Environmental Law and litigation

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Enforcement Actions

  • Representing major industrial clients involved at federal Superfund sites, including the Middlefield-Ellis-Whisman Site in Mountain View, California and the San Fernando Valley Superfund Sites and San Gabriel Valley Superfund Sites in Southern California
  • Representing clients at sites where EPA has focused on vapor intrusion (Mountain View) and chromium (San Fernando Valley) as well as numerous locations involving petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds=
  • Representing a major industrial client involved in the Rancho Cordova Superfund Sites in Sacramento County, California
  • Representing numerous manufacturers in the Silicon Valley regarding cleanup claims brought by the Regional Water Quality Control Board
  • Defended a Fortune 100 company in a lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice and EPA alleging unpermitted discharges to waters of the United States. The government initially sought $80 million in penalties and injunctive relief. We were able to settle the matter for a civil penalty of $300,000.
  • Defended a lead and asbestos abatement firm from charges alleging illegal discharges to San Francisco Bay. Avoided criminal charges and settled the civil case on favorable terms.
  • Represented a site owner in defending a potential abatement order from the Regional Water Quality Control Board with regard to MTBE contamination
  • Acted as common counsel for 60 private and governmental entities who were identified as potentially responsible parties ("PRPs") at the Gibson Environmental Superfund Site in Bakersfield, California where the California Department of Toxic Substances Control was the lead enforcement agency. The representation included all aspect of coordinating remediation as well as cost recovery against over 1,000 parties
  • Representing a Fortune 500 technology company with respect to three Superfund sites in Silicon Valley, including negotiations with regulatory agencies concerning investigation, remediation, risk assessment and vapor intrusion issues, and in cost recovery litigation with other responsible parties
  • Represented defendants in Polanco Act litigation, including trial and appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, concerning petroleum and metals contamination in Stockton
  • Represented a potential target of a federal criminal enforcement action by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Justice for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act