Natural Resources

Natural resources are community assets. From clean water to healthy soil, these resources are vital to our lives, health, and economy.

Oil spills. Toxic waste. Pesticides. These and other chemical contaminants can have devastating and long-lasting economic and health consequences on people and businesses, whether in urban, suburban, or rural communities. Sher Edling has a record of strong trial advocacy and results-oriented settlements for public entities across the country against the corporate and federal government defendants responsible for these types of harms, especially under CERCLA and other environmental enforcement laws. The CERCLA matters arise out of legacy and ambient contamination on or connected to properties impacting soil or groundwater. Some of our recent and ongoing work in this area includes:

Securing more than $65 million in consent judgments and settlements arising out of drinking water contaminated by historic industrial operations conducted by the US Navy and Northrop Grumman.
Obtaining $630 million in infrastructure improvements to abate transboundary water contamination flowing into U.S. waters from the Tijuana River watershed on the Mexican side of the border. City of Imperial Beach et al. v. International Boundary & Water Commission et al., No. 18-cv-457 (S.D. Cal.).
Serving as trial counsel for the State of California arising out of its largest-ever contaminated site cleanup, which was caused by airborne lead emissions. California Dep’t of Toxic Substances Control v. NL Indus., Inc. et al., No. 2:20-11293 (C.D. Cal.).

Long Island water providers awarded $65 million to remove 1,4-dioxane

After decades of dead ends, two Long Island water districts turned to Sher Edling to take on Northrop Grumman and the United States Navy—and secured $65 million to remove 1,4-dioxane and other contaminants from their drinking water.

$630 million to address environmental and health crisis at the US-Mexico border

Strategic litigation and a powerful coalition combine to secure $630 million to mitigate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana River Valley—one of the most polluted waterways in America.

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Federal Judge Sends Proof of Regional Contamination to Jury in Novel 1,4-Dioxane Litigation

Sher Edling attorneys Anna Applebaum and Tim Sloane recently published an article in the American Bar Association's Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER). Titled "Federal Judge Sends Proof of Regional Contamination to Jury in Novel 1.4-Dioxane Litigation," the article's…

Water Heroes: Partner Ashley Campbell to moderate AWWA panel on PFAS

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is holding its Annual Conference & Expo June 21-24 in Washington, DC. This year's conference theme is Water Heroes: Every water professional is a hero on a journey. From protecting public health to preserving…

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