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Description of Practice:
Sandi Nichols practices in the areas of environmental, natural resources and land use counseling and litigation, primarily handling litigation under the federal Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). She has handled all phases of litigation from discovery through mediation, trial and appeal in state and federal court cases relating to contaminated soil, sediments, groundwater and surface waters, resulting from petroleum, chemical use and disposal, battery reclamation activities and industrial port-related activities. She has also handled indoor air quality litigation and environmental insurance coverage matters. Sandi also assists in the preparation of negative declarations and environmental impact reports, and represents clients in litigation under CEQA. She has litigated eminent domain actions and title and boundary disputes. Sandi has counseled lenders and fiduciaries on environmental matters, including the development and implementation of environmental policies, and management of environmentally-impaired trust and estate assets and real property security.
Prior to joining Allen Matkins in 2007, Sandi was the Managing Partner of the California Offices of Stoel Rives LLP (2001-2006). She began her legal career with Washburn, Briscoe & McCarthy in 1981 and was its Managing Shareholder from 1996 until the merger with Stoel Rives in 2001.
Honors and Awards:
Northern California Super Lawyers, Environmental Law (2004-2007), Martindale-Hubbell A-V Rating; Stanford University Mediation Certificate (1994); Who’s Who in American Law; Who's Who of Emerging Leaders of America.
Professional Activities/Memberships:
Member, State Bar of California, Sections on Litigation, Environment and Real Property; member, American Bar Association, Section on Natural Resources, Energy and Environment; member, Bar Association of San Francisco, Environment and Water Section; member, Queen’s Bench; member, Association of Environmental Professionals; member, Groundwater Resources Association.
Community Activities:
Attorney-coach, Menlo School, National Mock Trial Competition; mentor, Hastings College of the Law Mentor Program; member/chair, Crocker School Site Council, Crocker Middle School, Hillsborough, CA (1999-2001); trustee, The Carey School, San Mateo, CA (1995-98); AYSO soccer coach, Burlingame, CA (1990-97); president, Carey School Parents Association (1994-95).
Representative Matters and Cases:
Represent private and public entities in defense of citizen-suit litigation brought for alleged discharges, effluent limitations violations, reporting, and monitoring violations under the federal Clean Water Act. Published decisions include San Francisco BayKeeper v. Cargill Salt 481 F.3d 700 (9th Cir. 2007); San Francisco BayKeeper v. Tosco Corporation, 309 F.3d 1153 (9th Cir. 2002), cert. dismissed 539 U.S. 924 (2004); San Francisco BayKeeper v. Tosco Corp., 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1164 (N.D. Cal. 2001); ,Communities for a Better Env’t v. Tosco Refining Company, et al., 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1161 (N.D. Cal. 2001); San Francisco BayKeeper v. Cargill Salt, 263 F.3d 963 (9th Cir. 2001); San Francisco BayKeeper v. Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District, 36 F. Supp. 2d 1214 (E.D. Cal. 1999).
Represent large oil company in defending cost recovery actions in Northern California relating to petroleum, hydrocarbon and other soil and groundwater contamination relating to former service station operations. Participant in many mediations of such disputes.
Represent ports, oil companies, commercial landlords, property managers and large landowners in negotiations, litigation and remediation activities relating to the contamination of real property and marine sediments by hazardous substances, including metals, PCBs, chlorinated solvents and petroleum. Work closely with environmental consultants in the various phases of investigation, development of feasibility studies, work plans, remedial actions and reports. Interface with local and state regulatory agencies in investigation, clean-up and development of real property.
Represent commercial landlords and tenants in indoor air quality matters stemming from heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVACs), mold, off-gassing of new and remodeled building interiors and related problems. Work closely with certified industrial hygienists to investigate and respond to situations.
Represent and counsel major financial institutions regarding the administration of trusts and estates that include environmentally-impaired real property, including the investigation, leasing, sale and remediation of such property.
Represent corporate and individual insureds in obtaining insurance coverage for defense and indemnity of environmental claims and suits.
Land use and real estate matters and litigation:
Represent residential, commercial, and industrial developers in the development and defense of environmental impact reports (EIRs) and negative declarations prepared under CEQA. Handle administrative writ trials and appeals, including San Joaquin Raptor/Wildlife Rescue Center v. County of Stanislaus, et al. (1994) 27 Cal.App.4th 713.
Represent landowners in eminent domain proceedings, including negotiations to obtain or defend "highest and best use" value for permanent and temporary taking of real property in California. Work closely with professional appraisers.
Filed amicus brief in support of condemnee regarding calculation of interest rates in eminent domain actions resulting in a favorable opinion from the California Supreme Court in Redevelopment Agency of Burbank v. Gilmore (1985) 38 Cal.3d 790.
Represent commercial and residential landowners, purchasers, and sellers in litigation relating to claims for breach of contract, fraud, negligence and related claims concerning the condition, use and boundaries of real property.
Represented title insurance company in actions related to title to real property and the handling of escrows and foreclosures, including Hatch v. Collins, et al. (1990) 225 Cal.App.3d 1104.
Educational History:
Sandi received her B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1978. She received her J.D. from U.C. Hastings College of the Law in 1981. While at U.C. Hastings, she served as the Associate Research Editor for COMM/ENT Law Journal (1980-81) and as a Teaching Assistant for Criminal Law (1979-80). Sandi was also a recipient of the U.C. Newhouse, U.C. Towne, and 1066 Foundation Scholarships. |
