Biography
Jonathan Bull is an environmental lawyer and compliance counselor in the Environmental & Legislative practice of Jackson Walker’s Dallas office. Jon counsels clients on regulatory matters and complex environmental litigation matters in both state and federal courts and in arbitration proceedings. He helps clients identify and mitigate environmental risks, navigate permitting processes, and defends clients in administrative enforcement actions. He also leverages his background as both a hydrogeologist and former enforcement attorney with the EPA to appropriately frame and manage environmental operational compliance and liability aspects of company and asset business transactions, including handling of legacy liability and compliance issues. Jon regularly works with land development and construction clients on policy, compliance and enforcement aspects of state and federal programs regulating stormwater discharges, wetlands and jurisdictional waters, dust emissions and protected species and resources.
Jon previously served the EPA for two years as associate regional counsel in the Hazardous Waste Enforcement Branch, where he prosecuted enforcement actions in administrative and judicial forums, working with the U.S. Department of Justice and the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. During his time with the EPA, Jon gained particular knowledge with enforcement of Clean Air Act Section 112(r), also known as the Chemical Accident Prevention Program, and hazardous waste matters under RCRA. Prior to law school, Jon worked as a hydrogeologist with a national engineering and consulting firm.
In his practice, Jon serves a broad range of regional and national clients across business sectors, including residential and commercial construction and development, commercial warehousing and distribution, manufacturing, refineries, foundries, and electro-plating facilities.
Jon uses his deep industry experience to conduct environmental due diligence in matters such as chemical accident prevention, transportation of hazardous materials, environmental provisions in transactional agreements, identification and allocation of environmental risk, and the use of environmental insurance. Jon’s environmental litigation and arbitration work has helped clients with environmental cost recovery actions under CERCLA, the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act and other state cost recovery statutes, common law environmental claims, environmental-related contract and lease disputes, and insurance coverage.
Education
B.S., Washington & Lee University
M.S., University of Massachusetts
J.D., SMU Dedman School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas, 2002
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Jon offers a depth and breadth of experience and value to clients, such as:
- EPA’s Chemical Accident Prevention regulations, Risk Management Plans and General Duty Clause under section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act
- Environmental audits and management systems
- NPDES, stormwater, wetlands and dust-control permitting and compliance
- Environmental regulatory compliance related to inspections, inquiries, and enforcement actions in all environmental media
- Solid and hazardous waste compliance requirements
- Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, FIFRA, RCRA and related state and federal programs
- Environmental registrations, permits and regulatory approvals
- Environmental site investigations and response actions
- Transportation of oil and hazardous materials
- Land preservation counseling – negotiation and enforcement of land conservation agreements and easements
- Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine – 2020
- EPA Region 6 Bronze Metal, 2012
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.)
- Environmental Law, 2019-2021
- State Bar of Texas Environment and Natural Resources Section, Member
- Section Liaison, SMU Dedman School of Law
- Executive Committee, 2015-2018
- Dallas Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Member
- Executive Committee Chair, 2011-2012
- Preservation Dallas
- Treasurer, 2014-2017
- Board of Directors, 2010-2017
- T. Boone Pickens YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
- Board of Management, Member, 2009-Present
- Partners Campaign Committee. Member, Former Co-Chair
- North Texas Conservation Land Trust, pro bono counseling, 2008-2010, 2016-Present
- Friends of Lakewood, Member, 2000-2009