Carter F. Thurman

With an undergraduate degree in natural resources and a master’s in environmental science and engineering, Carter Thurman is driven by a strong work ethic and attention to detail. He enjoys focusing on the science in his defense of large corporations in products liability cases.

Carter prosecuted 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. He has represented large pharmaceutical companies in products liability litigation and has significant experience in motions practice, taking and defending fact and expert witness depositions, and leading eDiscovery efforts involving document collection from multiple federal agencies. His oral argument and trial experience includes directing and crossing witnesses and presenting opening and closing arguments. Carter 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. His work at the Justice Department included defending agency actions under the APA and defending against challenges to rulemakings. Carter also 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.

Carter currently serves as Featured Expert Contributor on Litigation Strategies for Washington Legal Foundation’s On the Legal Pulse. He publishes and speaks on issues related to his practice, including PFAS, and various strategic and procedural issues important to large cases. He is a member of the firm’s Recruitment Committee.