John Gilmour
Kelley Drye & Warren LLPFielding a team of ‘clever thinkers and fearless litigators’, the environmental litigation team at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP remains ’at the forefront of emerging trends and changing regulations, and new developments in the law.’ Led by natural resource damages claims specialists William Jackson and John Gilmour, the firm is also a first point of contact for states and government entities and seeking assistance with damages claims, particularly those related to contaminated waterways, river systems and groundwater sites. William Petit attracts clients from across the energy, transport, manufacturing and real estate sectors for his experience in commercial and environmental litigation, while Jennifer Barks, who was promoted to partner in 2023, ‘excels in complex litigation’, regularly handling a variety of contamination and tort related matters. All lawyers mentioned are based in Houston.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A collection of clever thinkers and fearless litigators.'
'Environmental law is constantly evolving, and KDW is at the forefront of emerging trends and changing regulations, and new developments in the law.'
'The firm is filled with brilliant strategists that achieve excellent results for their clients. ’
‘William Jackson leads this practice and does an amazing job. I trust his instincts, vision, and strategic thinking on all of my biggest cases.'
- 'John Gilmour is one of the best all around attorneys I've worked with. He is a skilled writer, handles oral argument with ease and confidence, and can synthesize complicated cases into their core, winning concepts.'
- 'Jennifer Barks is a newly-minted partner and an excellent brief-writer who excels in complex litigation. Hard working and creative.'
‘KDW's environmental litigation team is diverse, talented, responsive, and collaborative.’
‘KDW's environmental litigators are at the forefront of seemingly every leading environmental issue.’
Key clients
- The State of Ohio
- New Mexico Environment Department
- San Diego Unified Port District (the “Port of San Diego”)
- The Valero Companies
- Guam Office of the Attorney General
- The State of Alaska
- New Jersey Office of Attorney General
- Rhode Island Office of Attorney General
- The State of New Hampshire
- The State of Montana
- The State of New Jersey
Work highlights
- Represented New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in a lawsuit brought against Solvay and Arkema for regional perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA—a type of PFAS) contamination, including to drinking water supplies, as a result of discharges from Solvay’s West Deptford facility.
- Representing the Government of Guam as lead counsel in a cost-recovery suit filed against the United States on March 2, 2017 to recover costs incurred in response to the contamination at the Ordot Dump pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
William Jackson
Kelley Drye & Warren LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
John Gilmour, William Jackson