Environmental

Real estate transactions often involve compliance with overlapping federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.

We are experts in the field of environmental impact review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act, having advised on some of the most complex and challenging CEQA matters in California. We also assist clients with the numerous federal and state natural resources laws that apply to projects in California, such as the Clean Water Act, the Porter Cologne Water Quality Control Act, storm water regulation, water recycling, wetlands regulation, and discharge requirements.

We also regularly advise on water rights, land conservation, climate change regulations, mitigation banking, and public trust matters. In addition to land use matters, we assist clients with the purchase, sale, leasing and financing of environmentally impaired properties, which typically involves structuring and managing the environmental risk through indemnity and other contract provisions, pollution insurance policies, and negotiations with regulators (such as various Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As part of this risk management process, we work with many excellent and cost-effective environmental consultants to ensure that our clients comply with hazardous materials laws and regulations, minimize potential liability for hazardous materials’ claims and damages, and take the necessary steps to help mitigate soil, groundwater and air contamination. 

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August 18, 2022

MSR’s Hans Lapping Receives Two Best Lawyers in America© Designations, Named “Lawyer of the Year” – Real Estate Law (Oakland), Nine Other MSR Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers Recognition

Miller Starr Regalia (MSR), a preeminent California real estate law firm for more than 50 years, is pleased to announce that Hans A. Lapping, an AV-rated transactional shareholder, has received two designations in the Best Lawyers in America 2023© edition: he is included in the Real Estate Law list and was selected as the “Lawyer of the Year” in Oakland Real Estate Law. Additionally, nine other MSR attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© -- seven of which have been recognized for at least 10 years. Yalda Vahdani was named 2023 “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in Real Estate Law in San Francisco.