Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

Douglas J. Crouse

Of Counsel
Douglas J. Crouse

Doug Crouse is a people person at heart and getting to know his clients and their business is his favorite part of what he does and what keeps him motivated. His prior experience defending energy clients in environmental litigation brings a unique perspective to his transactional practice, in which he helps clients structure and negotiate deals that achieve their business goals. Creatively developing a path from point A to point B allows his clients to focus on what they do best and lets Doug tap into his problem-solving mentality. Doug’s love of the coal industry and its impact on West Virginia is an asset to clients.

Representative Experience

  • Provided legal services for coal operators in West Virginia
  • Defended numerous energy companies in federal court and state environmental boards against citizen suits and administrative appeals
  • Argued before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in defense of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ issuance of a Clean Water Act § 404 fill permit to a coal operator against claims that mountaintop mining causes adverse human health effects
  • Administered consent decree involving a novel stream restoration approach in a Clean Water Act citizen suit filed against a coal operator alleging violation of West Virginia’s “narrative” water quality standard
  • Defended U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorization of a Clean Water Act ¬ß 404 general permits for a major natural gas pipeline project

Achievements

  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Energy & Natural Resources Law, Charleston, WV (2015-2020, 2023-Present)

Memberships

  • Vice President (2017–2019); Board of Directors (2015–2019); Volunteer Mentor (2009–2019), Education Elevators Program
  • Editorial Board Member, Natural Resources & Environment, American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (2017–2019)

Speaking Engagements

  • “OSHA to EPA: Environmental & Safety Regulatory Predictions Under a Trump Presidency,” Association of Corporate Counsel Colorado Chapter, In-House Counsel Forum, Denver CO (April 5, 2017)
  • “Conventional and Unconventional Warfare: The Increasing Criminalization of Both Clearly Wrong and Seemingly Ordinary Activities in the Mineral Industries,” EMLF 36th Annual Institute, Amelia Island, FL (June 22, 2015)

Publications

  • “Muddying the (Ground) Water: When Does the CWA Apply?” American Bar Association’s Natural Resources & Environment, Vol. 33 No. 3 (Winter 2019)
  • “A Dent in the Clean Water Act’s Permit Shield,” American Bar Association’s Natural Resources & Environment, Vol. 32 No. 1 (Summer 2017)

Licensed In

  • West Virginia

Education

  • J.D. Wake Forest University School of Law
  • B.A. West Virginia University

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Douglas Crouse Joins Firm
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