Downey Brand Promotes Two Natural Resources Attorneys to Counsel

January 3, 2023

Downey Brand is pleased to announce that Hina Gupta and Patrick Veasy have been promoted to Counsel effective January 1, 2023.

Hina’s practice primarily involves assisting clients navigate through regulatory matters, land use entitlements, and environmental issues. Based in Downey Brand’s San Francisco office, Hina aids public and private sector clients in a variety of matters, including compliance with local planning and zoning laws, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California Coastal Act, local municipal and election laws, and brownfield redevelopment.

Before practicing law, Hina worked as an environmental planning consultant, an experience crucial to her current success in natural resources law. Hina is also an editor and frequent contributor to the Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter. Hina earned a B.A., with distinction, from The School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, India in 2005. She went on to earn her M.P.L. from the University of Southern California in 2007 and her J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School in 2014.

Patrick is a member of the firm’s environmental law practice, where he represents clients in environmental compliance and enforcement matters. Patrick routinely handles water quality matters under the California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and federal Clean Water Act. In addition, Patrick frequently assists clients with environmental site remediation issues and toxic tort litigation, including actions under California’s Proposition 65.

Patrick regularly contributes to Downey Brand’s Proposition 65 trends and highlights newsletter, and frequently writes about other emerging issues such as the regulation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Reflective of his legal work, Patrick was recognized by Best Lawyers in America© as a member of “Ones to Watch” in environmental law for 2023. Patrick earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2014 and his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 2009.