EMAIL:
PHONE:
Office Address:
1914 4th Avenue North
Suite 400
Birmingham, AL 35203
University of Alabama School of Law
(2004; J.D.; summa cum laude; Order of the Coif; M. Leigh Harrison Award; Alabama Law Review, Articles Editor)
Yale University
(1998, M.F., School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, McCluskey Fellow)
Rhodes College
(1995, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, Leadership Rhodes)
U.S. District Court: Alabama (Northern, Middle, Southern)
State Bar: Alabama
Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers
Chambers USA: Leading Practitioner in the area of Environmental Law (2018âPresent)
Best LawyersÂŽ 2024 â Lawyer of the Year â Environmental Law â Birmingham
Listed in The Best Lawyers in AmericaÂŽ for Environmental Law (2013âPresent), Environmental Litigation (2020âPresent), Energy Law and Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions â Defendants (2022âPresent)
Mid-South Super Lawyers for Environmental Litigation (2016âPresent)
B-Metro, Selected as a Top Attorney (2020)
Alabama Super Lawyers â Environmental (2013â2015)
Alabama Super Lawyers â Environmental "Rising Star" (2010â2012)
Alabama State Bar Albert L. Vreeland Pro Bono Award (2009)
Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum (Class 7)
Birmingham Business Journal's "Top 40 Under 40" (2013)
Martindale-Hubbell AVÂŽ Preeminent Rating
Alabama State Bar Environmental Law Section, Executive Committee
Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum, Nominating Committee
U.S. Green Building Council, LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)
ABA Section on Environment, Energy and Resources (SEER)
Green Resource Center for Alabama, Former Board Member
Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyer Program, Former Board Member
Birmingham Multiple Sclerosis Society, Leadership Class of 2007
St. Stephenâs Episcopal Church, Vestry (2021â2023)
Chris is an environmental lawyer and former environmental consultant with over twenty years of experience solving environmental problems for heavily regulated industries. He is relentlessly focused on adding value by leveraging our firm's years of knowledge and experience dealing with environmental issues to efficiently achieve clients'â business goals. Clients include pipeline and natural resource companies, real estate developers, manufacturers, landfill owners, and local governments.
Some highlights of Chrisâs environmental trial experience include the defense of a landfill against allegations of PFAS contamination in groundwater and storm water runoff. Chris has also tried cases involving allegations of air pollution from a large manufacturing facility and a civil rights claims related to the taxation of forestry in Alabama. Notable transaction and compliance matters include representation of a fireworks distribution company in obtaining an air permit for its operations in Alabama, advice related to vehicle emissions for engine importers and utility truck upfitters, and compliance with HUD environmental regulations related to the development of low-income housing.
With extensive experience in both litigation and regulatory compliance, Chris brings a unique perspective to finding practical solutions to our clientsâ environmental issues. His litigation experience includes defending clients in land use disputes and toxic torts, citizen suits, and EPA and state administrative actions. He also helps clients prevent litigation when advising them on the environmental risks and opportunities associated with a real estate deal or other business transaction, obtain and comply with required permits, and develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to ensure continued compliance.
Chris is recognized as a leading attorney in environmental law by Chambers and Partners. He is a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers. He has served as the Chair of the Environmental Law Section of the Alabama State Bar and on the boards of the Green Resource Center for Alabama, Birmingham Volunteer Lawyer Program, and Cahaba River Society.