Farella Braun + Martel's James Bruen To Be Inducted Into First Class Of The American College Of Environmental Lawyers

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25, 2008 - On Sept. 26, Farella Braun + Martel Partner James A. Bruen will be inducted into the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL) as part of its inaugural class.  Bruen was nominated and unanimously endorsed by ACOEL's 23-member founding committee and is one of only four California lawyers and 50 lawyers nationally to become Fellows in the College.

The ACOEL is a professional association of preeminent private sector lawyers who practice in the field of environmental law.  Its purpose is to maintain and improve the standards of the environmental practice, administration of justice and ethics of the profession, and to contribute to the development of environmental law at both the state and federal level.

Bruen's 40-year practice includes representing domestic and international industry, universities and governmental institutions in products liability and environmental counseling and litigation.  He advises on product design, manufacturing, distribution and stewardship issues, as well as on sustainable development issues such as Environment, Health and Safety Management Systems.  Bruen serves as lead trial counsel in litigation regarding mass torts, natural resource damages, environmental enforcements, environmental cost recovery and contributions, and white collar environmental crimes defense.  He is nationally known for his expertise in emergency response and crisis management and is a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution.

Bruen is an internationally known author and lecturer in environmental and products liability law and has received numerous recognitions in this discipline. He is listed as a top lawyer in the Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Business Lawyers (Band 1), Best of the Best 2008, The Best Lawyers in America, International Corporate Law's Guide to Environmental Law Experts, Practical Law Company's "Which Lawyer?" Yearbook 2008, Who's Who Legal USA (Environment 2008), Who's Who Legal California (Environment 2009), Who's Who in America Law, International Who's Who of Environment Lawyers, International Who's Who of Business Lawyers, and 2006/07 PLC Cross-Border Environment Handbook.

Bruen received his J.D. from the Stanford School of Law (1968) and his B.A., cum laude, from Claremont Men's College (1965).

Farella Braun + Martel represents clients throughout the United States and abroad in sophisticated business transactions and high-stakes commercial, civil and criminal litigation. Founded in 1962, we are headquartered in San Francisco and maintain an office in the Napa Valley that is focused on the wine industry. We are known for our imaginative legal solutions and the dynamism and intellectual creativity of our lawyers. With our unwavering service ethic and interdisciplinary team approach, we are committed to advancing our clients' objectives in the most effective, coordinated and efficient manner.

Contacts:

Melinda Hepp / Traci Stuart
Blattel Communications                                      
415.397.4811
[email protected] / [email protected]

Cheryl Loof
Farella Braun + Martel
415.954.4433
[email protected]