PFAS: Solutions to an Unsolvable Problem

​PANEL DESCRIPTION

​PFAS are persistent chemicals widely used in industrial, commercial, and consumer products, earning the label “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to degradation. This panel will examine the scientific challenges posed by PFAS contamination, including detection, toxicity, and long-term environmental and public health impacts. Panelists will explore the evolving legal and regulatory responses to PFAS at the federal and state levels, including drinking water standards, hazardous substance designations, liability frameworks, and emerging litigation.

​Moderated by Kaya Johnson.

​ANNEMIEKE TENNIS

​Annemieke works on behalf of plaintiffs in pharmaceutical and complex litigation primarily concentrated in the areas of consumer fraud, antitrust and products liability. Currently, Annemieke is part of the Kanner & Whiteley team representing several government and business entities in their respective cases against opioid drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies.

​Annemieke earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation Biology and Landscape Ecology with a minor in Biology from the University of Miami. She continued her education with advanced course work at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in Geographic Information Systems. 

​She graduated from Loyola University College of Law, where she earned a Certificate in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship focusing on intellectual property and business law. While in law school, Annemieke participated in the Loyola Entrepreneurship Project aimed at community outreach and advising local start-ups on a variety of legal issues. 

​Annemieke is a member of the State Bar of Louisiana and is licensed to practice in the Louisiana State Courts, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and has been admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

​F. BRYAN BRICE

​Franklin Bryan Brice, Jr., a Wilson, North Carolina native, is widely recognized as one of North Carolina’s leading environmental attorneys. While he practices across multiple areas, Bryan has developed a strong passion for environmental law, particularly in land use, regulatory compliance, and toxic tort litigation. Bryan is equally known for his empathy, integrity, and genuine care for the people he serves. His clients and colleagues often describe him as someone who listens deeply, advocates fiercely, and approaches every case with both legal precision and heartfelt understanding. His work reflects not only professional dedication but also personal values. 

​Outside the office, Bryan enjoys tennis, live music, and spending time outdoors with his family. He and his wife Carson, both UNC alumni, are parents to three college-aged children attending UNC Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University, and the University of South Carolina—making for a lively household full of school spirit and friendly rivalry. Bryan often jokes that no matter where his kids go, they were raised on Tar Heel basketball and Franklin Street strolls—so deep down, they know who the real alma mater is. The Brice family are also active members of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, where they find community, spiritual connection, and opportunities to serve. 

​F. Bryan Brice, Jr., earned his B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1985. He received his J.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Law in 1990. 

​Bryan’s legal career began with a clerkship for Justice John Webb at the North Carolina Supreme Court. He then served as a staff attorney at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C., followed by a role in the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Transportation Section, where he handled environmental matters for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. In 1999, Bryan entered private practice, where he continues to focus on environmental law and related areas. 

​In recognition of his exceptional work in environmental law, Bryan was named to Business North Carolina Magazine’s 2025 Legal Elite, an honor awarded through peer nomination to top attorneys across the state.