Mr. Bowers practices environmental law and civil litigation, with over two decades of experience tackling some of the most complex, high stakes pollution disputes in the Southeastern United States. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in environmental, product liability, and toxic tort litigation, involving cumulative amounts in controversy exceeding $1 Billion. No matter the client or the nature of the dispute, Chris brings the same level of dedication, compassion, and tenacity to secure successful outcomes for those he represents. Since 2015, Chris has devoted his practice entirely to representation of plaintiffs.Chris is a recognized expert in the field of environmental law, and is a subject matter expert in environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, civil enforcement, and soil, groundwater, surface water and drinking water contamination involving Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, or “Forever Chemicals”). Chris was lead counsel for plaintiff in the first two Federal environmental civil enforcement lawsuits in Georgia history involving PFAS contamination that have culminated in an enforceable federal court order (or Consent Decree). In one of these cases, the Court order requires an offer of free testing of a community’s residential groundwater drinking water supply and alternate drinking water remedies for qualified residents in the heart of the nation’s carpet producing-region, among a host of other remedies. Together with his client, a grassroots environmental organization, Chris uncovered the true extent of this PFAS contamination that had been largely overlooked by agencies and local government alike, culminating in substantial remedies for the community’s drinking water and wastewater treatment operations.

Illustrative matters:• Counsel for Plaintiff environmental organization in suit to enforce the Clean Water Act arising from discharges of per- and polyfluoroalykyl substances (PFAS) from textile operations and municipal wastewater treatment plant, resulting in Consent Decree to permanently eliminate PFAS use by textile producer and interim pretreatment of wastewater. Coosa River Basin Initiative v Mount Vernon Mills, et al., No. 4:23-cv-00088-WMR (N.D. Ga. July 10, 2023).• Represented environmental organization in administrative challenge to Clean Water Act permit issued to steam electric coal fired power plant, resulting in invalidation of permit and remand back to agency, to impose interim best technology available to minimize harms to fish and aquatic life inflicted by plant's cooling water intake structure via impingement and entrainment. Coosa River Basin Initiative et al. v. Ga DNR, Nos. OSAH-1825406-BNR-WQC-57-Howells, OSAH-1826761-BNR-WQC-57-Howells (July 6, 2018)• Trial, appellate counsel for plaintiff in the first Clean Water Act citizen enforcement suit arising from the storage of coal ash in the nation, resulting in finding that Defendant violated the Clean Water Act for discharging arsenic from waste storage areas to nearby river. Sierra Club v. Va. Elec. & Power Co., 247 F. Supp.3d 753 (E.D. Va. 2017) aff'd in part, rev'd in part, Sierra Club v. Va. Elec. & Power Co., Nos. 17-1895 & 17-1952, 2018 WL 4343513 (4th Cir. Sept. 12, 2018).

Illustrative matters: • Represented common carrier in defense of soil and groundwater contamination cost recovery claims, resulting in exclusion of opponent's subsurface fate & transport expert opinions, and dismissal of claims by trial court, Barrett Props. LLC et al. v. CCL Enterprises, Inc. et al., Civ No. 08-CI-1833-A, 2011 WL 12847164 (Ga. Super. Ct. May 13, 2011).• Represented floor sealant manufacturer in defense of chemical exposure claims, resulting in exclusion of testifying expert pulmonologist and dismissal of claims, Byous v. LM Scofield Co., No. 3:07-CV-053-JTC, 2009 WL 10664903 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 27, 2009)• Represented insurer in defense of bad faith denial of coverage claims, resulting in dismissal on summary judgment, Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Atlanta Gas Light Co., No. 1:03-CV-0121-JEC, 2009 WL 10671849 (N.D. Ga. March 18, 2009) • Represented county in solid waste landfill permitting dispute, prevailing on summary judgment and on appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia, R&J Murray, LLC v. Murray County, 282 Ga. 740 (Ga. 2007)• Represented numerous entities in CERCLA cost-recovery and contribution actions, including those prosecuted by private parties, the US EPA and state agencies• Represented energy firms in evaluation, acquisition and permitting issues concerning utility scale solar energy projects and initiatives• Represented national hotel company, national restaurant company and regional service station company in state and local permitting matters

• Associate attorney in the Capital Finance and Real Estate Services Practice Group