Carter F. Thurman

With an undergraduate degree in Natural Resources and a master’s in Environmental Science and Engineering, Carter enjoys diving deep into the science behind each case. Driven by a strong work ethic and his attention to detail, Carter focuses on defending large corporations in products liability cases often having a scientific bent.

As a trial team member, Carter’s experience includes prosecuting commercial contract claims against a large company that formerly co-owned and operated a chemical plant under both breach of contract and contractual indemnification causes of action with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake. His experience also includes representing large pharmaceutical companies in products liability litigation, where he has authored a wide variety of motions and briefs, including summary judgment. Carter also relies on his prior work as a groundwater hydrologist to represent clients in toxic tort and groundwater contamination matters involving various chemicals, including PFAS.

Prior to joining the firm, Carter was a trial attorney through the honors program at the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division. In that role, he litigated complex cases involving NEPA, CAA, Federal Aid Highway Act, Mineral Leasing Act, FLPMA, and the Fifth Amendment takings clause. He gained significant experience in motions practice, taking and defending fact and expert depositions, and leading E-Discovery efforts involving document collection from multiple federal agencies. Carter gained significant oral argument and trial experience, including directing and crossing witnesses, and presenting opening and closing arguments. His work at the Justice Department also included defending agency actions under the APA and defending against challenges to rulemakings.

Carter currently serves as Featured Expert Contributor on Litigation Strategies for Washington Legal Foundation’s On the Legal Pulse.

Following law school, Carter clerked at the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. While there, he assisted empaneled three-judge boards hearing suits under the Atomic Energy Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, regarding nuclear safety, security, and the environment.

Having played baseball in college, Carter has high hopes of reviving the firm’s softball team post-pandemic. He is a member of the firm’s Recruitment Committee.