Lawyers Peter Gray and John D. Conner, Jr., Authorities in Chemicals and Pesticides Regulations, Join Crowell & Moring’s Environment & Natural Resources Group

Washington, D.C. – April 26, 2017: Crowell & Moring LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of partner Peter Gray and senior counsel John D. Conner, Jr. to the firm's Environment & Natural Resources Group. Gray and Conner are leading authorities on chemicals and pesticides law, advising chemical companies and trade associations on a wide range of state and federal regulations and litigation. Their arrival expands on the regulatory capabilities of Crowell & Moring’s nationally recognized group to serve clients in the chemical industry.  

Both lawyers join the firm from Dentons LLP. Gray most recently served as co-chair of Dentons’ U.S. Environment and Natural Resources practice and has 30 years of experience litigating environmental issues, including enforcement cases involving hazardous materials, cost recovery and contribution actions relating to cleanup of contaminated property, and arbitration of claims under the federal pesticide law. Conner offers more than 40 years of experience in the areas of enforcement of pesticide laws, registration and distribution of pesticides, and counseling companies on the EPA regulation of chemicals. Their clients have included: Syngenta, Dow AgroSciences, Sumitomo (and their U.S. affiliates Valent USA, Valent BioSciences and MGK), S.C. Johnson, BASF, DuPont, and Ecolab. 

“Peter and John are highly respected in the field and are a tremendous addition to the firm,” said Angela Styles, chair of Crowell & Moring. “They have represented the entirety of the pesticide industry, and their combined experience will further strengthen our practice in chemicals and pesticides regulation. This experience is important consideration for industry clients especially given the new administration’s approach to regulation.”

Gray, a former EPA chemist, has worked on disputes over responsibility for cleanup of contaminated property under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); challenges to state and federal environmental regulations; and climate change planning and advocacy. One of Gray's areas of concentration is the regulation of pesticide products by the EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). He is one of a handful of lawyers experienced in litigating “pesticide data compensation” arbitrations under FIFRA, and has handled hundreds of claims over the past 25 years.

“We are pleased to be joining Crowell & Moring’s Environment & Natural Resources Group,” Gray said. “Its environmental and product regulatory practices are among the most respected in the country. The firm has considerable strength in the trade association area and overall offers us a great platform from which to expand our practice.”

Conner has participated in significant administrative hearings involving the pesticides chlordane/heptachlor, dinoseb, and diazinon. Conner conducts internal compliance audits under FIFRA and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and has assisted clients in the development of compliance systems. He also counsels joint ventures conducting product safety testing under FIFRA and TSCA on their formation, antitrust concerns, tax questions, compensation/licensing rights and regulatory compliance issues. He serves as general counsel to the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data, MCPA Task Force Three, and other task forces that jointly test pesticides to meet EPA standards. 

“My father used to practice law with Took Crowell, the founder of Crowell & Moring, at Sellers, Conner & Cuneo,” Conner said. “Crowell & Moring is highly regarded for its practice in chemicals and pesticides regulation, and it has a supportive culture. I am excited to work with such a distinguished group of lawyers, many of whom I have known for years, including Warren Lehrenbaum and Kirsten Nathanson.”

Conner and Gray's trade association clients include the Consumer Specialty Products Association and the American Pet Products Association. Conner noted he is pleased that CSPA and APPA will receive the benefit of Crowell & Moring's depth in trade association law.

Gray co-founded the Association of Climate Change Officers and is a member of the Environmental Law Institute Leadership Circle. He has also served in many leadership roles in the American Bar Association’s Section on Environment, Energy and Resources, including past chair of the Environmental Litigation and Toxic Torts Committee, and the Site Remediation Committee. Gray received his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, his M.S. from The George Washington University, and his B.S. from the University of Maryland. Conner received his J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law and his B.S. from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In addition to his law practice, he served as Chairman of the Board of the pesticide and chemical consulting company, Technology Sciences Group.

About Crowell & Moring’s Environment & Natural Resources Group

Crowell & Moring's nationally recognized Environment & Natural Resources Group has more than three decades of experience successfully representing clients across the United States in all forums, including federal and state courts, agencies, and legislatures. Our lawyers and policy advisors are nationally acclaimed in air and water quality, civil and criminal environmental litigation, environmental tort litigation and trial, land use, toxic substances, chemical regulation, and site clean-up and reclamation matters.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with approximately 500 lawyers representing clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory, and transactional matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity. The firm has offices in Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, London, and Brussels.