Lana Rowenko

Partner

Location
Houston
Phone number
(713) 355-5013

Lana Rowenko’s practice focuses on environmental litigation, as well as commercial litigation. Lana’s environmental practice includes representing states and sovereigns in complex environmental litigation involving natural resource damages, recovery under federal environmental statutes, and economic damages arising under state tort law. She also has experience representing companies before state administrative bodies related to environmental permitting.

Prior to joining Kelley Drye, Lana practiced in the area of securities litigation, enforcement, and investigations. In that practice, Lana represented corporations and their officers and directors in a range of industries in securities class action and derivative litigation, as well as in SEC investigations and enforcement matters. In addition, Lana has represented corporations and individuals from multiple industries in civil commercial litigation in both state and federal courts, including litigation involving complex contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, shareholder disputes, corporate dissolution, and wrongful termination.

Environmental Litigation

Served as trial counsel for the State of New Jersey in prosecuting New Jersey’s case against DuPont for knowingly discharging PFAS and other contamination from DuPont’s Chambers Works site into the waters and environment of New Jersey for decades. Following a month of trial in federal court in Camden, DuPont and related companies agreed to a record setting settlement with New Jersey valued at $2 billion in remediation, restoration, costs, and damages. On the eve of this trial, 3M settled-out for up to $450 million more in PFAS damages to New Jersey. At $2 billion, DuPont’s settlement with New Jersey is the largest environmental recovery for a single plaintiff – and is one of the largest legal recoveries of any kind – in the history of the country.

Representing multiple states and sovereign territories as special counsel in the multi-district litigation arising from PFAS contamination related to use of aqueous fire-fighting foam (AFFF), as well as litigation in state courts arising from contamination from per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) from industrial and other uses.

Representing the State of Maryland and all State agencies in bringing claims for costs and damages resulting from the DALI’s allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Port of Baltimore in March 2024.

Representing the State of New Mexico as special counsel in litigation against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, its contractors, and owners of certain abandoned mines for damages arising from the Gold King Mine Blowout of August 5, 2015.

Represented a Texas corporation in hearings before the Texas Department of Environmental Quality and State Office of Administrative Hearings regarding challenges to an air permit.

Commercial Litigation

Representing a manufacturer of hair care products in federal court litigation against a distributor arising from a supply and distribution agreement.

Defended a manufacturer of pet products in federal court litigation regarding claims of breach of contract, promissory estoppel, and quantum meruit. Obtained a favorable ruling on a motion for summary judgment resulting in complete dismissal of the claims.

Selected to Houston Super Lawyers ​“Rising Stars,” 2022.

Recommended in US Legal 500 for her work in the Environment Litigation area, 2020 and 2022-2024.

Houston Bar Association

Houston Young Lawyers Association