Member/Owner

Karen Aldridge Crawford

Karen Crawford practices in the areas of environmental law and litigation, toxic torts, and product liability. In 1997, the Institute of Professional Environmental Practice recognized
Ms. Crawford is a Qualified Environmental Professional, a distinction awarded after 15 years of experience and examination on a specific technical environmental project. In 2021, after completion of the required training, she was certified as a Circuit Court Mediator by the South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification.



(803) 360-2035



KLAC Law PO Box 6971 Columbia SC 29260



karen@klaclaw.com

Education

JD – Delaware Law School

University of San Francisco School of Law

MS, Engineering Management, Emphasis in Chemical
Engineering – Missouri University of Science and
Technology.

BS, Engineering Management, Emphasis in Chemical
Engineering – Missouri University of Science and
Technology.

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Counsels clients on environmental audits and compliance
Assists clients in disaster/catastrophic release response, including public relations
Represents clients in administrative hearings and negotiations with federal and state environmental agencies
Defends environmental litigation
Monitors and comments on state and federal regulatory activities
Clean Air Act permitting and enforcement defense, remediation oversight; experience in CERCLA cost recovery and contribution cases, Solid Waste and RCRA permitting,
administrative appeals and enforcement actions, Clean Water Act permitting citizen suit and enforcement defense, Toxic Substance Control Act, and FIFRA
Led environmental permitting efforts for new manufacturing facilities, as well as expansions
Provided counseling on occupational health and safety and Homeland Security regulatory compliance matters, including enforcement defense
Advises clients on product labeling compliance involving products regulated by CPSC, FDA, DOT, FIFRA, Buy America/Buy American, and other federal regulatory programs
Speaker and author on environmental issues
Held professional positions in engineering, technical supervision and environmental management with a U.S. corporation

Professional Activities

- The American College of Environmental Lawyers Fellow
  - Past Committee Co-Chair
  - Past Executive Committee Member
- Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow
- American Bar Association
  - Section of Litigation Mass Torts Committee, co-chair (present)
  - Litigation Section Professional Development Committee, co-chair (2019-2021)
  - Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee (EELC),
    co-chair (2016–2018)
  - Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee, newsletter co-editor
  - Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources, Past Committee Chair
  - Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section
  - EELC RCRA and CERCLA Sub-Committee Member and Past Chair
  - EELC Clean Air Act Sub-Committee, Past Chair
  - EELC Diversity Sub-Committee, Past Chair
  - Women Rainmakers, Charter Member, Former Executive Committee Member
- Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association, Former President
- Environmental, Mineral, and Natural Resources Section, Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Labor and Employment Law Section, Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Richland County Bar Association
- Air and Waste Management Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Environmental Law Institute
- National Association of Women Lawyers
- North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry
- Palmetto Economic Development Association
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Environmental Technical Committee
  - Air Ad Hoc Group
  - Solid Waste Ad Hoc Group
  - Legal Committee
- South Carolina Economic Development Association
- South Carolina Women Lawyers Association
- Water Pollution Control Federation
- American Indoor Air Quality Council, South Carolina Chapter, Board Member

Bar Admissions

South Carolina
Pennsylvania
District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of South
Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pa.

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney’s inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

Water Environment Association of South Carolina Life
Member Award (2018)
AV® Preeminent TM Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
American Bar Association Outstanding Subcommittee Chair for the Environmental Litigation Committee (2015–2016)
Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina Bronze
Leadership Award (2016)
Who’s Who Legal: Environment (2014–2020)
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Environment – South Carolina (2014–2020)
South Carolina Super Lawyers (environmental practice) (2010, 2012–2020)
The Best Lawyers in America® – Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation (2008–2021)
Best Lawyers’ 2012 Columbia, S.C., Litigation –
Environmental Lawyer of the Year
Greater Columbia Business Monthly “Legal Elite”– Environmental (2011, 2017, 2018)