Julian E. Harrell

Partner

Overview

Julian Harrell counsels clients on environmental law issues, with a commitment to providing legal perspectives and solutions that keep pace with a rapidly evolving marketplace. While “traditional” environmental law remains a key component of his practice, Julian knows that environmental regulatory compliance has become the bare minimum for companies with sustainability, carbon reduction, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Julian works with Faegre Drinker’s energy transaction team and ESG team to help clients “see the forest” as they pursue opportunities in the ever-changing — and highly scrutinized — spaces that are reshaping energy and environmental practices, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon markets, carbon claims, carbon credits, ESG reporting, regenerative agriculture, sustainable supply chains, sustainability-linked notes, community solar and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

Carbon Markets

Julian’s experience in carbon markets intersects various industries. He has represented clients in agriculture, lending and banking, energy, oil and gas, and telecommunications on matters including:

  • Structuring the sourcing, supply, delivery, use and scope emissions claiming for SAF
  • Creating pilot programs and offtake agreements for sustainable agricultural supply chains
  • Advising lenders and project developers regarding biodigester operations, community solar developments and EV infrastructure
  • Evaluating carbon claims for compliance with industry standards (e.g., VERRA / CCB)
  • Advising producers, distributors, and purchasers of various fuels on renewable energy credits (e.g., LCFS, 45Q and RINS)
  • Structuring offtake agreements for low carbon intensity (CI) fuel pathways, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects, and international reforestation programs

Environmental Law

Julian advises clients on navigating federal and state environmental regulations, including CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. He advocates for clients engaged in commercial and environmental litigation and agency proceedings in federal, state and local venues. Julian also assists clients in managing risk and conducting regulatory diligence in “buy-side” and “sell-side” transactions, including corporate M&A and commercial real estate deals.

His experience includes:

  • Defending corporate and manufacturing clients against “toxic tort” claims related to historic and commingled contamination
  • Defending corporate clients against administrative challenges to operating and construction permits issued by state and federal agencies
  • Defending agribusiness clients in Clean Water Act wetlands cases, including agency and judicial appeals of jurisdictional determinations for federal and state wetlands
  • Advising municipalities implementing new sewer infrastructure as required by the Clean Water Act
  • Advising corporate and municipal clients in brownfields, remediation, auditing and self-reporting matters, including obtaining the bona fide prospective purchaser (BFPP) defense, entering the Voluntary Remediation Plan (VRP), supplemental environmental projects (SEPs), and civil penalty mitigation

Product Liability

In addition to his environmental practice, Julian represents international life sciences companies, medical product manufacturers and industrial manufacturers in defending their products from product liability, personal injury and commercial claims.

His experience includes:

  • Defending medical device manufacturers in multidistrict litigation (MDL) and state court litigation against negligence and strict liability claims, including design defect, manufacturing defect and failure to warn
  • Creatively resolving pre-litigation claims and disputes involving alleged mechanical failure of industrial and consumer devices

Personal Interests

Julian practices a personal philosophy of servant leadership. He enjoys working collaboratively with community leaders and stakeholders to marshal and allocate resources to accomplish high-impact objectives, including making the legal profession more diverse, bringing art to disenfranchised demographics and innovating strategies for adapting to a rapidly changing legal profession.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Indiana

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Education

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
J.D. (2012)

DePauw University
B.A. (2008)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • Ways To Balance ESG Initiatives And Antitrust Risks
    Republished in Law360, July 17, 2023
  • Ethical Considerations in Environmental Law
    Co-presenter, Faegre Baker Daniels, Indianapolis, July 2016 
  • Marketing Mythbusters: 10 Tips for Success
    IndyBar Leader Series, 2014

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

  • Indianapolis Bar Foundation  Board Member, October 2019-present
  • Marion County Bar Association — Past President
  • Indy Bar Leader Series — Class XIV

Civic Activities

  • Indiana Repertory Theatre  Board Member, October 2019-present
  • Mid-States MSDC — Certification Committee, May 2017-present
  • Sapphire Theatre Company — Past Chair, Emeritus Board Member

Honors

  • Chambers USA — Indiana, Environmental, "Up and Coming" Lawyer, 2023
  • Best Lawyers® — "Ones to Watch," Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2022-24
  • Junior Achievement of Central Indiana – Indy’s Best and Brightest Finalist, 2023
  • Indiana Lawyer — Leadership in Law Award, Up and Coming Lawyer honoree, 2021
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-23
  • Indiana Super Lawyers — Rising Stars, Environmental, 2017-22
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2016
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2016, 2018-19
  • International Center — Leadership Across Cultures Certification, 2015 (awarded to Indianapolis professionals who completed a rigorous and immersive three-day course on international business partnering and etiquette)
  • Lawyers of Color — Midwest Region Hot List, 2014 (awarded to exceptional early- to mid-career minority attorneys)
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
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