Los Angeles Water Law Attorney

Operating in Los Angeles means navigating one of the most complex and scrutinized water regulation environments in the world. For businesses, developers, public agencies, and property owners, the convergence of federal, state, and local water laws presents a significant challenge. Non-compliance can lead to crippling fines, operational shutdowns, and costly litigation. Protecting your interests requires sophisticated legal counsel with a deep understanding of Southern California’s unique water landscape.

If your organization requires elite legal representation for water rights, regulatory compliance, or environmental litigation in the Los Angeles area, turn to Tropea McMillan LLP. An experienced Los Angeles water law attorney from our team can provide the strategic defense and proactive counsel necessary to navigate these complex challenges effectively. Call (866) 977-8921 today to learn how we can protect your operations and resolve your legal disputes.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

Your Premier Water Law Counsel in Los Angeles

At Tropea McMillan LLP, we deliver comprehensive environmental counsel and litigation services to a wide range of clients, from small businesses and property owners to major corporations and municipalities. Our water law attorneys have decades of combined experience managing the intricate environmental regulations specific to Los Angeles and Southern California.

We are not a plaintiffs’ firm. Our practice is dedicated to defending and advising entities that face environmental scrutiny. We understand the immense pressures businesses and public agencies face in maintaining compliance while achieving their operational and financial goals. Whether you are defending against an enforcement action, seeking to secure necessary permits, or managing a legacy contamination issue, you can rely on our legal team to provide resourceful, creative, and vigorous representation.

Navigating Los Angeles’s Complex Water Regulation Landscape

The legal and regulatory framework governing water in Los Angeles is a formidable web of overlapping statutes. Sourcing water for a population of millions while managing industrial discharge, stormwater runoff, and historical pollution creates a high-stakes environment. Our attorneys provide clarity and guidance on the key regulations impacting our clients, including:

• The Clean Water Act (CWA): This foundational federal law regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation’s waters. For Los Angeles businesses, this most often involves National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for industrial wastewater and stormwater runoff. We help clients obtain, comply with, and defend permits, protecting them from costly violations. Learn more about how to deal with Clean Water Act violations.
• The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act: California’s own comprehensive water quality law is often even more stringent than the federal CWA. It grants broad authority to the State Water Resources Control Board and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to regulate any activity that could affect water quality, making compliance a critical priority.
• CERCLA and RCRA: The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) govern the cleanup of hazardous substances. Los Angeles’s long industrial history has resulted in numerous sites with soil and groundwater contamination. We defend property owners, operators, and corporations in complex, high-stakes CERCLA and RCRA litigation, including cost recovery and contribution actions.
• Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): While many of L.A.’s groundwater basins are already adjudicated, SGMA imposes new sustainability planning and management requirements across California. We advise clients on how SGMA impacts their water rights, supply reliability, and reporting obligations, ensuring they are prepared for the future of groundwater management.
• The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): Major development and infrastructure projects in Los Angeles must undergo a rigorous CEQA review to assess their environmental impacts, including those on water resources. Our attorneys guide clients through the entire CEQA process, from initial studies to defending Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) against legal challenges, helping to keep projects on track.

Proactive Environmental Counsel and Risk Management

The most effective way to handle a legal dispute is to prevent it from happening. At Tropea McMillan LLP, our goal as Los Angeles water lawyers is to serve as your strategic partner, helping you minimize risk and avoid liability. We provide proactive environmental counsel designed to keep your organization compliant and resilient.

Our counseling services include:

• Environmental Compliance Audits: We conduct thorough reviews of your operations to identify potential areas of non-compliance with water laws before they become problems.
• Permit Acquisition and Renewal: We manage the complex process of applying for and renewing essential environmental permits, including NPDES and stormwater permits, ensuring your applications are accurate and complete.
• Environmental Due Diligence: For real estate transactions and corporate mergers, we assess potential environmental liabilities, including soil and groundwater contamination, allowing you to make informed business decisions.
• Strategic Risk Management: We provide ongoing advice to help you integrate sound environmental practices into your business strategy, reducing your long-term risk profile.

Defense and Litigation for Environmental Claims

When disputes are unavoidable, you need a law firm with a proven track record in high-stakes environmental litigation. Our water attorneys in Los Angeles are formidable advocates in the courtroom, in arbitration, and during mediation. We defend clients against a wide spectrum of environmental actions, including:

• Government Enforcement Actions: We vigorously defend businesses and public entities facing investigations and enforcement actions from agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
• Toxic Tort Lawsuits: Our team defends clients against claims of personal injury or property damage allegedly caused by exposure to contaminated water or hazardous substances.
• Citizen Suit Defense: We have extensive experience defending clients against lawsuits brought by environmental groups under the “citizen suit” provisions of the Clean Water Act and other environmental statutes. For more information, read our article on understanding Clean Water Act violation claims.
• Water Rights Disputes: We represent clients in complex disputes over the allocation, use, and transfer of surface water and groundwater rights.

Targeted Focus: Soil, Groundwater, and Chemical Contamination

A core strength of our firm is our deep experience with issues of soil and groundwater contamination, particularly those involving industrial chemicals. We have successfully represented numerous clients in cases related to dry cleaning chemical pollution, such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), as well as contamination from manufacturing facilities and other industrial operations.

Our attorneys understand the complex science, hydrogeology, and legal precedents that govern these cases, allowing us to build powerful and effective defense strategies.

Serving a Diverse Clientele Across Southern California

At Tropea McMillan LLP, we have the resources and experience to represent a broad array of clients facing water law and environmental challenges in Los Angeles and throughout California. Our clients include:

• Major Corporations and Industrial Facilities
• Small and Midsize Businesses
• Real Estate Developers and Property Owners
• Municipalities and Public Water Systems
• Construction Companies and Engineering Firms
• Manufacturers and Distributors

We tailor our legal approach to the specific needs and goals of each client, combining the capacity of a large firm with the personalized attention and close working relationships of a boutique practice.

Contact a Los Angeles Water Law Attorney at Tropea McMillan LLP Today

Navigating the legal details of water in Los Angeles demands experienced and dedicated legal counsel. Protect your assets, your operations, and your reputation by partnering with a law firm that understands the landscape. The attorneys at Tropea McMillan LLP are ready to provide the sophisticated defense and strategic guidance your organization needs.

Contact our team today to schedule a consultation. Contact us today at (866) 977-8921 or through our online form and let us help you find a sound and effective solution to your water law challenges.