Harmon L. (Monty) Cooper is a counsel in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office, where he is a member of the Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation and Environment & Natural Resources groups.
Monty is both a counselor and trial lawyer, whose practice focuses on product liability, environmental, and complex civil litigation. He has litigated tort and contract cases across the country, advising clients in high-exposure litigation in numerous venues. He has defended major oil companies in product liability litigation and property damage claims arising from environmental issues. He has also litigated issues involving Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, a federal law that shields various online platforms from liability for publishing third-party content. Monty has provided counsel in non-litigation matters, including regulatory and legislative matters (e.g., concerning environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues) affecting renewable energy and mining companies. Monty also works with a team of Crowell attorneys to track emerging risks associated with environmental justice (EJ) issues.
Monty has published articles and spoken on panels across the country concerning a wide variety of topics affecting his clients, including environmental and mining matters, changes in the U.S. tax code that affect multinational corporations regarding environmental enforcement, and artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Monty maintains an active pro bono practice, where he has argued criminal appeals before appellate courts.
Public Service and Education
Monty has also been active in his community. He is a former chairman of the board of directors for the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) of Prince George’s County, MD, one of the largest commercial and residential redevelopment agencies in Maryland.
Monty received a B.A. in American Studies from Georgetown University, where he served as a writing center tutor at the university's Writing Center. He attended the College of William and Mary Law School, where he was a notes editor for the William and Mary Law Review, a member of the William and Mary Bill of Rights Journal, and a Benjamin Rush Scholar. After law school, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Patrick Michael Duffy of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. While in private practice, he has been honored numerous times, including being named a D.C. Super Lawyers "Rising Star" and selected for the Washington Business Journal’s list of top "40 Under 40" professionals. In 2021, Monty received the ABA-SEER Chair Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Section due to his work leading the Section’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.
He is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and South Carolina.
Recognition
- Thomson Reuters Names 16 Crowell Lawyers as “Stand-out Lawyers”
- The National Black Lawyers: Top 100 Lawyers, 2021
- Washington Business Journal: 40 Under 40 for Greater Washington, D.C., 2018
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland: Exceptional Service Award, 2017
- Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers: Rising Stars, 2013-2015
- National Bar Association: Nation’s Best Advocates, 40 Lawyers Under 40 Award
- Lawyers of Color: Inaugural Hot List, Mid-Atlantic Region
- Prince George’s County (MD) Social Innovation Fund: 40 Under 40 Award
- Next City (National Urban-Affairs Magazine): Vanguard Award
- Leadership Maryland, Class of 2015
- Maryland’s The Daily Record: VIP List, 2015
Affiliations
Professional Activities and Memberships
- Redevelopment Authority of Prince George’s County (MD) — Former Chairman
- Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) — Board Member
- Teach for America, D.C. Region — Former Board Member
- Venture Philanthropy Partners — Former Partners Representative
Representative Matters
- Representing an oil company as national litigation counsel, in federal court in the Southern District of New York, in numerous MTBE cases in which private water companies, public water utilities, and state agencies allege that MTBE is a defective and unreasonably dangerous product that has contaminated public drinking water supplies in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and several other states.
- Representing and advising a financial institution in negotiations with state environmental agencies across the country concerning environmental and property-transfer laws.
- Providing counsel to mining companies regarding regulatory and legislative matters related to the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
- Successfully represented an oil company, in federal court in the District of Arizona, against CERCLA and common-law claims seeking contribution for environmental remediation costs.
- Successfully defended a global information-technology company, in federal court in the District of Columbia, in product liability litigation brought by plaintiffs claiming catastrophic injuries from an allegedly defective electronic device.
- Successfully defended a major U.S. automobile manufacturer at trial in a wrongful death suit involving claims of alleged defective brakes. After a week-long jury trial in a Maryland circuit court, the company obtained a defense verdict.
- As special assistant state’s attorney in Prince George’s County, Maryland (January – May 2014), tried several cases involving second degree assault, traffic violations and driving under the influence (DUI) charges before judges. Tried multiple DUI cases before juries, including the successful conviction of a defendant.
Insights
Speeches & Presentations
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"Section 230: An Overview of the Legal and Policy Framework," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2023.
(January 26, 2023).
Speakers: Mohamed Awan, Monty Cooper, and Neda M. Shaheen.
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"One-Year Review: Advancing Environmental Justice," Crowell & Moring Webinar 2022.
(May 5, 2022).
Speakers: Byron R. Brown, Monty Cooper, Eryn Howington, Felicia L. Isaac
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"PFAS: It’s Not Going Away," 2022 Defense Research Institute (DRI) Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Seminar
(March 16, 2022).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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"Recent Developments in ESG," The National Bar Association - 35th Annual Corporate Counsel Conference, Miami, Florida.
(February 24, 2022).
Speaker: Monty Cooper
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"Latest Information on the MSHA Silica Rulemaking," Industrial Minerals Association - North America 2021 Meeting
(September 20, 2021).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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"Facing the Workforce Diversity Challenge," National Hydropower Association, Waterpower Week
(April 28, 2021).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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"Peek Behind the Corporate Veil" with Dorothy Capers, National Express, NBA-CLS 34th Annual Corporate Counsel Conference
(February 26, 2021).
