Baker Botts L.L.P. regularly advises on environmental tort and nuisance litigation arising from claims involving air, water, and waste issues, with particular expertise in the energy sector. The team brings experience handling crisis response for major environmental incidents, multidistrict litigation (MDL), and defending against multi-jurisdictional class certification. In Houston, Russell Lewis serves clients in negligence and condemnation proceedings and advises energy and manufacturing companies on litigation risks and operational strategies. Also in Houston, Benjamin Gonsoulin represents energy, chemical, and real estate clients in state and federal courts in a wide range of matters spanning environmental contamination and industrial accidents. In Washington DC, Joshua Frank is experienced in natural resource damage litigation under CERCLA and federal enforcement actions under the Clean Air Act, while Kent Mayo’s practice encompasses litigation involving chemical spills and water contamination.
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Key clients
- Assertio Therapeutics
- Avista Corporation
- Deer Park Refining LP
- Hess Corporation
- Flint Hills Resources
- Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Intercontinental Terminals Company
- Murphy Oil
- PacifiCorp
- Portland General Electric
- Puget Sound Energy
- Repsol SA
Work highlights
Representing Halliburton Energy Services in a mass tort litigation in Louisiana asserting groundwater and soil contamination claims, most recently, securing the dismissal of Halliburton from the bellwether trial.
Representing West Virginia-American Water Company in litigation arising from a gas pipeline interruption incident.
Representing Deer Park Refining LP in connection with an H2S release that occurred in October 2024.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Joshua Frank; Kent Mayo; Russell Lewis; Benjamin Gonsoulin