James H. Colopy chairs the firm's Environmental Law Department and is a member of the Business Litigation Group. He has extensive experience representing private and public entities in all types of environmental and commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Mr. Colopy also counsels clients on environmental compliance issues and management strategies.
Mr. Colopy's environmental practice includes representation of manufacturers, chemical companies, developers and governmental institutions in environmental enforcement actions, citizen suit litigation, cost recovery actions, toxic tort cases, product liability actions and administrative proceedings involving federal, state and local environmental laws. Mr. Colopy's complex commercial litigation practice similarly encompasses a broad range of subject matters, and he handles all types of contract, securities, business tort, professional negligence and trust and estates litigation in both federal and state court.
Mr. Colopy has extensive experience in high-stakes environmental litigation. In 2009, he was hired shortly before trial to replace prior counsel for the plaintiff in a complicated groundwater cost recovery lawsuit, and represented the client through an intense discovery and trial preparation phase culminating in a very favorable settlement. In another matter, Mr. Colopy was brought into a case to represent defendants on post-trial motions following a $100 million punitive damages award, and he was able to reduce the award by 93 percent. Mr. Colopy also represented the plaintiff at a five week jury trial and obtained a substantial award of punitive and compensatory damages.
Mr. Colopy regularly speaks on the topic of environmental litigation, and has published numerous articles on environmental law. He has served as co-chair of the Farella's Diversity Committee.