Chris Baird is a partner at Headwaters Law Group, where he focuses on the most complex environmental issues. His work ranges from multi-party contaminated site litigation to high-stakes enforcement cases. He’s been involved in some of the most challenging cases in the country, like the 21-day federal bench trial for the Kalamazoo River, where he defended Weyerhaeuser Company. With dozens of experts and hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, Chris’s expertise made a huge difference.
Chris also helps clients facing serious penalties under federal environmental laws like the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). He’s negotiated agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice and represented a petroleum refinery* during a long federal investigation into compliance issues.
In addition to litigation, Chris advises clients on how to manage risks from hazardous substance releases. He helps them create smart strategies to cut down on costs and reduce exposure to environmental damage claims. Chris is also a trained mediator, stepping in to help settle environmental and commercial disputes. He’s even served as an expert witness in cases about contaminated property valuation.
Chris’s work spans a range of clients, from individuals to big-name corporations, and he’s known for his active pro bono work.
He won a 2016 Pro Bono award from the Innocence Project Northwest for getting a new trial for a client wrongfully imprisoned for over eight years.
Recognition
Dive into some of the awards, education, and milestones that Chris has achieved.
“Lawyer of the Year”
Litigation – Environmental (Seattle) by Best Lawyers in America (2021 & 2024)
Best Lawyers in America
Environmental Law (Seattle) (2015 – 2024)
Washington Rising Star
Washington Law and Politics (2012, 2016, & 2017)
Before starting Corvid Law PLLC, which is now Headwaters Law Group, Chris was a partner at Perkins Coie LLP in Seattle. He earned his J.D. from Duke University School of Law, his M.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University, and his A.B. in Environmental Studies from the University of Chicago.
Chris’s commitment to community service is clear from his roles on the boards of the RAVE Foundation, the Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA), and the Rainier Valley Food Bank. He’s licensed to practice law in Washington.
Under the Surface
We are all people outside of our jobs. Here’s a look into what Chris is like in his off time.
Perhaps unsurprising for a guy that works at a firm called Headwaters, Chris enjoys just about everything that involves mountains or water, or ideally both. He is an avid skier, paddler, and thrower of sticks for his dog. He also enjoys just about everything to do with soccer, from coaching little kids, watching soccer at all levels, and singing himself hoarse at Sounders games.