Rich Bulger brings more than three decades of experience at the forefront of environmental, mass tort, and toxic tort law to his role as Partner and Co-Chair of Jenner & Block’s Mass Torts and Product Liability Practice and Environmental and Workplace Health and Safety Practice. He represents clients across the chemical, energy, utility, and industrial sectors in high-stakes litigation, regulatory investigations, and multi-forum disputes.
Rich has successfully represented companies in some of the nation’s most consequential and complex mass torts and environmental cases. Since 2017, Rich has served as national counsel and global liaison counsel for a chemical manufacturer in thousands of environmental and products liability claims in state and federal courts nationwide. These cases, brought by individuals, municipalities, and states alleging groundwater contamination and personal injury as individual claims, include consolidated proceedings and class actions. His litigation practice spans trial and appellate courts across the country, including the US Supreme Court. He also counsels clients on environmental compliance issues and in corporate and real estate transactions, including brownfield redevelopment strategy.
Rich is known for his pragmatic and collaborative problem-solving, regulatory knowledge, and tort litigation experience. He helps clients navigate crisis response, compliance with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA, and long-term liability management.
Before joining Jenner & Block, Rich co-led the Environmental Action Group at another Am Law 100 firm and worked with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. He holds a JD from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law from Lewis & Clark Law School, and a BA from DePauw University. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and before multiple federal courts, including the US Supreme Court.
A seasoned litigator and strategic advisor, clients trust Rich to guide them through complex and high-stakes regulatory and litigation challenges.
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Rich Bulger brings more than three decades of experience at the forefront of environmental, mass tort, and toxic tort law to his role as Partner and Co-Chair of Jenner & Block’s Mass Torts and Product Liability Practice and Environmental and Workplace Health and Safety Practice. He represents clients across the chemical, energy, utility, and industrial sectors in high-stakes litigation, regulatory investigations, and multi-forum disputes.
Rich has successfully represented companies in some of the nation’s most consequential and complex mass torts and environmental cases. Since 2017, Rich has served as national counsel and global liaison counsel for a chemical manufacturer in thousands of environmental and products liability claims in state and federal courts nationwide. These cases, brought by individuals, municipalities, and states alleging groundwater contamination and personal injury as individual claims, include consolidated proceedings and class actions. His litigation practice spans trial and appellate courts across the country, including the US Supreme Court. He also counsels clients on environmental compliance issues and in corporate and real estate transactions, including brownfield redevelopment strategy.
Rich is known for his pragmatic and collaborative problem-solving, regulatory knowledge, and tort litigation experience. He helps clients navigate crisis response, compliance with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA, and long-term liability management.
Before joining Jenner & Block, Rich co-led the Environmental Action Group at another Am Law 100 firm and worked with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. He holds a JD from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law from Lewis & Clark Law School, and a BA from DePauw University. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and before multiple federal courts, including the US Supreme Court.
A seasoned litigator and strategic advisor, clients trust Rich to guide them through complex and high-stakes regulatory and litigation challenges.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Admissions
- Illinois
Education
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, JD
- Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource
- DePauw University, BA
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois
Service / Recognition
Awards
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2026
- Leading Lawyers Network, Environmental Law, 2010
- The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Environmental, 2010, 2026
Industry
- Member, Illinois Bar Association, and Council Member, Environmental Section
- Environmental Law Institute