Intro
Chris has 20 years of experience representing public agency and private sector clients in land use and environmental matters and has broad experience counseling public agencies. Chris has advised clients regarding entitlement applications, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), environmental investigation and remediation, and a broad range of state and federal environmental laws. In addition, he is an experienced litigator and has represented clients in complex land use and environmental disputes.
Previously, Chris served as a City Attorney where he provided advice on the full range of legal issues facing public entities. Chris worked on complex land use issues and provided strategic advice that led to favorable settlements of land use and tax disputes. In addition, he led sensitive internal investigations regarding governance and personnel matters.
As a litigator, Chris has experience ranging from land use ligation to high-profile environmental matters. He has litigated cases involving state housing laws, CEQA, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, California air, water quality, and toxic chemical regulations, Proposition 65, CERCLA, the Endangered Species Act, and real property and contract disputes. Chris also has extensive experience advising clients regarding the cleanup of contaminated properties, including disputes with regulators, adjacent property owners, and other responsible parties.
Education
Admissions and Courts
Represented chemical manufacturer in Clean Air Act rulemaking procedure and in judicial review of hazardous air pollutant emission standards.
Represented federal contractor in False Claim Act and related matters arising from Superfund site remediation.
Represented food manufacturer in connection with regulatory investigations and private party litigation following a release of anhydrous ammonia from refrigeration system.
Provided legal and strategic advice to chemical manufacturer in connection with the remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL) at Superfund site under U.S. EPA supervision.
California League of Cities Legal Advocacy Committee, Committee Member/Executive Committee Member (2021 – 2023)
Law Clerk to the Honorable Marilyn Hall Patel, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
“New Truck Emission Rules Offer Advantages and Obstacles,” author, Law360 (August 2016)
“The First Stage in Bringing Volkswagen to Justice?,” co-author, Daily Journal (January 2016)
“Criminal Case Against VW is Enticing, Despite Hurdles,” co-author, Daily Journal (October 2015)
“California's Climate Change Adaptation Strategy: Is CEQA a Good Fit?,” author, Westlaw Journal/Environmental (September 2015)
“Double Whammy for Fuel Suppliers,” co-author, Daily Journal (December 2014)
“DTSC Work Plan Signals Expanded Green Chemistry Program,” co-author, Law360 (October 2014)
“A Case for Objectivity in Internal Investigations — Lessons Learned from GM,” co-author, Corporate Counsel (May 2014)
“EPA Knows Which Way the Wind Blows,” co-author, Daily Journal (May 2014)
“Chemical Spills in NC and WV Spur Legislation,” Today’s Facility Manager, co-author (March 2014)
“Frac Sites Facing Increased Scrutiny,” co-author, American Oil & Gas Reporter (January 2014)
“Why Exxon Case Will Likely Become a Plaintiff Favorite,” co-author, Law360 (November 2013)
“A Powerful New Tool for Brownfield Cleanup,” co-author, Daily Journal (October, 2013)
“Congress Missing in Action as Courts Back Clean Air Act Curbs on Emissions, World Climate Change Report,” co-author, World Climate Change Report (August 2012)
“Your iPod Is Safe, But…A Preliminary Assessment of the Supreme Court’s Grokster Decision,” author, J. Internet Law (August 2005)
“Note, The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same: Copyright, Digital Technology, and Social Norms,” 56 Stan. L. Rev. 531 (2003)
Book Review: “Acting for Endangered Species: A Statutory Ark,” By Shannon Petersen, 22 Stan. Envtl. L.J. 203 (2003)
"Sustainable Cities: Drafting Ordinances with Environmental Goals in Mind," presenter, International Municipal Lawyers Association Annual Conference (September 2023)