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Ben Cowan's environmental law practice covers regulatory and compliance issues, civil and criminal enforcement defense, and real estate and corporate transactional matters. He has extensive experience in contaminated property assessment and remediation, brownfields redevelopment, environmental due diligence and risk management for commercial transactions, development and implementation of environmental auditing programs, and environmental management systems. Mr. Cowan has also represented PRPs in the Superfund process, serving as common counsel for PRP groups and managing air, water, and waste permitting issues for large and small industrial and commercial clients. Education J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, 1997 M.A., Marine Affairs, University of Virginia, 1995 B.A., Marine Affairs, cum laude, University of Miami, 1992 Bar Admissions Texas, 1997 Representative Experience Management of complex remediation of multi-plume chlorinated solvent contamination at industrial facility in vicinity of Superfund site, balancing strategic considerations due to simultaneous indemnity litigation and pending transaction. Obtained one of the first Municipal Settings Designations (MSDs) issued in Texas, resulting in residential-based closure of chlorinated solvent plume. Counseled national plastic products manufacturer regarding air permit requirements applicable to existing and proposed new manufacturing facilities. Defense and settlement of criminal charges against local plant and plant manager of national manufacturing company resulting in assessment of no penalties against company or plant manager. Managed environmental due diligence for acquisition of $450 million commercial real estate portfolio. Counsel to national home builder on storm water permitting and compliance matters. Counseled major foodstuffs manufacturer regarding classification and disposal options for byproducts. Defended real estate development company against alleged Clean Water Act wetlands violations and obtained after-the-fact permits for same without penalty. Research and development of legal arguments in complex environmental indemnity litigation involving contamination of drilling fluid sites in multiple states and Canada. Represented major U.S. energy company in siting, construction, and brokering of natural gas fired power plant. Represented large energy firm in acquisition of underground natural gas storage and pipeline system. Coordinated environmental permitting and indemnification issues for resin and versatics manufacturing company following spin-off from oil major. Represented foreign entity in acquisition and permitting of large oil refinery. Managed environmental due diligence in roll-up of thirteen printing and publishing companies in multiple states. Publications & Presentations Speech, Legal Perspectives on FIN 47: Managing the Present, Planning for the Future, Joint Locke Liddell & Sapp/AON Corporation Right-Sizing Your Environmental Liabilities Seminar, June 14, 2006 Speech, Stormwater Inspection and Enforcement Considerations, Lorman Education Services seminar, Oct. 15, 2005, Feb. 2, 2006, Feb. 17, 2006 Speech, TCEQ Compliance History Rules, Lorman Education Services seminar, Feb. 2, 2006, Feb. 17, 2006 Article, Reducing Exposure to Stormwater Enforcement, Texas Builder Magazine, March/April 2004 Article, Legal Aspects of Stormwater Inspection and Enforcement, Texas Builder Magazine, January/February 2004 Speech, The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, Government Institutes Environmental Bootcamp, April 2000, June 2001 Speech, What You Should Know About Superfund, Government Institutes U.S. Environmental Laws and Regulations Basics Seminar, February 2000 Note, Venue for Offshore Environmental Crimes: The Seaward Limits of the Federal Judicial Districts, 49 VAND. L. REV. 825 (1996) Press Release Locke Liddell & Sapp Elevates Six Associates to Partners 12/21/2006 Professional History Partner in the law firm of Locke Liddell & Sapp Associate, Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P. May 1999 - April 2002 Associate, Porter & Hedges, L.L.P., September 1997 - April 1999 Professional Affiliations Member, State Bar of Texas - Environmental and Natural Resources Section Member, Houston Bar Association - Environmental Law Section Member, Houston Young Lawyers Association Member, Texas Association of Environmental Professionals Member, Greater Houston Builders Association. |
