Novare Law Group has represented Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) in complex environmental litigation, including Clean-Up and Abatement Orders issued in San Diego Bay. Not only were we able to successfully resolve these cases, but we were also able to secure insurance coverage for 100% of the fees and costs involved.
Novare Law Group has experience and success in handling land-based claims, including underground storage tanks’ soil contamination, as well as asbestos claims.
Notable Environmental cases
In re: Clean-Up and Abatement Order Issued to San Diego Boatyard 1
Novare Law Group represented a large San Diego boat repair facility in response to a clean-up and abatement order issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB). We worked with technical experts to settle the claim without any necessity to remediate and we obtained insurance coverage for 100% of all fees and costs.
In re: Clean-Up and Abatement Order Issued to San Diego Boatyard 2
Novare Law Group represented a boutique boat building and boat repair facility in response to a clean-up and abatement order issued by the CRWQCB. We worked with technical experts to settle the claim, without any necessity to remediate, and we obtained insurance coverage for 100% of all fees and costs. In addition, as part of the settlement with the CRWQCB, Novare Law Group was able to obtain insurance funding to replace an aging marine railway.
In re: Grand Jury investigation of General Partner of Waterfront Facility for Violations of US Clean Water Act
Novare Law Group was faced with a novel theory advanced by the federal government that a general partner of a Master Port Tenant was criminally responsible due to failure to supervise the operations of a subtenant. We resolved the matter without indictment and were successful in obtaining insurance coverage for all of the client’s fees and costs.
In re: Clean-Up and Abatement Order Issued to Kobe-Style Cattle Operations
Novare Law Group was retained by a foreign-owned cattle ranch after it had been assessed over 30 Million Dollars in fines and penalties by the CRWQCB. We were able to negotiate a settlement under Five Hundred Thousand Dollars, payable over time and secured by Deed of Trust. The company was then able to wind down operations in an orderly fashion.
Asbestos Litigation Involving National Paint Manufacturer
Novare Law Group represented a national paint manufacturer in large-scale class-action asbestos claims. We obtained summary judgment by proving that the asbestos was fully encapsulated and could not have injured the plaintiffs.
Asbestos Claims Against National Home Building Supply Company
Novare Law Group represented a large national home building supply company in connection with coordinated litigation arising from its sales of home products, including ceiling tiles that contained asbestos. We prevailed on summary judgment on the basis of plaintiff’s inability to establish a causal connection between the products sold and plaintiff’s injuries.
Dry Cleaner Soil Pollution Claim
Novare Law Group was able to prevent claims from being asserted by a property owner/landlord against its dry cleaner tenant for soil pollution, which arose out of the company’s operations. We were successful in releasing those claims, as a result of our drafting of prior lease modifications and extensions. The client exited the property without liability.
"Lawyers hate keeping track of their billable hours. Clients hate them even more; each month they receive bills showing that their legal representatives have worked improbably long hours at incredibly high rates. Billing by the hour often fails to align lawyers' interests with their clients'... Since there is clearly a demand for an alternative to the billable hour, you would expect someone to supply it."
"The billable-hour system is the way most lawyers in big firms charge clients, but it serves no one. Well, almost no one. It brings most equity partners in those firms great wealth. Law firm leaders call it a leveraged pyramid. Most associates call it a living hell."