Paul M. Drucker

Paul is a member of the firm’s nationally recognized Environmental Law Department, the Litigation Department, and the Appellate Practice Group. Clients such as major utilities, oil companies, pipeline operators, steel manufacturers, aerospace suppliers, wastewater treatment plants, industry trade groups, and private equity firms call on Paul to help solve their disputes, advise on transactions, and ensure they are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

His environmental work includes complex litigation and appeals involving the CWA, CERCLA, RCRA, CAA and other federal and state environmental statutes, as well as common law; addressing environmental issues in real estate and business transactions; conducting internal investigations regarding environmental release incidents; counseling on crisis situations, incident management, and compensation programs; interacting with state and federal regulatory agencies; negotiating settlements and consent decrees; and advising on regulatory compliance, environmental remediation projects, redevelopment of contaminated sites, release reporting policies, and permitting issues.

As the founder and leader of the firm’s Pipeline Practice Team, Paul advises major oil companies and pipeline operators regarding pipeline siting and installation, integrity management issues, pipeline safety regulations, leak response, crisis management, environmental remediation and investigations into pipeline and refinery incidents. He interacts with PHMSA, USCG, EPA and other state and federal regulatory authorities regarding response activities, legal claims, and environmental impacts arising from pipeline and refinery releases.  He also advises on carbon capture and sequestration projects and is conversant with state and federal requirements in this emerging area.

As a litigator and appellate practitioner, Paul has handled numerous business litigation matters involving contract, product liability, fraud, toxic tort, and related disputes. Paul’s substantial experience in motion practice includes dispositive motion writing and oral argument in state and federal courts throughout the country. He also regularly drafts federal appellate briefs in various circuits and has submitted briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court that have received national media attention.

Paul also provides advice on general business matters and litigation avoidance. Among other things, he helps clients with contracting policies, business development goals, issues arising under the Freedom of Information Act and similar state laws, facility audits, and self-disclosures. Paul has developed and presented training programs to corporate client teams and in-house counsel regarding internal investigations, root cause failure analysis, due diligence issues, and various regulatory compliance topics.

Paul’s deep experience in litigation, transactional work, and regulatory counseling is appreciated by the firm’s clients for the comprehensive perspective he brings to the table.

Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Paul practiced environmental law and complex commercial litigation at Mayer Brown LLP in Chicago.