Elliott Laws

Elliott Laws is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring and Chairs the firm’s Environment & Natural Resources group and also practices in the Energy and Government Affairs groups. He provides strategic counseling and legal, policy and crisis management advice on environmental and energy policy issues, regulation and litigation, addressing Superfund and Hazardous Wastes; Brownfields Redevelopment; Environmental Remediation; Chemical Regulation; Clean Air; and Clean Water. Elliott is frequently sought for advice regarding site specific, as well as, general issues faced by major corporations in the environmental regulatory and policy areas. With his deep environmental experience, he is able to help guide these clients through complex negotiations and development of innovative resolutions at the highest levels of the federal government.

In 2011 he was appointed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to serve as Administrative Trustee for the environmental response trust (Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response or RACER Trust) that will oversee the approximately $800 million trust established by the U.S. Government to clean up and repurpose for redevelopment the former properties of "Old" General Motors Corp.

Elliott formerly served as President of Safety, Health and Environment for Texaco Inc. While at Texaco, he was responsible for the development and oversight of worldwide environmental and safety policies and positions, including climate change, sustainability, environmental management systems, and corporate audit and responsibility programs supporting the underlying strategic and business objectives of the corporation. Elliott was also principal advisor to the CEO and other senior corporate officials on environmental policy matters. His work with Texaco included working with business unit leaders to integrate environmental goals of the corporation into the business unit plans. Finally, he supported business units on international project and policy development including interaction with international business partners and coordinated with the Legal Department and Government Affairs Office on major environmental claims.

As Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response at the Environmental Protection Agency, he was responsible for regulatory and policy development and implementation for solid and hazardous waste management. This included the Superfund, RCRA, Brownfields and underground storage tank programs. Previously, he was a Justice Department and EPA attorney and a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney. He is a graduate of St. John’s University and Georgetown University Law Center.