Professional Biography

John Morris Counsel

Environmental Transactions

Upper middle market private equity firm in its buyout of U.S.-based plastic films manufacturer.*
Upper middle market private equity firm in its acquisition of multinational automotive parts manufacturer.*
Publicly traded technology, defense and engineering corporation in its acquisition of US.-based aircraft engine parts manufacturer.*
Copper wire manufacturer in its sale to middle market private equity firm.*
Middle market private equity firm in its acquisition of U.S.-based LED lighting producer.*
Senior lender in a revolving credit facility for U.S.-based glass bottle manufacturer.*

Public company energy infrastructure investor in the drop-down acquisitions of a portfolio of utility-scale wind and solar projects.
Midstream oil and gas producer in its carveout of U.S. Gulf Coast waste services company.
Multinational energy and fuels corporation in various real estate transactions involving the purchase, sale, and leasing of commercial and industrial lands.
Retail fuel station company in asset purchase of branded retail fuel stations and convenience stores across California.
Sponsor of utility-scale wind project repowerings in Washington and Texas.*

Public multinational food & beverage corporation in its acquisition of California plant-based foods company.*
Publicly traded fresh and frozen fruit corporation in its merger with U.S. West Coast-based agricultural producer.*
Public multinational food & beverage corporation in its acquisitions of fourth wave coffee retailers and consumer products producers.*
Lower middle market private equity firm in its recapitalization of U.S.-based wholesale bakery.*

Professional golf club management company in asset purchases of U.S. golf resort properties.*
Bank lender in financing of tribal gaming and hospitality company’s acquisition of casino hotel development.*
Rancher in its purchase of California fly-fishing and livestock ranching lands.*
Senior lender in a revolving credit facility with publicly traded horse racing and entertainment company.*
Nevada hotel and casino operator in the sale of its Las Vegas, NV assets to publicly traded gaming company.*

Global producer of soda ash in environmental review, permitting, and associated risk management strategies in connection with the proposed development of an export terminal.
Developers in the planning and permitting of district utility systems in connection with neighborhood-scale mixed-use development projects in California.
Major League Soccer (MLS) and National Football League (NFL) franchises in site selection, CEQA compliance, permitting and approval of stadium projects in California.*
Multinational food & beverage producer in amendment of Coastal Development Permit to facilitate expansion of industrial wastewater treatment facility.*
Public-private partnership to redevelop former landfill site into community-oriented athletic and academic campus.*
Natural gas utility in NEPA/CEQA review of interstate freeway project threatening displacement of production facilities and utility lines.*
Limited partner in joint ventures for various infill development in Qualified Opportunity Zones in California, Texas, Colorado, and South Carolina.*

Project manager in the implementation of a multiparty agreement to decommission four hydroelectric dams and the restoration an interstate river system and adjacent lands.
Company in water quality permitting of floating data center project and and resolution of threatened claims by environmental nonprofit.
Private water utility in response to alleged violations of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.*
Landowners and developers in water supply planning under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), California water supply planning statutes, drought restrictions and conservation ordinances, and groundwater basin adjudication proceedings.*
Natural gas utility in its petition to the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for review of waste discharge requirements arising from alleged disposal of exploration and production waste to groundwater.*
National environmental nonprofit organization in connection with NPDES program withdrawal petition.*
Downriver state in its hydrology expert case supporting equitable apportionment action filed in the original jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court.*

Contractor in matters relating to the decommissioning of nuclear energy facilities and used fuel management.
Aerospace company in the cleanup, restoration, closure, and post-closure permitting of a major former aerospace testing and research site.
Real estate investment trust as potentially responsible party (PRP) for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service cleanup and restoration of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Sweetwater Marsh Unit.*
Oil and gas environmental services company in administrative settlement with USEPA Region 6 arising from hazardous waste storage and generation violations and establishment of compliance monitoring program.*
Industrial businesses in corrective action cleanup under Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) oversight.*
Technology and manufacturing company as PRP in the cleanup and restoration of the San Fernando Valley Superfund Site, North Hollywood Operable Unit.*
Pharmaceutical company in site assessment, investigation and cleanup under the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board’s voluntary cleanup program.*

Companies in general advice matters relating to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
Waste-to-Energy solvents recycler in administrative settlement with USEPA Region 9 of hazardous waste facility air emissions violations and implementation of offsite mitigation program.*
Musical instruments retailer in defense of California Air Resources Board (CARB) inspection and noncompliance allegations arising under its Composite Wood Products Air Toxics Control Measure.*
Biopharmaceutical company in South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) permit renewal for research and development facility.*
Paint manufacturer in response to SCAQMD notice of violation for consumer product emissions labeling violations.*

University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2014, Associate Editor, Texas Law Review
Claremont McKenna College, B.A., Philosophy and Psychology, 2010