Kristin L. Watt

Kristin is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and chair of the environmental group.  Her practice is results-oriented and focuses on environmental compliance and counseling, enforcement defense and order negotiation, environmental audits, permitting issues and Brownfield redevelopment.  She counsels clients with their due diligence in business and commercial real estate transactions and assists with contracting provisions related to each.  Kristin has worked extensively in the areas of solid and hazardous wastes, petroleum underground storage tanks, NPDES permits, wetlands and environmental investigation/remediation.  Kristin has extensive experience with the development of data centers, including brownfield considerations, permitting and site due diligence. 

She practices before both administrative bodies and the courts.

Career highlights include:

• Has assisted many dozens of sites navigate through Ohio’s Voluntary Action Program, including sites that have been neglected and vacant for decades
• Assisted permitting Ohio’s first non-hazardous waste Class 1 injection well
• Wetland permitting for some of Ohio’s largest economic development projects
• Acting as “special counsel” for a collegiate university client related to Ohio EPA negotiations and purchase/sale of Brownfields sites

Kristin is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law National Council.

Kristin 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 environmental issues related to Ohio shale fracking.

Kristin received her J.D. with honors from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and her B.S.B.A. cum laude from The Ohio State University.

Honors & Recognitions

Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers, Environmental Law, 2022-2024; Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2022-2024

The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, 2008-2025; Litigation – Environmental, 2013-2025; Natural Resource Law, 2021-2025

The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2013, 2017, 2025

Ohio Super Lawyers, Environmental, 2004-2007, 2009, 2012-2025

Ohio Super Lawyers, Top 25 Women Columbus Area Super Lawyers, 2015-2016, 2021-2024

Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Natural Resources and Environment, 2007-2022

Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Environment, 2023-2025

Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010-2021

Fellow of the American Bar Foundation since 2013

Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated

Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 1998

Columbus Business First, 40 Under 40, 1994

Professional & Community Activities

The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Board Chair, 2017-2019; Board of Directors, 2014-2019

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law National Council, 2000 to present

Radio Color Commentator for The Ohio State University Women's Basketball Team since 1987

Alpha Phi Rho Corporation, Housing Board (at The Ohio State University), 2006 to present

Ohio State Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, Chair, 2010-2013; Vice-Chair, 2008-2010; Secretary, 2007-2009

Ohio State Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, Annual Seminar, Co-Chair, 2006

Ohio Oil & Gas Association, Board of Trustees, 2015-2022

Opera Columbus, Trustee, 2004-2010

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