(Chattanooga, TN / February 3, 2015) Baker Donelson announces the addition of J. Wayne Cropp to the Firm's Chattanooga office.
Mr. Cropp joins Baker Donelson as of counsel and as a member of the Firm's Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions group, where he focuses on public policy, economic development and environmental law. He brings unique legal experience with respect to emerging manufacturing technologies and companies and represents clients on a full range of environmental law issues, including new source permitting, environmental enforcement, air and water quality, Superfund, brownfield redevelopment and waste resource issues. From 1979-1990, Mr. Cropp served as Executive Director of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau, where he developed the implementation strategies that put Chattanooga in the national spotlight for its environmental initiatives.
A well-known author and speaker on Clean Air Act issues, Mr. Cropp has an exemplary background in service on both the local and national levels. He has served as the president of the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (ALAPCO), now known as the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA), and participated in the development of the National Air Toxics Strategy through his tenure as chairman of the ALAPCO's Air Toxics Committee. Mr. Cropp also served as chairman of the Chattanooga Technology Summit, of the Tennessee Valley Corridor. For 15 years, he served as chairman of the Environment Committee for the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association. He is an active member of the Chattanooga, Tennessee and American Bar Associations and served as chairman of the Environmental Law Committee of the Tennessee Bar Association. He was also the recipient of the Air Conservationist of the Year Award from the Tennessee Conservation League in 1986.
"Wayne is a highly-respected practitioner in corporate and environmental law in our community and throughout the state," said Russell W. Gray, managing shareholder of Baker Donelson's Chattanooga office. "His addition to our office and to our corporate practice will enhance our service offerings and benefit our clients."
A graduate of Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, Mr. Cropp was legal counsel to the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (U.S. Jaycees). He was also the campaign chairman for former U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp and served as Hamilton County GOP Party chairman.