James Edward Smith

Environmental and natural resources Attorney at Houston, TX

About
Contact
Reviews
Cost
Resume

About James

Learn James’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Environmental and natural resources

50%

Have handled numerous environmental cases and transactions

40 years, 500 cases
Appeals

20%

Appeals have been predominantly environmental cases

38 years, 10 cases
Litigation

20%

Litigation matters have been environmental cases and other technical oriented disputes, including arbitrations and jury trials

40 years, 100 cases
Administrative law

5%

Administrative matters generally involved EPA, OSHA, TCEQ and other state and municipal agencies

40 years, 20 cases
Intellectual property

5%

Admiited as a patent attorney before the USPTO

40 years, 20 cases

My main practice area is environmental law, advising clients, supporting transactions, and trying cases. I have handled matters involving all of the major state and federal environmental programs, and have handled a number of enforcement cases. I generally represent business and business oriented cleints, but have represented neighborhood and community groups in special cases.

Licensed for 40 years

State TX

Status Eligible to Practice in Texas

Acquired 1982

Updated 02/07/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact James

Similar lawyers nearby

Baldemar F. Zuniga

4.9 8 reviews

Accepting new clients!

6200 Savoy, Suite 354

Houston, TX, 77036

(713) 766-1652 Message

Porter Hedges L.L.P.

1000 Main St.

Suite 3600

Houston, TX, 77002

Get Directions

Reviews

Write A Review

Not yet reviewed. Review James

Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Partner
Porter Hedges, LLP
2010 - Present

Partner
Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, LLP
1992 - 2010

Partner
Baker Botts, LLP
1991 - 1992

Associate
Baker Botts, LLP
1982 - 1991

View all work experience

Education

University of Texas School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1982

University of Kansas
BS - Bachelor of Science
1978

Legal Cases

Confidential client
Transaction closed and remediation completed

Confidential client
Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges

State of Texas v. Empak
Dismissal, upheld on appeal

View all legal cases

Associations

State Bar of Texas
Member
N/A

American Bar Association
Member
N/A

Houston Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
Director
N/A

Honors and Awards

AV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2013

AV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2012

Texas Super Lawyer
2006

Environmental Litigation
2006

Environmental Litigation
2005

Environmental Litigation
2005

AV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2000

President's Award
N/A

View all awards

Publications

West Law Journal
DC Circuit Upholds EPA's Greenhouse Gas Regulations
2012

Portfolio Media (Law360)
Managing Employee's Responses to Investigations
2011

Unknown
Injunctions for Violations of Environmental Laws: Will the Courts 'Balance the Equities'?
2007

Construction Executive
Construction Contracts: Liability for Negligent Performance
2007

Of Counsel
Lesson from the Sports Page: Do Not Terminate a Contract Unless the Breach Was Material
N/A

View all publications

Speaking Engagements

Houston Bar Association
Fundamentals of Environmental Enforcement
2011

Federal Bar Association (Southern District of Texas Chapter)
Federal Oversight of Air Permitting in Texas; The Issues Being Litigated
2011

Environmental Law Enforcement class at South Texas College of Law
Suggestions on Dealing With Agency Investigations
N/A

Attorney endorsements

Received (0)

Given (0)

Endorse James

Endorsements from fellow lawyers are an important consideration for many when selecting the right attorney.

This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Avvo Contributions

This attorney hasn't created any legal answers in Q&A or legal guides recently on Avvo.