Moderator: Monty Cooper.
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"Tools to Address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Environmental Bar," California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite
(October 18, 2020).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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"Addressing Inequality and Promoting Opportunity" American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Virtual Event
(July 9, 2020).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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"MSHA’s Activity on Quartz and Potential for Rulemaking," Industrial Minerals Association – North America (IMA-NA) Webinar Series
(May 15, 2020).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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"Digital Transformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," National Bar Association, New Orleans, LA
(February 14, 2020).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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"MSHA's Request for Information (RFI) on Respirable Silica (Quartz) and Implications for a Proposed Rule in Metal and Nonmetal Mines," Industrial Minerals Association, Stevenson, WA
(September 25, 2019).
Speakers: Ed Green and Monty Cooper.
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SEER Essentials: PFAS 101 - An Overview of Technical and Regulatory Issues Associated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (On-Demand CLE), American Bar Association Webinar
(June 18, 2019).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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MSHA and NIOSH Developments During the Trump Administration – There’s More To It Than Meets the Eye, Wyoming Mining Association, Cody, WY
(June 5, 2019).
Speaker: Ed Green and Monty Cooper.
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Boom & Bust – Emerging Occupational Health Issues in Industrial Minerals, IMA-NA’s Industrial Minerals Technology Workshop, Savannah, GA
(March 26, 2019).
Speaker: Ed Green and Monty Cooper.
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Managing Risks in the 4th Industrial Revolution, National Bar Association, Orlando, FL
(January 31, 2019).
Speaker: Monty Cooper.
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"Mitigating Risk Through Environmental Due Diligence in California Real Estate Deals," Presentation for Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR), Costa Mesa, CA
(October 10, 2018).
Speakers: Kevin C. Mayer and Monty Cooper.
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"Blockchains, Distributed Ledgers, and Smart Contracts," Presentation for Freddie Mac, McLean, VA
(October 1, 2018).
Presenters: Jenny E. Cieplak, Matthew B. Welling, and Monty Cooper.
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"Solar Power and Resilient Design for Schools and Shelters: How Sustainable Public Buildings Can Enhance Their Communities," Environmental and Energy Study Institute, Washington, D.C.
(March 29, 2016).
Panelist: Monty Cooper.
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"Cities and Water: A Conversation With the General Counsel of D.C. Water and WSSC," D.C. Bar Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section Panel, Washington, D.C.
(October 28, 2015).
Moderator: Monty Cooper.
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"Meet the Leaders — A Conversation With Lawyers Who Manage Legal Departments About Their Practice and The Law," J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, Lanham, MD
(May 21, 2015).
Moderator: Monty Cooper.
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"Legends of Environmental Law: A Conversation with Steven P. Quarles of Sedgwick LLP," D.C. Bar Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section Panel, Washington, D.C.
(October 16, 2014).
Moderator: Monty Cooper.
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"The Power of a Network: Developing and Capitalizing on Business Relationships," National Bar Association – Corporate Leadership Forum Academy, Miami, FL
(July 30, 2013).
Panelist: Monty Cooper.
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"Litigation Basics: The Most Common Pitfalls Young Lawyers Make in Litigation ... and How to Avoid Them," Continuing Legal Education, National Bar Association Annual Convention, Miami, FL
(July 29, 2013).
Panelist: Monty Cooper.
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"Hydraulic Fracking Regulation and Issues," D.C. Bar Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section Panel, Washington, D.C.
Moderator: Monty Cooper.
Publications
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"Are Opioids a Public Nuisance? It Depends on Whom You Ask," ABA The Brief
(August 18, 2022).
Authors: Peter C. Condron, Monty Cooper, and Jessica D. Gilbert.
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"EPA Update To Environmental Justice Legal Tools," Westlaw Today
(June 23, 2022).
Authors: Byron R. Brown, Monty Cooper, and Lynn Phan.
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"CPSC Publishes Report on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning," Crowell & Moring’s Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(June 3, 2021).
Authors: Cheryl A. Falvey, Monty Cooper and Jessica D. Gilbert.
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"Recent FTC Guidance On The Use Of Artificial Intelligence And Algorithms In The Age Of COVID-19," The Computer & Internet Lawyer
(September 2020).
Authors: Monty Cooper, Jodi G. Daniel, Kate M. Growley, and Natalie O. Ludaway.
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"4 Tax Questions To Ask Before Signing An Enviro Settlement," Law360
(July 27, 2020).
Authors: Monty Cooper, and Teresa Abney.
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"Developments In Environmental Enforcement Since TCJA," Law360
(July 24, 2018).
Authors: Peter C. Condron, Monty Cooper, and Teresa Abney.
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"The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) and its Impact on Environmental Enforcement," ABA Environmental Litigation and Toxic Torts Committee Newsletter, Vol. 19, No. 3
(July 2018).
Author: Monty Cooper.
