Monty Cooper
Overview
Harmon L. (Monty) Cooper is a partner in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office, where he is a member of the Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation and Environment and 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.
Career & Education
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Law Clerk, Hon. Patrick Michael Duffy - Maryland
Special Assistant State’s Attorney, Prince George's County
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- Georgetown University, B.A., American studies, 2000
- College of William & Mary, M.P.P., public policy, 2004
- College of William & Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law, J.D., notes editor, William and Mary Law Review, 2004
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Professional Activities and Memberships
- Redevelopment Authority of Prince George’s County (MD) — Former Chairman
- Profiled in national urban affairs e-magazine, Next City: "Problem-Solving Lawyer Sees Affordable Housing as Catalyst for Change."
- Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) — Board Member
- Profiled in EESI’s December 2016 newsletter, "EESI Board Member Monty Cooper Mixes Law with Passion for Communities."
- Profiled in EESI’s December 2016 newsletter, "EESI Board Member Monty Cooper Mixes Law with Passion for Communities."
- Teach for America, D.C. Region — Former Board Member
- Venture Philanthropy Partners — Former Partners Representative
- Redevelopment Authority of Prince George’s County (MD) — Former Chairman
Monty's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24
JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.”
Client Alert | 3 min read | 01.31.24
EPA Updates Its CERCLA and RCRA Soil-Lead Screening Levels With Stricter Standards In New Guidance
Speaking Engagement | 01.30.24
Environmental Justice: What Is It & What Does It Mean for You?, Crowell & Moring CLE Webinar
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.
Monty's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24
JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.”
Client Alert | 3 min read | 01.31.24
EPA Updates Its CERCLA and RCRA Soil-Lead Screening Levels With Stricter Standards In New Guidance
Speaking Engagement | 01.30.24
Environmental Justice: What Is It & What Does It Mean for You?, Crowell & Moring CLE Webinar
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
Monty's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24
JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.”
Client Alert | 3 min read | 01.31.24
EPA Updates Its CERCLA and RCRA Soil-Lead Screening Levels With Stricter Standards In New Guidance
Speaking Engagement | 01.30.24
Environmental Justice: What Is It & What Does It Mean for You?, Crowell & Moring CLE Webinar
Monty's Insights
Client Alert | 3 min read | 04.25.24
JUST RELEASED: EPA’s Bold New Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Collaboration Policy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) just issued its new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, setting the stage for the new manner in which the agency manages its pollution investigations. David M. Uhlmann, the head of OECA, signed the Policy memorandum on April 17, 2024, in order to ensure that EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement offices collaborate efficiently and consistently in cases across the nation. The Policy states, “EPA must exercise enforcement discretion reasonably when deciding whether a particular matter warrants criminal, civil, or administrative enforcement. Criminal enforcement should be reserved for the most egregious violations.”
Client Alert | 3 min read | 01.31.24
EPA Updates Its CERCLA and RCRA Soil-Lead Screening Levels With Stricter Standards In New Guidance
Speaking Engagement | 01.30.24
Environmental Justice: What Is It & What Does It Mean for You?, Crowell & Moring CLE Webinar