Ann Catino, Chair of the Environmental & Land Use Practice Group presented a breakfast discussion on the growing trends in environmental enforcement against individuals by the Connecticut Department of the Environmental Protection.

From now on, you and the company could be held responsible for the failure of the corporation to comply with environmental laws. Many times officers, directors and shareholders of corporations believe they cannot be held personally responsible for the acts of the corporation. While individuals believe they are personally shielded under the veil of the corporation, this shield may not be very protective if environmental compliance is at issue.

So, before you cut down that tree, excavate that property, or design a discharge system, you need to understand the personal consequences that may attach to that activity.