John W Watson

John W. Watson chairs the Firm's Global Environmental Practice Group, consistently recognized as the largest environmental practice of any law firm in the world. John has been advising industrial enterprises on managing environmental risks and liabilities arising out of their domestic and international operations for over 35 years.

Practice Focus

John's practice focuses on providing counsel to US and multinational companies to address the environmental challenges associated with their industrial and manufacturing operations. His work ranges from strategic advice on the development and implementation of global corporate environmental compliance programs and sustainability initiatives to recurring counsel on day-to-day compliance issues at individual operating facilities. John actively defends industrial concerns in federal and state enforcement cases and government and private cleanup and cost recovery actions across the United States. He also works with companies on the assessment and proactive management of environmental risks arising in corporate transactions and the purchase and sale of industrial real estate portfolios and individual assets.

John frequently speaks and writes on environmental legal and regulatory issues and developments affecting industrial business operations around the world. Recent work includes:

Ramboll/Baker McKenzie Webinar Series - Perspectives on the New Reality for EHS Leaders in a Post-COVID World (September 2020)

X International Conference for Multinationals (Brazil) - ESG and Sustainability Performance - Evolving Reporting and Disclosure Regimes for Global Businesses (August 2020)

Ramboll/Baker McKenzie Webinar Series - Examining Opportunities to Address and Minimize EHS Risks and Liabilities During Corporate Restructuring Initiatives (July 2020)

Baker McKenzie 2020 International Environmental Conference: Transboundary Waste Shipments - Navigating the Regulatory Morass and Managing Liabilities (July 2020)

Baker McKenzie 2020 International Environmental Conference: Disaster Preparedness - Implementing Effective Global Emergency Response Programs (June 2020)

Chicago-Kent College of Law (IIT)

J.D., Joyce Foundation Environmental Law Scholar, Recipient of 125 Alumni of Distinction in 2013

1985

St. Olaf College

B.A. English

1985