Curran, George F. III

Professionals Attorneys Curran, George F. III

Contact Information

Email: gcurran@kotzsangster.com
Direct: (313) 259-8723
Fax: (313) 259-1451
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Office

Detroit Office
400 Renaissance Center
Suite 3400
Detroit, MI 48243

Publications & Presentations

“What’s In A Name: Mortgagee vs. Loss Payee: Status Does Affect Coverage Under Property Insurance Policies,” Michigan Banker Magazine, September 2015
“Avoid Liability Problems in Property Transactions,” Michigan Banker Magazine, December 2012
“New EPA NPDES Rule Affects Construction Site Water Activities: The Storm is Approaching,” MITA - Cross Section, Co-Author, Spring 2010
“CERCLA Nanotechnology Issues,” American Bar Association, Environment, Energy and Resources Section, Co-Author, June 2006
“EMS/Innovative Regulatory Approaches,” American Bar Association, Environment, Energy and Resources Section, Co-Author, June 2006
“RCRA Regulation of Wastes From the Production, Use and Disposal of Nanomaterials,” American Bar Association, Environment, Energy and Resources Section, Co-Author, June 2006
“Will German Recycling Legislation Serve as a Model for the European Community?” Detroit College of Law, Journal of International Law and Practice, Volume 3, Issue 1
“Pacific Rim Environmental Regulation – A Western Perspective of Several Countries’ Environmental Liability Laws,” Detroit College of Law, Journal of International Law and Practice, Volume 3, Issue 1
“Behind the Wheel of the Green Car: EPA’s New Direction After the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990,” Auto Recycle ’93 Conference, Frankfurt, Germany, Panelist
ThermoPlastic Elastomers Conference, Government Regulation of Plastics Industry, Recycling Initiatives and ISO 9000/14000, Panelist, 1993

Education

J.D., Detroit College of Law, 1980
B.A., Wayne State University, 1975
Hazardous Waste Management Certificate, Masters Program, Wayne State University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 1992
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Masters Level Certification, Institute of Hazardous Materials Managers, 1992-2022

Bar & Court Admissions

State of Michigan, 1980
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
U.S. District Court, Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
U.S. District Court, Eastern, Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana
U.S. District Court, Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma
Pro Hac Vice in Courts in Ohio, Florida, Louisiana and West Virginia

Profile & Practice Areas

As a former insurance underwriter and insurance coverage and defense counsel with Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) Masters Level Certification, George F. Curran, III understands the nuances of policy language and the intricacies of environmental and occupational health and safety risk management to furnish clients with the highest degree of legal and professional guidance and representation, before courts and regulatory bodies. He has extensive experience in the areas of environmental and insurance law and has litigated and defended wetlands, water law, air quality and permitting, groundwater remediation and complex insurance coverage cases and has successfully defended clients in regulatory permitting and enforcement actions.

George serves as practice group leader of the firm’s Environmental Law and Insurance Coverage/Risk Management practice groups. He is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell for Environmental, Insurance and Litigation and has been included as a Michigan Super Lawyer and DBusiness Top Lawyer since 2014.

Additionally, he represents the Responsible Recyclers Association, is a member of recycling industry stakeholder group working to develop sustainable practices and procedures, and a member of the state’s Scrap and Salvage Stakeholder Group.

As National Coordinating Counsel for the largest program of Environmental Impairment Liability Insurance ever written in North America, George has successfully represented clients in State and Federal Courts in complex environmental contamination litigation in more than 22 states.

George was appointed to the Michigan Climate Action Council Residential Commercial and Industrial Workgroup by gubernatorial Executive Order. He also counsels firm clients on bio fuel, alternative fuel, alternative energy, “Green” building codes, and economic development incentives, including pollution prevention, grant and assistance programs, sustainability initiatives and brownfield redevelopment funding.

Practice Areas

Honors & Awards

Martindale-Hubbell, Rated AV-Preeminent; Environmental Law, Insurance and Litigation
Best Lawyers, Insurance Law, Environmental Law, 2024-2025
Super Lawyers, Environmental Law, 2014-2024
Leading Lawyers, Environmental Law; Insurance, Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law, 2014-2024
DBusiness Top Lawyers, Environmental Law, Energy Law, Litigation - Insurance, 2014-2023, 2025

Professional Associations

State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Section, Council Member, 2009-2017; Sustainability and Climate Change Committee, 2008-2014
American Bar Association, Vice Chair, Government and Private Sector Innovation Committee, 2013-2015
Oakland County Bar Association; Energy, Sustainability and Environmental Law Committee; Past Chair, Member
Michigan Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Defense Research Institute
Michigan Manufacturers Association
International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), P3 Committee, Member, 2016-2018
Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers of Michigan; Past President and Board Member, 1992-2018
Michigan Climate Action Council; Industrial, Commercial and Residential Work Group, Gubernatorial Appointee
Detroit Regional Chamber, Energy and Environmental Policy Committee, Member, 2008-2018
Wayne State University, Chemical Engineering Graduate Department, Adjunct Professor: Environmental Law and Administration, Environmental Auditing, Real Estate Due Diligence, Risk Management and Insurance

Community Involvement

Knights of Columbus, Council Advocate and Membership Director, 2008-2024
City of Farmington Hills, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Member, 2015-2024

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