James J. Connors

Dr. James J. Connors

Nationwide Practice in Hydrology and Environmental Science
jjc@jamesjconnors.com
Mobile, AL 36604
Office: 251-648-0610
Introduction

Dr. James J. Connors is a Professional Hydrologist (P.H.), certified by the American Institute of Hydrology, and a licensed Professional Geoscientist (P.G.). For more than 38 years, he has worked on projects and legal cases involving groundwater, surface water, stormwater runoff, and environmental contamination. His career includes extensive bodies of work as an award-winning academic, a private-sector consultant, and an testifying and consulting expert witness.

Since the mid-1980s, Dr. Connors has performed environmental and hydrological consulting projects in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and New Zealand. He has taught university-level hydrology, hydrogeology, geophysics, geology, and environmental science courses, and has been designated as an expert witness in more than 50 legal cases in 12 states (in both local and federal courts).

Dr. Connors’ current practice focuses on:
• Groundwater, soil, sediment, and surface-water contamination, including PFAS, PCBs, VOCs, metals, radiation, and other contaminants;
• Stormwater runoff and associated flooding, erosion, sediment transport, and sediment deposition, including construction site ESC (erosion and sediment control) and stormwater issues related to development and land-use changes; and
• General hydrology, including water-supply, watersheds and wetlands hydrology, oilfield fluid releases, natural drainage determinations, hydrology-related accidents, contract and terminology disputes, and coastal/fluvial flow dynamics.

Contact information:
Dr. James J. Connors
Website: https://www.jamesjconnors.com
Email: jjc@jamesjconnors.com

Addresses: 1100-C Dauphin Street, Mobile AL 36604
2950 North Loop West, Suite 500, Houston TX 77092

Phone:
251-648-0610 (Mobile AL)
713-714-6511 (Houston TX)


Areas of Expertise
  • Environmental
  • Geology
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Hydrology & Groundwater
  • Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
  • Pollution
  • Soil

Expert Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: DEGREES:
B.S. Geology, University of South Alabama
M.S. Geology, University of Alabama, Thesis research: Structural geology, southern Appalachians
Ph.D. Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Doctoral research: Groundwater contaminant transport/discharge to coastal ocean

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:
Professional Hydrologist, American Institute of Hydrology, No. 23H05014
Professional Geologist, State of Alabama, No. 1468
Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, No. 40130
Professional Geoscientist, State of Louisiana, No. 80
Registered Professional Geologist, State of Mississippi, No. 941
Professional Geologist, State of New York, No. 311
Professional Geoscientist, State of Texas, No. 4065
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: AWARDS & HONORS:
2013 - Named one of the "50 Outstanding Faculty Members" in the history of the University of South Alabama
2013 - Presented the "Semoon Chang Endowed Humanitarian Service Award" by the University of South Alabama Faculty Senate and National Alumni Association
2013 - Named "Principal Emeritus" by the partners of Eco-Systems, Inc.
2011, 2012 - Received three "Top Prof" awards from the University of South Alabama Chapter of Mortar Board
2011 - President of the University of South Alabama Chapter of the Sigma Xi scientific research honor society
2011 - Presented the University of South Alabama College of Arts and Sciences "Outstanding Service Award"
2010 - Named "Faculty Member of the Year" by the University of South Alabama Student Government Association
2010 - Elected President of the University of South Alabama Faculty Senate
2009 - Named "Faculty Member of the Year" by the University of South Alabama Student Government Association
2009 - Inducted into the Sigma Xi scientific research honor society
2007 - Elected President of the Southwest Alabama Geological Society
2007 - Presented the University of South Alabama College of Arts and Sciences "Teaching Excellence Award"
1992 - Presented the "Eugene B. Waggoner Most Outstanding Young Professional Award" by Woodward-Clyde Consultants
1983 - Inducted into Sigma Gamma Epsilon national honor society for the Earth sciences

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Life Member - Geological Society of America - Professional Development Committee (Past Chair), Membership and Fellowship Committee
Member - New Orleans Geological Society
Life Member - Sigma Gamma Epsilon national honor society for the Earth sciences
Member - Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Honor Society
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: UNIVERSITY-LEVEL COURSES/SEMINARS TAUGHT:
Hydrology, graduate and undergraduate levels
Contaminant Hydrology/Hydrogeology, graduate and undergraduate levels
Geophysics (surface and environmental), undergraduate level
Geology Field School, undergraduate level
Physical Geology & Lab, undergraduate level
Earth History & Lab, undergraduate level
Various graduate and undergraduate seminars and directed studies courses (water-supply hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, mathematics in hydrogeology, professional ethics and practice for geologists, interdisciplinary research, Thesis research
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No.
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: I have been designated as an expert witness in 46 cases. These have been in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and New Zealand, in various state and federal courts. In addition, he has acted as a paid consultant in legal cases in Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Hydrogeology (dealing with groundwater contamination sources, timing, fate, and transport)
Hydrology (dealing with surface-water contamination, stormwater runoff, erosion & sedimentation, wetlands hydrology, flooding, surface-water flow, and terminology)
Environmental Science (dealing with surface-water and groundwater contamination and associated environmental impacts)
Environmental Contracting (dealing with expected conditions at a contamination cleanup site)
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: About 50%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: About 50%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 19 times.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: September 2023
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: I have given sworn testimony (and been cross examined) at trial, in hearings, and/ arbitration a total of 9 times. 6 times at trial, 2 in hearings, and 1 time in a ICDR/AAA arbitration.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: I have given sworn testimony (and been cross examined) at trial, in hearings, and/ arbitration a total of 9 times. 6 times at trial, 2 in hearings, and 1 time in a ICDR/AAA arbitration.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 38
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: File reviews
Expert reports and opinions
Peer review of opposing experts
Depositions
Consulting, technical advice
Site inspections
Technical research
Technical assistance with Daubert and other motions
Sampling and testing
Computer modeling
Demonstrative evidence
Calculations
Drone reconnaissance of sites
Testimony
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $250 (initial consultation is free)
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $250, 4 hours minimum
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $350, 4 hours minimum
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $350, 4 hours minimum
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Out-of-pocket expenses are billed at cost plus 0%.
Travel is negotiable. If billed, I use a flat day rate ($1,600/day), plus expenses.
Invoices are emailed monthly and payment is due within 30 days. Direct and credit card payments are accepted with a handling fee.
I generally do not require a retainer. Estimates and lump-sum billing are available.


References

George Finkbohner III
gwf@cunninghambounds.com
https://www.cunninghambounds.com/legal-team/george-w-finkbohner-iii/
(251) 299-0101

Charles Miller
chuck@clmillerlaw.com
https://mobilebarassociation.com/members/?id=60941610
(251) 463-5421

Jene Owens
jwo@jwopc.com
https://www.facebook.com/reputable.attorney/
(251) 378-8601

Gregory Vaughan
gev@holstonvaughan.com
https://www.holstonvaughan.com/gregory-e-vaughan.html
(251) 432-8883

Todd Crawford
tcrawford@lawla.com
https://www.lawla.com/attorneys/todd-crawford/
(228) 206-0033