Benjamin H. Patton

"He is incredibly knowledgeable in his space and really takes the time to understand his client and their needs."
Chambers USA, Environment, client

"He is pragmatic, considerate and extremely well-versed in this area of law."
Chambers USA, Environment, client

"Ben can always be counted on to provide top-notch advice."
Chambers USA, Environment, client

Ben is the global co-chair of Reed Smith’s Energy & Natural Resources Group and concentrates his practice on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulatory and compliance matters. He routinely counsels companies in connection with EHS compliance programs, major industrial accidents, internal investigations and root cause analysis (RCA), workplace culture, compliance assurance, crisis response, whistleblowers, process safety incidents, and workplace injuries and fatalities. He also advises companies on government agency investigations and enforcement, environmental litigation, and response to regulatory rulemakings.

Experience

Representative matters

Represented technology companies on global EHS compliance programs and regulatory enforcement.

Represented pharmaceutical companies on EHS compliance, risk management, and regulatory investigation and enforcement matters.

Represented an aerospace and technology company on safety performance review.

EHS Compliance Counseling

Represented technology companies on global EHS compliance programs and regulatory enforcement.

Represented pharmaceutical companies on EHS compliance, risk management, and regulatory investigation and enforcement matters.

Represented an aerospace and technology company on safety performance review.

Represented integrated energy companies and industry groups in multiple process safety and environmental regulatory rulemakings by federal and state agencies.

Represented a multinational automotive manufacturer in enterprise-wide compliance assurance and safety review.

Represented a national utility company in connection with the implementation of a process safety management program.

Counseled a vehicle components manufacturer regarding investigation of workplace drug use.

Represented a national petroleum refiner and retailer in internal whistleblower investigation and subsequent downstream process safety review.

Incident Response

Represented a paper manufacturing company on EHS enforcement matters and incident response.

Developed major incident response toolkits and programs for energy companies with upstream and downstream operations.

Represented a US automotive manufacturer in connection with response to workplace fatalities in the United States and Europe.

Developed an emergency response plan for national exploration and production company.

Advised an upstream exploration and production company in response to well blowout and investigations by EPA, OSHA, and state environmental agencies, and supported internal root cause investigation.

Represented an integrated energy company in multi-agency investigation following refinery fire, including inspections and enforcement by the CSB, EPA, OSHA, and other state and local agencies.

Represented an energy company in connection with a fire at an exploration and production site resulting in federal and state regulatory agency investigations.

Represented a multinational oil and gas services company in connection with Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into an offshore incident involving multiple fatalities.

Investigations and Enforcement

Represented energy companies in connection with environmental criminal investigations.

Represented a Fortune 500 offshore drilling company in numerous investigations and incident of non-compliance (INC) actions by BSEE civil and criminal Investigations and Review Unit (IRU).

Appealed and obtained a favorable settlement of OSHA enforcement relating to workplace incidents at natural gas power plant.

Represented a chemical company in a regulatory applicability investigation and compliance review of petroleum storage assets.

Represented numerous chemical manufacturers and transporters in enforcement actions by federal and state occupational, safety and health agencies.

Represented a multinational electric utility company in connection with an employee fatality and investigation by federal agency.

Represented an integrated oil and gas company in connection with a multiagency investigation and enforcement following a refinery explosion and fire.

Represented a vehicle manufacturer in connection with an OSHA inspection into machine guarding and other workplace safety standards, including subsequent enforcement.

Disputes

Represented two multinational petroleum refiners in a nationwide docket of more than 20 active MTBE product liability and groundwater contamination cases in state and federal court.

Represented a national petroleum retailer in a class action product liability suit relating to ethanol additives in gasoline.

Represented a national chemical manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute concerning environmental liability for a railroad chemical spill.

Represented the primary investor in the construction of a coal power plant before the EPA Environmental Appeals Board and in federal court in a suit brought by a state attorney general.

Recognitions

Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (Environmental Law), 2025–2027
Ranked in Chambers USA for Texas Environment, 2022-2026
Ranked as a Leading Partner in The Legal 500 US for Environment: Regulatory, 2017-2026