Jonathan Sokol has been resolving complex environmental litigation matters for clients for over 25 years.  His practice focuses on litigation of complex environmental disputes, throughout the United States, including environmental cost recovery litigation and environmental insurance coverage litigation.  He has represented numerous businesses in the defense of cleanup actions brought by federal and state agencies and in the prosecution of cost recovery litigation against other responsible parties, including insurance companies.  His clients have included companies in the defense and aerospace industries, shopping center owners, dry cleaners, public utility companies, pesticide formulators, real estate developers and private landowners.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS:

• U-Haul Company of California v. The Ross Family Trust:  represented owner of real property in the defense of lawsuit brought in federal court by adjoining landowner asserting claims under CERCLA, RCRA, negligence, nuisance and trespass to recover damages for alleged contamination resulting from migration of impacts from client’s property.  Following two week jury trial on state law claims, obtained defense verdict in favor of client as to claims for negligence, public nuisance and trespass.  Following bench trial on federal claims, obtained judgment in favor of client as to claims under CERCLA and RCRA.
• Paco Terminals, Inc.:  represented stevedore company in the defense of highly publicized administrative cleanup action brought by California Regional Water Quality Control Board arising out of copper contamination of San Diego Bay and in the prosecution of CERCLA contribution actions against other responsible parties, including the San Diego Unified Port District and various copper mining companies.  Also represented client in related insurance coverage litigation against over 30 primary and excess insurers.
• Lincoln Properties:  represented shopping center owner in the prosecution of insurance coverage litigation against 16 primary and excess insurance carriers in dispute arising out of property contamination caused by the operations of dry cleaner tenants at the shopping center.
• Gowan Company:  represented pesticide formulator in defense of coordinated DBCP pesticide litigation in Central Valley, California and in related insurance coverage litigation against client’s domestic and foreign insurers.