HOUSTON, TX, October 24, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Gerald J. Pels has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Pels has established a distinguished career as an environmental partner at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP. In this capacity, he is responsible for advising clients on complex environmental compliance matters with a focus on air emissions regulation, working closely with C-suite executives to address board-level issues, such as environmental investigations, and defending/negotiating the resolution of actions brought by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, state agencies, and citizen suits. His expertise extends to helping companies in the energy, oil and gas, and midstream sectors navigate environmental compliance, permitting, and enforcement defense. Mr. Pels is recognized for his ability to effectively negotiate and mitigate risk efficiently, while ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.

A highlight of Mr. Pels' professional journey includes resolving the well-known Cooper v. Aviall litigation, which was on remand to federal district court from the United States Supreme Court. The settlement resolved many years of contentious environmental litigation, involving federal and state statutory issues, including some matters of first impression, as well as contractual and common law issues. Gerry also successfully argued Clean Air Act issues before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in the BCCA Appeal Group v. US EPA (October 2003) litigation. Finally, another example is Gerry leading a team lf lawyers, consultants, and company executives assisting a large exploration and production company facing significant compliance issues across multiple states. For over 5+ years, his team helped the company achieve compliance through state audit and immunity programs, other permitting actions, and negotiation, with minimal penalties incurred and no business disruption. While other companies faced fines in the tens of millions (or more), Mr. Pels' team was able to avert any substantial financial penalties, allowing the company to operate smoothly and maintain profitability, which was a rewarding experience.

Before returning to Locke Lord LLP, a predecessor of Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, Mr. Pels was a partner at Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan from late 2006 to 2009, where he continued to build his reputation as a leader in environmental law. From 1990 to 2006 and 2009 to 2024, he was a partner at Locke Lord, where he chaired the firm-wide environmental section for energy and industry and became one of the foremost figures in Texas's environmental legal community. His tenure at Locke Lord LLP was marked by involvement in high-profile cases such as Cooper v. Aviall and BCCA Appeal Group v. US EPA (October 2003).

Earlier in his career, Mr. Pels began as an associate at Liddell Sapp in Houston from 1983 to 1989, laying the foundation for his future leadership roles.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Pels contributed to academia as a professor at South Texas College of Law from 1991 to 1997, where he taught both environmental law and an advanced RCRA hazardous waste course, further demonstrating his commitment to advancing knowledge in his field.

Mr. Pels' expertise is widely recognized within the industry. He has been consistently listed in Chambers USA since 2004 and named among The Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law by Woodward White Publishers Incorporated from 2006 to present. Additional honors include recognition by Law Dragon as a Leader in Environmental Law from 2023 to present, and as one of the 500 Leading Energy Lawyers from 2023 to present.

His professional affiliations reflect his standing within the sector. Mr. Pels is a member of the National Association of Drilling Contractors and The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law.

Mr. Pels is a frequent speaker and writer in the environmental field. For example, he has also contributed scholarly work in the environmental field as co-author of "EPA's Stakeholder Report on Produced Water Management: Is Further Regulation on the Horizon and Should Industry Encourage It?" published by Locke Lord QuickStudy, as well as the Texas Environmental Law Practice Guide, published by Chambers in 2024.

His academic background includes earning a Juris Doctor from the Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville in 1983, where he was honored with the Order of the Coif distinction, and was an executive editor of the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law. He completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, graduating summa cum laude with an AB in political science and German in 1980.

Throughout his career, Mr. Pels has credited his achievements to a strong work ethic, unwavering support from his wife Karen, whom he married in 1981, and support and encouragement from highly talented colleagues. He entered the legal profession inspired by its potential for meaningful impact and its anticipated growth.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Pels is civically engaged through initiatives such as providing a scholarship for students at the Vanderbilt University School of Law.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Pels led an active personal life as a passionate sports fan and baseball card collector during his youth. He dedicates time to restoring classic sports cars, including working on a 1975 Ferrari, a 1972 De Tomaso Pantera, a 1977 Lancia Scorpion, and a 1978 Fiat Xl/9.

Mr. Pels is committed to strengthening his firm's environmental section by fostering talent development among associates and promoting their advancement within the organization. Following retirement from legal practice, he intends to focus on educating members of the judiciary about identifying spousal abuse, to ensure these issues are appropriately recognized and addressed.

He shares his life with his wife, Karen, and their two wonderful and beautiful daughters: Danielle and Devin. Danielle is the mother to Everett and Sterling, making Mr. Pels a proud grandfather of two grandsons.

Mr. Pels' enduring dedication to environmental law, mentorship and civic responsibility continues to shape both his profession and community for the better.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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