F Attorneys, with offices on Battery Street in Burlington.

The environmental division is a statewide court which handles environmental law cases. The environmental division hears appeals and enforcement actions that include:

– Appeals from municipal panels
– Appeals from Act 250 decisions
– Appeals from the Agency of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Board
– Municipal enforcement actions
– Agency of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Board enforcement actions

There are two environmental judges assigned to the environmental division. The division hears trials throughout the state. The division conducts most early hearings by telephone, unless the judge would like to have parties in court or there is evidence to present. If a courtroom hearing is necessary, it is held in the area where the case began so that litigants do not need to travel a great distance.