Crowell & Moring’s Monty Cooper Receives ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources Award

Washington, D.C. – August 11, 2021: Crowell & Moring counsel Monty Cooper, chair of the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources’ (ABA-SEER) Equity and Inclusion Taskforce received the “ABA-SEER Chair Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Section” for his leadership and work on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce. Created in 2020, the taskforce is focused on enhancing and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within ABA-SEER and the environmental bar. Cooper was named chair of the taskforce in September 2020. To carry out its mission, the taskforce works to create initiatives and organize programming that encourages more law students to consider careers in environmental law and encourage the retention and promotion of diverse attorneys within the profession, including at law firms, in academia and government, and at non-profits. The taskforce has also conducted outreach to young lawyers and organizations to promote diversity within the Section across all levels.

The taskforce is made up of about 10 members, including representatives from in-house legal departments, law firms, government, and the non-profit sector. As a result of its success, ABA-SEER recently made the taskforce a full Special Committee. Section Chair Howard Kenison, who presented Cooper with the ABA-SEER Chair Award, noted to Monty, “Your and the Special Committee’s work will [be] one of the true hallmarks of our Section’s work during my chair year and, more importantly, in advancing a key issue of our times.” 

“It is immensely gratifying to have the important work of the ABA-SEER taskforce recognized and elevated to Special Committee status,” said Cooper. “I’m honored to receive this award and want to acknowledge the important contributions of every taskforce member as we continue our efforts to promote inclusion and diversity, both within ABA-SEER and across every area of environmental law.”

Cooper 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. Cooper also advises clients on areas associated with corporate environmental sustainability, including climate change and decarbonization; infrastructure; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. He also provides counsel on regulatory and legislative matters affecting the mining and natural resources industries.