Nossaman LLP attracts a spread of public agencies, publicly regulated utilities companies, corporations and non-profit organisations for its ability to handle the gamut of environmental disputes and litigation work, including hazardous waste, air quality, natural resource damages and endangered species. The group is co-led by Irvine’s Ben Rubin, who navigates land use issues and Los Angeles’ Alfred Smith II, who is an expert in water rights law. The Irvine office fields Paul Weiland, who deals with construction claims and disputes litigation and Robert Thornton, who is a name to note for environmental issues arising from infrastructure projects. Brooke Marcus, of the Austin office, is also noteworthy for her practice, which encompasses both natural resources and land use law.
Key clients
- State of Maine Department of Marine Resources
- California Farm Bureau and farming interests
Work highlights
- Represented the Maine Department of Marine Resources in an ESA dispute where the DC Circuit panel shot down a biological opinion supporting lobster fishery restrictions enacted to safeguard right whales.
- Represented Northwest Clean Air Agency in negotiating a civil enforcement settlement, executed in January 2023, resulting in a $4 million civil penalty, the largest fine the agency has ever imposed.