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Our Attorneys » Danny Worrell
Danny Worrell
Partner
I became an environmental lawyer out of my enthusiasm for geology, and for the opportunities to interact with people and problem-solve. Prior to law school, I worked as a petroleum exploration geologist, having completed undergraduate and graduate work in geology. The intelligent clients I work with make my work fulfilling, and I enjoy contributing to their success using my technical industry and legal knowledge. Clients rely on me to be detailed, meticulous, realistic and calm, and aggressive when necessary and appropriate. Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing tennis and watching soccer.
Legal Experience
Mr. Worrell’s practice is concentrated in the areas of environmental permitting and enforcement; Superfund litigation; litigation and transactions involving environmental matters; and on regulatory compliance involving hazardous and municipal solid waste, air quality, injection wells, water quality, in situ uranium mining, underground and above ground storage tanks, asbestos, PCBs, water and wastewater utilities, pesticides, and pipelines. Mr. Worrell is the leader of the Environmental practice group.
Recent Accomplishments
- Lead attorney in administrative contested case hearing on an application for a Texas Clean Air Act preconstruction permit for an 800 megawatt coal-fired electric generating facility with a CO2 capture unit.
- Lead attorney in administrative contested case hearing on an application for a Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit for a municipal wastewater discharge.
- Represented client in administrative contested case hearing involving amendment to production area authorization for in situ uranium mining permit before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”).
- Lead attorney in administrative contested case hearing and district court appeal, successfully obtaining renewal and new Class 1 hazardous waste injection well permits from the TCEQ.
- Represented and assisted client in administrative, district court and appeals court proceedings involving a contested case hearing, successfully obtaining major modifications to its Class 1 non-hazardous injection well permits from the TCEQ.
- Lead attorney in successful effort to obtain a Municipal Solid Waste Type I landfill permit for client in state administrative proceedings, including contested case hearing.
- Represented client in successfully negotiating settlement of administrative proceedings, involving a contested case hearing, on an application for renewal and major modification of Commercial Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility permit.
- Assisted client in successfully obtaining first Regulatory Flexibility Order from the TCEQ for use of the EPA Comparable Fuels Rule allowing substitution of fuels at chemical manufacturing facility.
- Represented clients in successfully obtaining Single Property Designations from the TCEQ for air quality regulatory purposes.
- Represented four different clients in settling claims associated with federal Superfund litigation involving former tin smelter.
- Assisted client in successful settlement of product liability litigation relating to oil well cementing operations.
Education
- Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Houston Law Center, 1990. Houston Journal of International Law
- Master of Science, Geology, Louisiana State University, 1984
- Bachelor of Science, Geology (Major), Petroleum Engineering (Minor), The University of Texas at Austin, 1980
Professional Licenses
- Attorney at Law, Texas, 1990
Court Admissions
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- Supreme Court of Texas
Prior Professional Experience
- ARCO Oil and Gas Company, Geologist, Specialized in oil and gas exploration, 1984-1986
Speeches and Publications
- Water Quality Law in Texas, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P.’s Water Law Seminar, 2011, Presentation/Article
- BACT and MACT, “Hunches in Bunches,” Texas Environmental Superconference, 2011, Presentation/Article
- Texas Chapter in Brownfields Law & Practice, Matthew Bender, 2008-2012, Book
- The Impact of Changing Federal Energy and Environmental Laws and Policy, Gulf Coast Power Association, 25th Annual Fall Conference and Exhibition, 2009, Presentation/Article
-
What Happens When a Rule is Vacated? MACT Hammer, Title V Impacts,
- Compliance: Confidentiality and Ethics, Changing Times Require Changing Approaches, Texas Bar Law Center, 2007, Webinar
- Environmental Law 101: Solid Waste, In conference materials associated with the Texas Environmental Superconference, 2005, Presentation/Article
- RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Co-Author with John W. Teets and Dennis P. Reis, American Bar Association, 2003, Book
- Subsurface Trespass Claims Against Underground Injection Control Operations, in conference materials for the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission 2002 Underground Injection Control Symposium, 2002, Presentation/Article
- Legal and Strategic Considerations in Risk-Based Closures, in proceedings of Energy Week Conference and Exhibition, 1996, Presentation/Article
- Land Disposal Restrictions: Current Developments and The Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU) Rule, in conference materials for the Brown McCarroll & Oaks Hartline Annual Client Environmental Seminar, 1994, Presentation/Article
- Exploration and Production Wastes and Class II Injection Wells: Current Regulatory Developments (SPE 27706), in Proceedings of the Permian Basin Oil & Gas Recovery Conference, sponsored by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, 1994, Presentation/Article
- Understanding the New Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU) Rule and its Impact on CERCLA Projects, in Operating Under RCRA and CERCLA Requirements, sponsored by Executive Enterprises, Inc., 1993, Presentation/Article
- Overview of Federal and Texas Class II Injection Well Regulatory Programs and New Developments in Efforts to Revise These Programs, in proceedings of the Symposium on Class II Injection Well Management and Practices, sponsored by the Underground Injection Practices Search Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, 1992, Presentation/Article
- Producing Property Conveyances and Environmental Liabilities: A Mine Field for the Unwary, with R. Kinnan Golemon, 43rd Annual Institute on Oil and Gas Law and Taxation, Mathew Bender 1992, Article
- Permitting Injection Wells in the New Texas, with Albert R. Axe, Jr., in Proceedings of the Underground Injection Practices Council, Winter and Summer 1991, Article
- Recent Regulatory Changes Affecting Class I Injection Wells, with Albert R. Axe, Jr. and R. Steven Morton, in Proceedings of the Underground Injection Practices Council, Winter and Summer 1991, Article
- An Overview of the Use of Injection Wells for Industrial Waste Disposal, with R. Steven Morton and Susan Thompson, 1990, Article
- Issues and Policy Considerations Regarding Hazardous Waste Exports, 11 Houston Journal of International Law 373, 1989, Article
Professional Memberships and Activities
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER)
- American Bar Association, Vice Chair for Programs for the ABA SEER Infrastructure and Siting Committee, 2008-2011
- Austin Bar Association
Honors
-
AV® Preeminent ™ Peer Review Rated
- AV® Preeminent ™ and BV® Distinguished™ are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, 2007-2008, 2010-2012
- Recognized in The Texas Who's Who Legal, 2007-2008
-
“Leaders in Their Field,” Environmental Law, Chambers USA 2005-2011 Guides
Community Involvement
- Austin United Capital Soccer Club, Team Manager, 2005-2008
- North Austin Soccer Alliance, Soccer Coach, 2003-2004
- West Austin Youth Association, Soccer Coach, 2000-2002
- Adult Services Council, President, Officer, and Board Member, 1991-1996