Related Practices
Aerospace
The aerospace and defense industry is central both to California’s economy and to Downey Brand’s law practice. We have represented numerous aerospace and defense firms on a wide variety of issues. The aerospace and defense industry in California is regulated by a myriad of federal and state statutes and regulations. Downey Brand has the experience to help its clients defend themselves, navigate complex regulatory hurdles and achieve positive results.
Assisting aerospace and defense firms on environmental matters is a particular area of focus. We have represented aerospace and defense clients on matters involving environmental remediation, cost recovery litigation, hazardous waste regulatory issues, underground storage tanks, regulatory standard setting, water rights and stormwater regulatory issues. Our team is also experienced at advising clients on industry-specific ADA issues, construction law issues and general litigation matters. Our lawyers have worked with many of the aerospace firms with a presence in California and understand their operations, facilities, and the legal issues they confront.
Selected Experience
Selected Experience
- Currently represent a defense contractor in a significant sediment cleanup matter that involves multiple parties who operated in the vicinity of a private shipyard over the past 100 years. The matter entails environmental cost recovery, liability allocation, resolution of insurance disputes and extensive mediation.
- Review all bills of interest introduced in the California legislature for a group of aerospace companies.
- Provide counsel and compliance advice on the state and federal hazardous waste regulations, including waste characterization issues. Provide compliance advice to an aerospace company and several of its subcontractors on ADA issues. The interplay between defense contracting, safety requirements and the ADA raises difficult interpretational issues.
- Currently represent a defense contractor in a significant sediment cleanup matter that involves multiple parties who operated in the vicinity of a private shipyard over the past 100 years. The matter entails environmental cost recovery, liability allocation, resolution of insurance disputes and extensive mediation.
- Provide counsel and compliance advice on the state and federal hazardous waste regulations, including waste characterization issues. Provide compliance advice to an aerospace company and several of its subcontractors on ADA issues. The interplay between defense contracting, safety requirements and the ADA raises difficult interpretational issues.
- Obtained a determination that significantly increased the amount eligible for reimbursement from the State Underground Storage Tank Fund for a group of aerospace companies. The outcome hinged on the interpretation of ambiguous statutory language, which was then corrected by a piece of clarifying legislation sponsored by the State Water Board.
- Represented aerospace firms in construction disputes involving damages from demolition, construction and infrastructure projects at defense contractor facilities.
- General commercial litigation, including contract disputes arising out of acquisition agreements and evaluation of appellate matters.
- Currently represent a group of aerospace companies in connection with a major regional groundwater plume.
- Advised aerospace facility with respect to water rights issues involving a surface water body from which it extracted most of its industrial water supply.
Kelly M. Breen
Kelly M. Breen
Partner / Chair, Diversity Committee
Kelly Breen has a proven track record of helping clients navigate complex business issues with a common sense approach that achieves optimal results. She applies the right balance of aggressive advocacy, robust understanding of the law, and creative problem-solving to every case she handles.
Sacramento 916.520.5485
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5485
Announcements
4 related items-
May 15, 2025Three Veteran Environmental Attorneys Join Downey Brand’s Sacramento Office
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October 1, 2021Goodin MacBride’s Public Utility Regulation Practice Joins Downey Brand
Firm Furthers its Bay Area Presence with Strategic Expansion of Natural Resources Practice -
January 15, 2020Downey Brand Names Two New Partners
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July 1, 2019Downey Brand Welcomes New Counsel Kelly Breen
Legal Alerts
3 related items-
April 8, 2020Sacramento County Health Officer Extends Stay at Home Order through May 1, 2020; Additional Clarifications for Essential Businesses
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and Updates Public Agency -
March 23, 2020UPDATED: Additional Guidance Provided on Critical Infrastructure Worker Designations in Wake of Statewide Order to Stay Home
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and Updates Public Agency -
March 20, 2020Statewide Order to Stay Home Prompts Questions Regarding Critical Infrastructure and Worker Classifications
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and Updates Public Agency
Publications
3 related items-
May 2023Ninth Circuit Finds FAA Failed to Take Requisite ‘Hard Look’ Under NEPA at Noise Impacts From Airport Terminal Replacement Project
Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 3, Number 8 -
January 2023U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Aligns Aircraft Engine Emissions Standards With United Nations and Considers Increasing Stringency in the Future
Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 3, Number 4 -
April 18, 2022 (Revised)Summary of California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Opinions Reviewing Decisions of the California Public Utilities Commission
Provided by Downey Brand’s Public Utility Regulation Practice