Kristin L. Watt
Ms. Watt is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and chair of the energy and environment group. Her practice focuses on environmental compliance and counseling, enforcement defense, environmental audits, and permitting issues. She also assists with due diligence in business and commercial real estate transactions and the contracting provisions related to each. Ms. Watt has special expertise in landfills and petroleum underground storage tanks. She practices before both administrative bodies and the courts.
Career highlights include:
- Arguing successfully before the 10th District Court of Appeals
- Regularly appearing before the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board where she has been successful in arguing issues relating to insurance coverage
- Settling a $3 million dollar case for a governmental agency client
Ms. Watt is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law National Council.
Ms. Watt has spoken on many topics, including multimedia audits, environmental audit privileges, environmental issues related to real estate transactions, storm water regulations, underground storage tanks, and Daubert issues.
Ms. Watt received her J.D. with honors from The Ohio State University College of Law and her B.S.B.A. cum laude from The Ohio State University.
Professional and Community Activities
- Opera Columbus, Trustee, 2004-present
- Ohio State Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, Secretary, 2007-2009; Vice-Chair, present
- Ohio State Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, Annual Seminar, Co-Chair, 2006
- The Ohio State University Varsity O Women’s Alumnae Society, President, 1992-1994; Board Member, 1992-2002
- Columbus Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, Chair, 2000-2001
- The Ohio State University Athletic Council, Alumni Representative, 1995-1999
- The Ohio State University Alumni Advisory Council, 1997-1999
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, 2008-2010
- Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 1998
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Environmental, 2004-2007, 2009
- Business First, Forty under 40, 1994
- Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Natural Resources and Environment, 2007-2009
News
- Vorys ranked #1 law firm in Ohio on 2010 Best Lawyers in America® list
- 27 Vorys Attorneys Recognized in 2009 Chambers USA
- 70 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers
- Watt Recognized with Barbie Tootle Buckeye Spirit Award
- 28 Vorys Attorneys Named Leading Practitioners in Ohio
- Vorys named the "2008 Leading Ohio Law Firm" by Best Lawyers
- 28 Vorys Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers for Business by Chambers USA
Events
Publications
"Paper or Plastic? Retailers May Be Losing Choice," co-author, Environmental Law360, May 2009
“Environmental Homework Will Pay Off When Taking On Infill Projects,” Business First, July 2007
- Paper or Plastic? Retailers May Be Losing Choice
- Client Alert: EPA Announces Carbon Nanotubes to be Treated as New Chemical Under TSCA
- Client Alert: Nanotechnology Excluded from Insurance by Continental Western Insurance Group
- Client Alert: Paper or Plastic?
- "Environmental Homework Will Pay Off When Taking on Infill Projects"