JOEL BURCAT NEWSLETTER

As a practicing environmental lawyer, Joel Burcat writes environmental legal thrillers that are both electrifying and accurate. His published shorter works range from thrillers about “the best beer I’ve ever had” to a middle-aged lawyer running off to Italy, jeopardizing the lives and careers of his young associates.

Burcat’s writings explore many facets of life, although he has a true fascination with unexpected twists. His characters’ reasons for doing things are as important as their actions. From the person lying in bed next to you to psychopathic strip mine operators, each has an underlying motive to be explored and revealed.

Burcat has completed five novels. Three of them are environmental legal thrillers, DRINK TO EVERY BEAST, AMID RAGE, STRANGE FIRE. DRINK TO EVERY BEAST, AMID RAGE, and STRANGE FIRE published by Headline Books are available at bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble in paperback and electronic formats.

In addition to his fiction, Joel has edited the two pre-eminent books on environmental and oil and gas law in Pennsylvania, both of which have received international awards. He edited (along with Terry Bossert), seven editions of PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & PRACTICE (Pa. Bar Institute Press). In 1999, the second edition won the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Best Publication Category in the annual contest sponsored by the International Association for Continuing Legal Education.

He also edited (along with Steven Saunders) the first two editions of THE LAW OF OIL AND GAS IN PENNSYLVANIA (Pa. Bar Institute Press). In 2015, the first edition won the Award of Outstanding Achievement in Publications in the annual contest sponsored by the International Association for Continuing Legal Education.

Burcat grew up in Philadelphia. He has two grown daughters, a son-in-law, and two grandchildren. He lives with his wife in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the place that provides the setting for many of his stories.