The POWER List 2022: William J. Curtis

Polsinelli, St. Louis

A 2000 graduate of George Washington University Law School, William Curtis regularly navigates the complex waters of environmental and regulatory litigation.

Curtis’s resume encompasses mass tort cases, class actions, CERCLA matters, environmental citizen suits, negotiations with regulators, accident investigations and contractual disputes. He also helps clients comply with requirements for the sale, use, release or disposal of chemicals, bio-engineered systems and biotechnology and provides advice on issues related to the marketing of GMOs.

In addition to extensive experience dealing with mercury, PCBs, lead, benzene and asbestos, Curtis has worked regularly with professionals in hydrology, toxicology and epidemiology related to contamination issues.

Among his representative cases, Curtis acquired limited immunity for a cement company facing nuisance complaints in connection with its hauling operations; represented a pipeline company in multiple cases related to a plume of gasoline; won a favorable settlement for Occidental Chemical Corp. in a major matter alleging damage from a mercury release and successfully defended a toxic tort casethat had targeted Tate & Lyle Sucralose, obtaining a defense verdict in just 45 minutes after a two-week trial.

Curtis joined Polsinelli in 2013 after 11 years at Husch Blackwell Sanders where he made partner in 2008. Earlier, he served as an associate at Thompson Coburn.

“Bill works extensively with medical and environmental experts to develop creative and practical positions to help advance his client’s position in court or with federal and state regulators,” said his firm’s website biography.