Marquis Who’s Who Honors Gerald J. Pels with Inclusion in Who’s Who in the World

Gerald J. Pels channels years of expertise with Troutman Pepper Locke as a leading environmental lawyer

HOUSTON, January 20, 2026 — Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to honor Gerald J. Pels with inclusion in Who’s Who in the World. An accomplished listee, Dr. Pels celebrates many years’ experience in his professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Pels has established a distinguished career in environmental law, currently serving as an environmental partner at Troutman Pepper Locke in Houston since 2009. In this capacity, he counsels clients on navigating the complexities of environmental regulations, devising efficient compliance strategies and mitigating risk. His work includes advising C-suite executives on board-level environmental matters, overseeing investigations and defending clients in actions brought by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, state agencies and citizen suits. Mr. Pels’s expertise extends nationally, with a focus on representing heavy industry sectors such as manufacturing, chemical production, waste management and energy concerns, particularly within the oil and gas industry. He is recognized for his proficiency in environmental compliance, permitting and enforcement defense, as well as air emissions compliance.

Initially joining Troutman Pepper Locke before its merger with Lock Lord LLP in early 2025, Mr. Pels served as a partner from 1990 to 2006. During these years, he consistently led teams addressing complex environmental legal matters. Notably, he played a pivotal role in resolving the landmark Cooper v. Aviall litigation after the U.S. Supreme Court remanded it, concluding years of contentious federal and state statutory disputes involving novel legal questions and contractual claims. Mr. Pels also successfully argued Clean Air Act issues before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in BCCA Appeal Group v. United States Environmental Protection Agency in October 2003, a case that addressed significant aspects of the Texas State Implementation Plan.

Taking a brief hiatus to serve as a partner at Sutherland between 2006 and 2009, Mr. Pels continued to build his reputation as one of Texas’s leading environmental lawyers. Throughout his career, he has guided major exploration and production companies through multistate compliance challenges, leading multidisciplinary teams that achieved regulatory compliance with minimal penalties and uninterrupted business operations, outcomes that set benchmarks within the industry.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Pels was an associate at Liddell Sapp LLP in Houston from 1983 to 1990. His responsibilities included supporting senior partners on high-stakes environmental cases and developing foundational skills that would later define his leadership in the field.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Pels contributed to academia as an adjunct law professor at South Texas College of Law from 1991 to 1997, teaching courses in environmental law and advanced Resource Conservation and Recovery Act topics.

Mr. Pels’s academic background laid a strong foundation for his achievements. He earned an undergraduate degree in political science and German, summa cum laude, from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 1980 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1983. While working toward his law degree, Mr. Pels served as the executive editor of the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law from 1982 to 1983.

Active in his professional community, Mr. Pels is a member of several prominent organizations. He serves on the publications committee for The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, is affiliated with the National Association of Drilling Contractors, participates in the Texas Chemical Council and is involved with the Greater Houston Partnership. Mr. Pels’s dedication extends beyond professional accomplishments into civic engagement. Since 2025, he has sponsored scholarships at his alma mater, the school of law at Vanderbilt University, to foster future leaders in legal practice.

Mr. Pels is an active speaker and writer within the environmental field, dating back to the 1980s. Recent engagements include serving as panelist for “EPA’s New Oil and Gas Methane Regulations” with The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, co-authoring EPA’s Stakeholder Report on Produced Water Management: Is Further Regulation on the Horizon and Should Industry Encourage It?’ for Locke Lord QuickStudy, and contributing to the Texas Environmental Law Practice Guide published by Chambers and Partners.

Throughout Mr. Pels’s professional journey, he has experienced the rapidly evolving landscape of environmental regulation. He has witnessed regulatory requirements become increasingly complex and sophisticated, with businesses now recognizing compliance as integral to profitability and brand reputation. The rise of technology, including social media and drones, has also heightened the need for transparency and accuracy in environmental reporting.

A leader within the Texas environmental legal community for over four decades, Mr. Pels has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA since 2004 and The Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law since 2006. He was also listed among Houstonian Magazine’s Top 100 Registered Business Leaders & Professionals in 2017 and has been recognized as a Law Dragon Leader in Environmental Law, and among Law Dragon’s 500 Leading Energy Lawyers since 2023. Early on, Mr. Pels was also inducted into the Order of the Coif upon graduation from Vanderbilt University.

Mr. Pels attributes his success to a rigorous work ethic, the steadfast support of his family, and guidance from various mentors. Looking ahead, he aims to strengthen Troutman Pepper Locke’s environmental section by mentoring associates toward partnership roles that ensure long-term success for the firm’s Houston office. Following retirement from active practice, Mr. Pels plans to focus on educating members of the judiciary about identifying and adjudicating spousal abuse cases, including those involving divorce or child custody, reflecting both professional dedication and personal motivation.