Nathaniel B. Morse

Nat is an associate in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the Environmental group.  Prior to his legal career, he spent ten years in the environmental consulting and academic sectors.  Combining this background with his legal experience, Nat helps clients navigate complex state and federal environmental matters.

Nat has broad environmental law experience, including a particular focus on Clean Water Act matters. He has substantial experience working with municipalities and industrial clients on a range of clean water issues: offering guidance on NPDES permitting; federal, state, and local permit compliance; stormwater permitting; pretreatment compliance; wetland permitting; and enforcement defense.

Nat also advises clients on compliance and permitting under various state and federal environmental laws, including the Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Nat has significant experience representing clients during the purchase and sale of real estate and corporate transactions.

Additionally, Nat works closely with Vorys’ Energy practice group in proceedings at the Ohio Power Siting Board and on transactional matters related to the financing and construction funding of energy infrastructure projects. This includes assisting clients during the development and permitting of energy generation projects, including utility-scale projects that require a certificate from the Ohio Power Siting Board and those projects that require local approvals. Nat also represents lenders and developers on various financial transactions, including during the purchase and sale of power generation projects, construction financing, and debt restructuring.

Career highlights include:

• Advising clients on various Clean Water Act, wetland, industrial discharge and stormwater matters

• Conducting environmental due diligence in various real estate and corporate transactions, including managing Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments, reviewing reports and drafting client friendly contract provisions

• Assisting clients in proceedings before the Ohio Power Siting Board for multiple renewable energy projects

• Representing lenders and developers of various energy infrastructure matters in construction and debt financing transactions

• Challenging a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to bury a transmission line across a sensitive New Hampshire estuary under both NEPA and the Clean Water Act

• Assisting a major international alternative energy developer gain approval to construct the first utility-scale solar project in New Hampshire

Before law school, Nat earned his Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of New Hampshire, where his research evaluated the impacts of suburbanization on water quality. His research explored biogeochemistry of suburban river networks, with a focus on in-stream nutrient cycling. Nat has published numerous articles on these topics and presented nationally and internationally.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Environmental Law, 2024-2025

New Hampshire Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Environmental, 2020

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Environmental, 2023-2025

Professional & Community Activities

Ohio State Bar Association, Energy and Environmental Law Seminar Planning Committee, Member, 2024

Ohio State Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Member, 2020-Present

Water Management Association of Ohio, Member, 2022-Present

Ohio Water Environment Association, Member, 2022-Present

The Breathing Association, Board Member, 2024

Environmental Law Institute, Emerging Leaders Initiative, 2019-2020

American Bar Association, Member, 2017-2020

Second Start, Board Secretary, 2018-2020

Granite United Way, Merrimack County Community Impact Committee, Member, 2018-2020