Environmental

Cooper represents industry, landowners, and developers in administrative proceedings and civil litigation throughout the State of California, and has performed environmental compliance counseling and due diligence investigations for clients nationally.  Cooper attorneys are involved in cutting edge environmental issues including greenhouse gas regulation and CEQA compliance.  Some of our particular areas of environmental expertise include:

• Air & Water Pollution. Our environmental lawyers represent clients in permitting matters, enforcement actions, and various proceedings before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region IX), the California Air Resources Board, the State Water Resources Control Board, regional water quality control boards and various local air quality management districts.
• Hazardous Waste & Materials, Underground Storage Tanks. Our lawyers provide compliance counseling and defend enforcement actions regarding California’s Proposition 65, the handling, storage and labeling of hazardous wastes and materials, and advise clients regarding underground storage tank removal and cleanup requirements.
• Land Use and CEQA. Our lawyers assist clients in proposed development projects and facility expansions such as the implementation of a Clean Fuels Project for a major refining company and the acquisition of rights-of-way for telecommunication companies. They also represent clients before city and county boards and agencies regarding a wide variety of proposed development projects, and in a wide range of entitlement, CEQA and zoning matters.
• Real Property Transfers. Our lawyers counsel clients regarding real property investigations, the development of environmental indemnity language in property transfer agreements, and the environmental implications of mergers and acquisitions of businesses, commercial and industrial property acquisitions, transfers and leases.
• Natural Resources / Wildlife. Our lawyers often represent clients in natural resource damage assessments and state and federal wildlife protection statutes, including wetlands and endangered species issues.
• Emergency Response. Our lawyers have extensive experience in assisting clients in the aftermath of petroleum and hazardous substance releases. They assist with investigations, remediation activities, civil and criminal enforcement proceedings and third party damage claims. They are included on a number of our client’s emergency response teams.