Charles S. "Trey" McCowan III

Trey McCowan represents local, regional, and multinational energy and petrochemical companies in a wide range of complex litigation matters in state and federal courts. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he focuses his practice on Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants. His work frequently involves high-stakes disputes arising from energy development, operations, and environmental issues across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region.

Trey regularly defends legacy oilfield site litigation involving allegations of soil and groundwater contamination, including claims related to Non-Hazardous Oilfield Waste (NOW) and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). These matters often involve inland properties as well as marsh and wetland environments and are brought by individuals and large groups of landowners. Many cases proceed as class actions encompassing hundreds or thousands of potential claimants and properties ranging from small tracts to large, multi-parish areas.

His environmental litigation practice also includes defending claims tied to some of Louisiana’s oldest oil and gas fields, as well as wetlands loss disputes throughout the state’s coastal parishes. Trey’s experience allows him to address both technical environmental allegations and the procedural and evidentiary challenges that accompany large-scale, long-running litigation.

Trey has substantial trial and arbitration experience and has represented clients before state and federal courts, arbitration panels, and administrative bodies. His work includes involvement in published decisions that have influenced the development of energy and environmental law in the region. He approaches each matter with an emphasis on strategic planning, efficient use of client resources, and developing a clear litigation narrative aimed at resolution through trial or negotiated settlement.

In addition to his J.D., Trey holds a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Planning and Management. This background supports his ability to evaluate scientific and technical evidence and to translate complex environmental and engineering concepts for judges, juries, and opposing counsel. Trey is a member of Kean Miller and practices from the firm’s Baton Rouge office.