Adams and Reese LLP recently expanded the OSHA regulatory services that it offers to its clients by hiring two lawyers who have more than 25 years of combined experience in OSHA regulatory work as John Surma and Collin Warren join the firm’s Houston office.

“We are pleased to add John and Collin who are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in OSHA regulations and compliance, and they will serve as valuable resources to many of our clients,” said Chris Derden, Partner in Charge of the firm’s Houston office. “John and Collin have substantial experience on both the national and state levels, advising oil and gas companies and energy corporations, refiners, chemical companies, construction companies and contractors on OSHA regulations and litigation work.”

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA, is an agency of the United States Department of Labor that serves as the watchdog group that sets safety and health standards for American workers. OSHA attorneys work with businesses to maintain regulatory compliance with these standards and to provide guidance and counsel and, in some cases, serve as resources in litigation arising from workplace incidents.

In addition to helping companies with regulatory compliance in front of the U.S. Department of Labor, Surma and Warren have experience with various state OSHA programs, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the United States Chemical Safety Board.  Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Surma and Warren practiced law in the Houston office of the international and business litigation law firm of Sedgwick.

Practicing law since 1995, Surma also is experienced in personal injury litigation, product liability litigation, construction defect litigation and contract disputes. He is admitted to practice in both Texas and Wisconsin and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. In Texas, he practices in front of all Texas State Courts, the Southern District Federal Court of Texas and the Eastern District Federal Court of Texas. In Wisconsin, he is licensed to appear before the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, all Wisconsin Circuit Courts and the Eastern and Western District Federal Courts.

Surma is an active member of the Defense Research Institute and the Texas Association of Defense Counsel.

He earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1994 and received his B.S., summa cum laude, from University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1992.

Practicing law since 2001, Warren has served as trial counsel in state and federal cases involving insurance coverage disputes, personal injury, product liability claims, construction defects, admiralty claims, insurance bad faith claims, and workers’ compensation and non-subscriber claims. He also provides insurance coverage analysis for clients in the insurance industry, with a strong focus on the energy sector and commercial losses.

In the community, Warren previously served on the board of directors of the Jefferson County Young Lawyers’ Association, is involved with Camp for All, and works with various local churches.

Warren received his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2001 and earned his B.S. from Texas A&M University in 1998.

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