Taft?s Rob Bilott Inspires Major Motion Picture and Authors New Book
Taft Partner Rob Bilott and his leading role in a legal battle with one of the world’s largest corporations has inspired the major motion picture, “Dark Waters.” Bilott also authored the non-fiction book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer’s Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont” that was released earlier this fall.
“Dark Waters” tells the story of Bilott and the Taft team discovering and publicly revealing DuPont’s role in the contamination of drinking water in Parkersburg, West Virginia. PFOA, the man-made, toxic “Forever Chemical” used by DuPont, can now be found in the blood of virtually every living creature on the planet. The film’s star-studded cast includes Oscar® nominee Mark Ruffalo as Bilott and Oscar® winner Anne Hathaway, who plays the role of Bilott’s wife, Sarah Barlage Bilott. Oscar® winner Tim Robbins plays Taft partner Tom Terp.
“Bilott is the real superhero of ‘Dark Waters,’” shares Ruffalo, who is also the film’s lead producer. “After reading The New York Times piece, I reached out to Rob about translating the details behind the exposé into film. This is a powerful story that needs to be told.”
Released in select theaters on Nov. 22, 2019, “Dark Waters” has expanded to other U.S. cities. Check your local listings for show times.
Written by Bilott and published by Atria Books/Simon & Schuster, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer’s Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont,” provides an inside look at Bilott’s personal and professional journey through the litigation that uncovered the global PFOA contamination crisis.
The book has received praise from The New York Times as a “David vs. Goliath tale with a twist” and earned the #1 rankings on Amazon in its legal history, environmental & natural resources law and manufacturing industry sections. “Exposure” is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon.
“PFOA contamination presents a massive, ongoing potential public health threat that many people are still completely unaware of,” states Bilott. “I hope that both the movie and my book will increase awareness and understanding of the true nature and scope of this problem, and finally prompt action to protect public health and the environment.”
Bilott remains actively involved in various legal proceedings across the country relating to PFOA and the related family of PFAS chemicals. He is a frequent speaker nationally and internationally on PFOA and PFAS-related issues, including recent testimony before the U.S. House.