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    Alan Harrell photograph

    J. Alan Harrell

    Partner

    Baton Rouge
    Houston
    225-376-0232
    alan.harrell@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    LitigationToxic Tort LitigationEnvironmental

    When toxic tort litigation and environmental regulatory issues threaten their businesses, clients turn to Alan Harrell for his ability to resolve those issues and his extensive experience in the trenches. With more than 25 years of experience working at the intersection of substantive environmental law, science and litigation, Alan offers clients clear guidance on causation and other complex issues. He simplifies the science behind the issues at hand to a common language that clients, judges and mediators can all appreciate.

    Alan defends clients facing toxic tort lawsuits, exposure-related products liability claims and class actions. He works regularly with a variety of expert witnesses in areas ranging from toxicology to industrial hygiene. Alan helps clients respond to agency compliance orders and navigate related administrative proceedings. He also advises clients on incident investigation and response.

    Alan's practice includes representing chemical manufacturing facilities in actions alleging personal exposure, diminution of property value, and other damages. He also counsels clients on environmental regulatory matters and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, as well as product stewardship.

    In addition to his environmental practice, Alan has handled a variety of commercial litigation matters, including breach-of-contract claims. He has defended professional liability claims brought against environmental consultants, engineers and other professionals. He also leads the firm’s ESG team and coordinates pro bono legal services for Phelps’ Baton Rouge office.

    Alan's practice includes representing chemical manufacturing facilities in actions alleging personal exposure, diminution of property value, and other damages. He also counsels clients on environmental regulatory matters and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, as well as product stewardship.

    In addition to his environmental practice, Alan has handled a variety of commercial litigation matters, including breach-of-contract claims. He has defended professional liability claims brought against environmental consultants, engineers and other professionals. He also leads the firm’s ESG team and coordinates pro bono legal services for Phelps’ Baton Rouge office.

    Experience

    • Served as national counsel for international manufacturer regarding exposure-related products liability claims.
    • Successfully defended product manufacturers and oil companies in cases involving claims of occupational exposure to benzene.
    • Counseled manufacturer client on environmental sustainability and product stewardship issues.
    • Defense of occupational asbestos exposure claims.
    • Represented chemical and other product manufacturers in responding to environmental agency compliance orders and penalty notices.
    • Defense of personal injury claims arising out of accidents at industrial facilities.
    • Defended an environmental insurer in class action and citizen suit litigation relating to a hazardous waste injection well facility.
    • Litigated “stigma” damages sustained by owner of industrial property adjacent to contaminated site.
    • Represented agricultural and industrial manufacturing company in connection with an OSHA incident investigation.
    • Defense of personal injury claims arising out of accidents at industrial facilities.
    • Defended an environmental insurer in class action and citizen suit litigation relating to a hazardous waste injection well facility.
    • Litigated “stigma” damages sustained by owner of industrial property adjacent to contaminated site.
    • Represented agricultural and industrial manufacturing company in connection with an OSHA incident investigation.

    Insights

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • July 10, 2024

      Recent SCOTUS Decisions Bring Notable Changes to the Regulatory Powers of Federal Agencies…

    More +
    • June 6, 2024

      Chambers USA Guide 2024 Ranks 24 Phelps Practice Areas and 69 Lawyers…

    • April 4, 2024

      ESG: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly…

    • September 15, 2023

      Tulane Business Forum…

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • June 1, 2023

      Chambers USA 2023 Ranks 20 Phelps Practice Areas and 60 Lawyers…

    • March 31, 2023

      EPA Provides Guidance on CERCLA Enforcement Discretion Policy for Certain PFAS…

    • March 15, 2023

      Breaking: EPA Proposes Stringent Nationwide Standards for PFAS in Drinking Water…

    • January 13, 2023

      Louisiana Attorney General Opinion Says Medical Marijuana May Be Recommended by Physician via Telemedicine…

    • December 2, 2022

      Annual New Orleans Labor & Employment Seminar: Boots on the Ground…

    • October 13, 2022

      Sesh Coworking Presents ESG Education with Phelps…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • June 1, 2022

      Chambers USA 2022 Ranks 19 Phelps Practice Areas and 56 Lawyers…

    • May 9, 2022

      SEC’s Proposed Climate-Related Disclosure Rule Reaches Scope 3 Emissions, Comments Due June 17…

    • April 12, 2022

      Large Financial Institutions Could Face Added Duties From the FDIC to Manage Climate-Related Financial Risks…

    • January 12, 2022

      Key Steps Boards of Directors Can Take Now to Get Ahead of ESG Concerns…

    • May 20, 2021

      Chambers USA 2021 Ranks 18 Phelps Practice Areas and 52 Lawyers…

    • February 18, 2021

      OSHA Plans Updates to Hazardous Communication Standard…

    • May 28, 2020

      Phelps Partner Alan Harrell Obtains Favorable Summary Judgment Ruling in Florida Toxic Tort Litigation…

    • March 27, 2020

      EPA Offers Formal Compliance Guidance for Regulated Entities…

    • March 25, 2020

      EPA, States Provide Direction on Dealing with Agency Submittals during COVID-19 Pandemic…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Litigation - Environmental (2014-2025), "Lawyer of the Year" Litigation - Environmental (2024), The Best Lawyers in America 
    • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business - Environment: Litigation
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Litigation - Environmental (2014-2025), "Lawyer of the Year" Litigation - Environmental (2024), The Best Lawyers in America 
    • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business - Environment: Litigation

    Education

    • Louisiana State University Law Center, J.D., 1997
    • Louisiana State University, Political Science, 1994
    • Louisiana State University Law Center, J.D., 1997
    • Louisiana State University, Political Science, 1994

    Credentials

    • Louisiana
    • Texas
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    • Louisiana
    • Texas
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

    • American Bar Association
    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • Baton Rouge Bar Association
    • Defense Research Institute
    • State Bar of Texas

    Civic

    • Rotary Club of Baton Rouge

    Professional

    • American Bar Association
    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • Baton Rouge Bar Association
    • Defense Research Institute
    • State Bar of Texas

    Civic

    • Rotary Club of Baton Rouge
    • Overview
    • Experience
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Litigation
    • Toxic Tort Litigation
    • Environmental
    • Environmental Litigation
    • Regulatory
    • ESG
    • Unfair Competition and Business Torts
    • Renewables
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