Harry H. Kelso, Esq., PLLC
Attorney at Law and Expert Witness
Government Facility and Military Base Communities
Assisting companies, states, communities and citizens with the challenge of closing, closed, or potentially closing military installations – federal government plant closures – and their reuse.
Research Specialty: U.S. military bases, industrial facilities & civilian govt. agencies since Civil War: land use, cleanup, energy, utilities, public health and safety
Services
- Legal counsel
- Expert Witness
- Archival Research Expert
- Expert on federal and state administrative agencies
Harry H. Kelso provides specialized services in environmental litigation, assisting large law firms and private industries, including those contracting with the U.S. military. Our work spans interactions between the U.S. government, state and local governments, and private sectors, focusing on environmental law, historical land use, and regulatory compliance. He also handles environmental cleanup, redevelopment, and liability, with a focus on government installations. His expertise extends to climate change issues and deep research partnerships with universities and non-profit organizations.
Harry H. Kelso also has fluency with legal history, structure and archival research of federal and state government- and private-industrial organizations, particularly military-related, 19th and 20th Century matters and installations.
Biography
Harry H. Kelso is a lawyer and thought leader with wide experience working with/solving often perpetual conflicts among and between public and private sector clients, including the three branches of federal and state government. One of his ‘fortes’ is quickly identifying and mediating between numerous, necessary parties and issues into a plan by which to obtain resolution of even the most contentious, long-term issues. This also includes expertise in 19th and 20th century governmental history and documentation.
Prior to returning (yet again) from government practice back to private practice, served as Deputy General Counsel (Environment, Energy & Installations) of the Department of Defense, leading a staff of 7 specialty lawyers and working jointly within the 150-lawyer Office of General Counsel, regarding issues concerning domestic and foreign, U.S. military installations, operations, industrial infrastructure and safety, personnel and host communities. Previously, alternated private and public practice crafting mediation-type solutions among private and public entities.
Earned an LL.M. after clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit and the Texas Court of Appeals, 14th District. Educational credentials include Emory University, Georgetown Law School and the Academy of International Law in The Hague, the Netherlands. Accomplished trial attorney and archival government documents consultant.
Experience
Harry H. Kelso has a diverse legal career, focusing on environmental law, industrial regulation, and government relations. He currently runs his private practice, offering counsel on regulatory matters, including environmental cleanup and sustainability, with clients ranging from law firms to defense contractors. He has served as Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Defense, advising on environmental issues, and has held various legal roles in both federal and state government, specializing in litigation, enforcement, and policy development across military and industrial sectors. He has also worked on major Superfund cleanups and renewable energy initiatives.
- Deputy General Counsel (Environment, Energy & Installations), U.S. Department of Defense
- Virginia Director of Environmental Enforcement, Department of Environmental Quality
- Counsel to the Assistant U.S. Attorney General, Environment & Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice
BRAC: The Four-Letter Word That Really Means Base Redevelopment, Advantage and Compensation
Public Management Magazine, July 2004
Military Real Estate Primer & BRAC 2005 Timeline
From Swords To Ploughshares,
L.A. Military Base Swaps Land for Facilities
20th Century Military Cleanup Perspective
Boston Globe
Why isn't the federal government held to the same environmental standards as the private sector?
A Green Tier for greater environmental protection
ARMY Provides Extensive Liability Protection in Agreement with Virginia
Base Reuse Consortium Bulletin
National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Article
When the Polluter is Government
At Former Military Sites, a Hidden Peril
Win-Win Resolutions with DoD (Powerpoint)
1995 Commission
27 Major Closures
0 Realignments
1993 Commission
28 Major Closures
13 Realignments
1991 Commission
26 Major Closures
19 Realignments
1988 Commission
16 Major Closures
11 Realignments