J. D. Head is managing partner of the Firm. Mr. Head has practiced environmental and administrative law in Texas for over 30 years representing regulated entities, governmental bodies and individuals in areas of water quality and surface water rights permitting, groundwater regulation, solid and hazardous waste permitting, regulation and remediation, air quality and enforcement actions covering all environmental media. Mr. Head formerly served as Director of the Legal Division and General Counsel of the State of Texas' environmental regulatory agency. Mr. Head has been listed by Chambers USA in 2004-2011 as one of the leading environmental attorneys in the State of Texas. Mr. Head has been listed as a "Super Lawyer" in the environmental area by Texas Monthly Magazine for 2006-2011. Mr. Head has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America and Who's Who Legal for environmental law.
Experience and Accomplishments
-
Representation of clients in renewal of hazardous waste facility permit for the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
-
Represented numerous clients in administrative penalty enforcement actions for alleged violations of environmental laws.
-
Representation of numerous clients in civil enforcement cases brought by Texas Attorney General's Office.
-
Represented waste management company in negotiating a unique and cost-effective closure of an industrial waste disposal site.
-
Successfully defended a municipal solid waste company in numerous appeals of its new landfill permit.
-
Counsel to underground water conservation district.
-
Assisted various clients in water rights permitting.
-
Successfully represented numerous governmental entities and industrial facilities in obtaining wastewater discharge permits.
-
Represented citizens group and various governmental entities in successfully protesting a proposed hazardous waste injection well facility, the permit application being denied by the regulatory authority.
-
Represented a Texas county opposed to an industrial solid waste landfill, convincing the state environmental agency to cease processing the application and return it to applicant.
-
Represented client in cost recovery action involving remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by tenant's dry cleaning business. Case settled in mediation.
-
Obtained numerous regulatory agency approvals for clients engaged in novel waste recycling project.
-
Obtained numerous regulatory agency approvals for client involvement in river sand and gravel dredging projects.
-
Experience in environmental due diligence and preparation of legal documents related to real estate transactions.
Professional Qualifications
Memberships
-
State Bar of Texas (1980)
-
Texas State Bar College
-
U.S. District Court, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
-
American Bar Association
-
Austin Bar Association
-
Air & Waste Management Association
-
Texas Water Conservation Association
-
Advisory Board for Austin Bar Association's Environmental, Natural Resources and Water Law Section
Education
- Stanford University (B.A. Psychology 1976)
- University of Texas (J. D. 1980)
Articles
- "Federal Agency Responsibility to Assess Extraterritorial Environmental Impacts" 14 Texas International Law Journal 425-452 (1979).
