George W. House

George W. House

Greensboro, NC recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1989
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

63 Best Lawyers awards

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Environmental Law Litigation - Environmental Mining Law Natural Resources Law Water Law

Biography

George House has worked in every area of environmental law and litigation since the birth of the practice in the 1970s. A seasoned environmental litigator, George represents his clients on matters related to mining law, water law, air compliance, and hazardous waste.

George has experience in virtually every area of environmental law and focuses his practice on matters related to mining law, water law, hazardous waste and substances, and air compliance. He represents a multitude of clients, including textile manufacturing companies, furniture manufacturing companies, foundries, mining companies, integrated forest products, producing and manufacturing companies, real estate developers, metallurgical companies, oil products distribution companies, communication companies, and a large number of municipal governments.

George has extensive litigation experience before administrative hearing offices, judges, juries, and appellate courts. His experience includes: successfully obtaining permits based upon complex Environmental Impact Statements; the finalization of innovative agreements for the cleanup of contaminated properties; the litigation to favorable judgment of CERCLA cost recovery cases; the successful litigation of several major insurance coverage cases; the resolution of air permitting issues in numerous states; and the defense and favorable resolution of major Clean Water Act citizen suits.

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

63 Best Lawyers awards

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP logo

Overview

  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 1972
  • Davidson College, BA, graduated 1969

  • North Carolina, United States
  • Virginia, United States

  • Greensboro Science Center - Board of Directors
  • Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute - Board of Directors

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 11th Circuits
  • North Carolina, United States
  • Virginia, United States
  • Greensboro Science Center - Board of Directors
  • Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute - Board of Directors
  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 1972
  • Davidson College, BA, graduated 1969
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 11th Circuits

Client Testimonials

George House is persistent and a good negotiator. He has excellent value and gets results.

George House is incredibly knowledgeable in federal Environmental Law and litigation. He is easy to work with.

Calvin Peck (Village of Bald Head Island)

Bald head island, NC

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Environmental Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Environmental Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Environmental Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Litigation - Environmental Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2011 - Environmental Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Environmental Law, Triad (2025)
  • Litigation - Environmental, Triad (2025)
  • Environmental Law, Greensboro (2014)
  • Litigation - Environmental, Greensboro (2012)
  • Environmental Law, Greensboro (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Environmental Law
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Mining Law
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Water Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Corporate Law
  • Construction Law
  • Real Estate Law
Special Focus:
  • Clean Water Act
  • COVID-19
  • Mining
  • RCRA/Hazardous Waste
Awards:
  • Recognized as a "2018 Power Player," by Triad Business Journal
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in Environmental Law (Triad "Lawyer of the Year" 2025), Natural Resources Law, Water Law, Litigation – Environmental (Triad "Lawyer of the Year" 2025) and Mining Law (1989-2025)

  • Recognized by his peers for inclusion in Business North Carolina Magazine’s “Legal Elite” in Real Estate Law (2024), Litigation (2005), and Environmental and Natural Resources Law (2002-2004); also permanently recognized in the "Legal Elite Hall of Fame" for Environmental Law
  • Recognized by North Carolina Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) in Environmental Litigation (2006-2021); Top 100 (2007-2008)
  • Recognized by Super Lawyers Business Edition for Environmental Litigation (2015)
  • Recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business in Environmental Law (2004-2025)
  • Received the 2013 Ed Kitchen Award from Downtown Greensboro Inc. for Community Service and Leadership
  • Served as Captain, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (1969-1976) and was awarded an MSM

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