John Eldridge has 30 years of experience in environmental litigation and regulatory practice, with an emphasis on Superfund, property contamination and toxic tort litigation. He has argued several CERCLA appeals before the Fifth Circuit and tried cases in various courts.

John frequently represents buyers and sellers of contaminated properties and assists clients in assessing and addressing environmental risks associated with various business transactions. Enforcement defense, environmental permitting and risk based "closure" certifications of contaminated real estate are also significant aspects of his practice. He advises clients on the property and liability issues associated with oil and gas drilling. Many of John’s clients are in the energy sector and John previously worked as in house counsel for a major oil company.

Bar Admissions
District of Columbia; Texas;

Education
J.D., The University of Texas, 1980, Senior Articles Editor, Texas International Law Journal
B.A., Rice University, 1975

Significant Accomplishments
Represented Bank of America in connection with $700 million secured term project financing for five Exelon power plants in Texas.

Won a five-week trial in a multiparty contamination case.

Won summary judgment and appeal in a multiple-party nuisance/trespass action in Atlanta, Georgia involving wood treating chemicals.

Represented a major port in stormwater permitting enforcement.

Advised a major drilling company on offshore liability and contract issues.

Represented lenders on the environmental issues in the refinancing of an inside-the-fence cogeneration facility in Freeport, Texas.

Represent the metals recycling industry on air emissions issues.

Advised an energy service company in acquisition involving contaminated properties in several states.

Successfully argued several Fifth Circuit appeals of CERCLA liability issues, including statute of limitations.

Advised a European client regarding major steel manufacturing acquisition.

Represented an Asian buyer of a U.S. chemical company.

Won a jury trial involving a shopping center in Houston contaminated with dry cleaning solvents.

Resolved felony indictment of company for alleged Texas Water Code violations.

Negotiated complex indemnity and cleanup agreement with the City of Houston involving a contaminated maintenance facility, allowing a multi-million dollar real estate acquisition to proceed.

Obtained risk based closure certificate for large contaminated Houston industrial plant, allowing multi-million dollar asset sale by bankruptcy trustee.

Represented a major herbicide manufacturer in a West Coast arbitration.