Crain Caton & James

Overview

Robert E. “Robin” Morse has over forty years of experience in commercial litigation and environmental law. He started his environmental law practice in 1974, during the infancy of the major environmental regulatory programs. He assists clients on regulatory and transactional matters, representing them in the courtroom, and in administrative proceedings, from inception through trial and appeal. He is a founding member of the Houston Bar Association’s Environmental Law Section.

While environmental law and regulations continue to expand, Robin’s deep experience guides clients through the various forums, and before the various governmental bodies. From Superfund and Brownfield property redevelopment to toxic tort cases, Robin deals with the full gamut of environmental law issues.

Robin has successfully represented clients before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (and its predecessor agencies), the Texas Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Texas Railroad Commission.

He has represented both private and governmental clients, handling State and Federal Superfund and RCRA hazardous waste matters, air quality permitting and compliance issues, wastewater permitting and enforcement, asbestos and radioactive materials cases and wetlands-related problems. Robin has defended corporate clients in enforcement actions brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Texas Attorney General’s Office, as well as, administrative penalty cases. Additionally, he has successfully tried jury cases involving toxic torts.

Robin has served as a mediator and arbitrator in environmental disputes, applying his unique environmental and litigation experience.

Robin was selected to the 2003-2016, 2019-2023 Texas Super Lawyers lists (Thomson Reuters), 1995-2025 Best Lawyers in America, and was recognized by Chambers in 2005.

Experience

• Kettlewell v. Hot-Mix, Inc., 566 S.W.2d 663 (Tex. Civ. App.–Houston [1st], 1978, no writ)
• State v. Associated Metals & Minerals Corporation, 595 S.W.2d 924 (Tex. Civ. App.–Houston [14th], 1980, writ of mandamus ref’d)
• State v. Associated Metals & Minerals Corporation, 616 S.W.2d 305 (Tex. Civ. App.–Houston [14th], 1981)
• State v. Associated Metals & Minerals Corporation, 635 S.W.2d 407 (Tex. 1982)
• Town of Griffing Park v. City of Port Arthur, 628 S.W.2d 101 (Tex. App.–Beaumont 1981, writ ref. n.r.e.)
• Brenham Community Protective Ass’n v. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 893 F. Supp. 652, 665 (W.D.Tex. 1995)
• R.R. Street & Co. Inc. v. Pilgrim Enterprises, Inc., et al., 166 S.W.3d 232 (Tex. 2005)

Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas – Executive Committee of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, former member
• Houston Bar Association – Executive Council of the Environmental Section, former member
• Delta Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity

Community & Civic

• Houston Foundation for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, former big brother and board member
• Tourette’s Syndrome Association, board member
• Avondale House, past board member and president
• Chapelwood United Methodist Church

Honors & Awards

• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2003-2016, 2019-2024
• Top Lawyers in Houston, BL Rankings, 2017
• Best Lawyers in America – Environmental Law, BL Rankings, 1995-2025
• Best Lawyers in America – Litigation – Environmental, BL Rankings, 2016-2025
• Phi Beta Kappa, University of Texas at Austin
• Phi Eta Sigma, University of Texas at Austin
• Phi Delta Phi, University of Texas at Austin

Publications & Presentations

• Avoiding Litigation and Liability Concerning Environmental Claims Arising out of Texas Real Estate Transactions, State Bar of Texas, Environmental and Real Estate Law Conference, 2000
• Significant Environmental Cases, State Bar of Texas, 11th Annual Environmental Law Superconference, 1990
• Texas Voluntary Cleanup Program: A Discussion of its Benefits and Limits, Crain Caton & James, P.C., 1998
• Environmental Issues at the Wellhead, State Bar Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Section Report, 1997
• Use of Litigation Support Technology in Administrative Hearings and Accessing Online Agency Information, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Administrative Law Course, 1994
• Hazardous Waste: Permitting Developments, Annual Hazardous and Solid Waste Institute, University of Texas School of Law, 1993
• Hazardous Waste: Permitting Developments, Institute of Business Law, California State University, Los Angeles, 1992
• Regulatory Aspects of “NORM” in the Oil Patch, Petro-Safe Conference, 1991
• Environmental Site Assessments, Annual Hazardous and Solid Waste Institute, University of Texas School of Law, 1991
• NPDES Permitting: Onshore Oil & Gas Operations, Petro-Safe Conference, 1989
• Hazardous Waste in Texas, National Business Institute, Inc., 1988
• Industry’s Viewpoint of the Definition of Solid/Hazardous Waste: The Case of the Expanding “Wasteline”, State Bar of Texas, Environmental Law Conference, 1984
• Land Use and What it Means to Your Client, Houston Young Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Committee, 1979