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"Rosebrock v. Eastern Shore Emergency Physicians LLC: Maryland Court of Special Appeals Analyzes Habit Evidence — MD Rule 5-406," The Maryland Litigator, Maryland State Bar Association, Litigation Section
(June 2015).
Author: Monty Cooper.
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"Glenn v. GSX Trans., Inc. and the Licensee/Invitee/Trespasser Distinction in Maryland Tort Law," The Maryland Litigator, Maryland State Bar Association, Litigation Section
(February 2015).
Author: Monty Cooper.
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"Hasley v. Ward Mfg. and Maryland’s Economic-Loss Rule’s Public-Safety Exception," The Maryland Litigator, Maryland State Bar Association, Litigation Section
(October 2014).
Author: Monty Cooper.
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"Passing the Smell Test: Twombly, Iqbal, and a California Federal Court’s Requirement of More Specificity in Complaint Against Defendants," Australian Product Liability Reporter
(August/September 2012).
Author: Monty Cooper.
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"AEP v. Connecticut — Global Warming Litigation and Beyond: The Court’s Affirmation of the Clean Air Act and Impact on the Public Nuisance Debates of the Future," 41 ELR 10973, 10996 ELR News and Analysis
(November 2011).
Author: Monty Cooper.
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"Diversity and Thoughts on Building Diversity in the Corporate Legal Team," The Commercial Law Connection (NBA CLS), Vol. 8, No. 2
(Summer 2011).
Author: Monty Cooper.
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"Legal Developments Related to Greenhouse Gas Emissions," BNA Environment Reporter, Vol. 39, No. 26, 1309-132
(June 27, 2008).
Contributor: Monty Cooper.
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"Will an Endangerment Finding Lead to Greenhouse Gas New Source Performance Standards for Stationary Sources?" The Environmental Litigator, American Bar Association
(Summer 2008).
Author: Monty Cooper.
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"Searching for Certainty in Uncertain Air: NSR and the RMRR Exclusion," Trends, American Bar Association, Vol. 38, No. 2
(November/December 2006).
Author: Monty Cooper.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"EPA Update to Environmental Justice Legal Tools,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(June 3, 2022).
Contacts: Byron R. Brown, Lynn Phan, Monty Cooper
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"Subtle Environmental Justice Actions That Go the Extra Mile: Evaluating Recent EJ Developments,"
Climate Law & Environmental Finance Update
(March 21, 2022).
Contacts: Monty Cooper, Eryn Howington
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"California and Oklahoma Courts Say Drug Companies Aren't Liable Under a Public Nuisance Theory for the Opioid Epidemic,"
Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation Alert
(November 30, 2021).
Contacts: Peter C. Condron, Monty Cooper, Jessica D. Gilbert
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"Confirmation of Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Highlights Potential Reach of Biden Administration’s "All-of-Government" Pursuit of Environmental and Climate Justice Objectives,"
Administrative Law Alert
(March 16, 2021).
Contacts: Paul Freeman, Daniel W. Wolff, Byron R. Brown, Monty Cooper, Eryn Howington
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"SEC Enforcement Warms Up: Commission Creates Climate and ESG Task Force,"
Administrative Law Alert
(March 5, 2021).
Contacts: Daniel L. Zelenko, Jeff Severson, Rebecca Lennon Baskin, Elizabeth B. Dawson, Monty Cooper
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"Recent FTC Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms in the Age of COVID-19,"
Privacy Law Alert
(May 26, 2020).
Contacts: Monty Cooper, Jodi G. Daniel
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"OSHA Issues Memo Regarding Discretion in Enforcement When Considering an Employer’s Good Faith Efforts During COVID-19,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(April 20, 2020).
Contacts: Daniel W. Wolff, Monty Cooper
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"OSHA Issues Enforcement Guidance,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(April 16, 2020).
Contacts: Daniel W. Wolff, Monty Cooper
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"Recent New York State Case Could Encourage an Increase in Class-Action Suits Involving PFOA Contamination,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(August 21, 2018).
Contacts: Peter C. Condron, Monty Cooper
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"DOJ's & EPA's First Take on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA),"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(June 14, 2018).
Contact: Monty Cooper
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"Tax Reform Impacts Governmental Environmental Enforcement,"
Environment & Natural Resources Law Alert
(April 11, 2018).
Contacts: Peter C. Condron, Monty Cooper
Press Coverage
Firm News & Announcements
| March 7, 2023 |
Thomson Reuters Names 16 Crowell Lawyers as “Stand-out Lawyers” |
| October 5, 2022 |
Crowell & Moring’s Monty Cooper Elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation |
| August 23, 2022 |
ABA Appoints Crowell & Moring’s Monty Cooper to Section of Environment, Energy and Resources Council |
| August 11, 2021 |
Crowell & Moring’s Monty Cooper Receives ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources Award |
| May 13, 2021 |
The National Black Lawyers Selects Crowell & Moring Lawyers as Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40 Members |
| September 25, 2020 |
Crowell & Moring's Monty Cooper Named Chair of ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources' Equity and Inclusion Taskforce |
| May 24, 2018 |
Crowell & Moring’s Monty Cooper Named to Washington Business Journal’s "40 Under 40" List |