California Environmental Practice
Overview
California presents a unique regulatory environment. The implementation and enforcement of most federal environmental statutes have been delegated to the states, and California regularly adopts laws and requirements that go beyond federal requirements. There are hundreds of agencies throughout the State that regulate every aspect of environmental, climate, and land use activity. To operate successfully in California, companies must have sophisticated local counsel who understand how to navigate this complex environment.
We combine legal acumen with practical insight, leveraging strong relationships that have spanned years across state, federal, and local agencies — including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California regulatory bodies in addition to the U.S. Department of Justice and California Attorney General. Our experience representing industry, governments, NGOs, and community stakeholders enables us to foster collaboration, resolve disputes, and protect your interests at every stage.
Regulatory/Litigation
- Chemicals and hazardous waste
- Air and water permits
- Contaminated properties
- Prop 65
- Climate disclosure laws
- Compliance risk assessments
Land Use
- Development projects of all kinds
- Energy projects
- Space companies
- Data centers
- Coastal zone and SF Bay
- New housing laws
- CEQA
Investigations
- Government-led investigations (federal, state, and local)
- Internal investigations
- Crisis management and disaster response
- 3/P audits and monitorships
Contacts
Representative Matters
Representative Engagements
- Successfully resolved threatened enforcement action by Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board against major landowner regarding investigation and cleanup of large PCE plume in Marin County.
- Represent owner of multifamily development in negotiations with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) over ongoing management of underground contamination at site.
- Representing a green bank in litigation to recover over $200 million in unlawfully seized federal grant funding designated for clean energy programs.
- Representing manufacturing clients against DOE allegations of violating energy conservation standards under the Energy Policy Conservation Act.
- Negotiated agreement with former landowner over liability and management of pre-existing underground contamination at multifamily development in San Diego County.
- Represented the largest multifamily complex in Los Angeles with respect to management and cleanup of natural discharges of tar from underground sources.
- Represent landowner in multi-year, multi-party negotiation over the investigation and cleanup of contamination at the Yosemite Slough CERCLA site in San Francisco.
- Represent developer in “brownfields” cleanup and development of former SMUD property in Sacramento.
- Represented gun range in San Francisco with respect to investigation and cleanup of lead contamination and ongoing permitting issues.
