Brenda C. Bass

Senior Associate

Brenda Bass advises public agency and private clients on environmental review requirements, as well as applying for and complying with water quality permits. She is also experienced in litigating CEQA and groundwater quality issues for clients throughout California.

Brenda assists clients in defending against Clean Water Act violation demand letters and litigation, in addition to counseling clients on compliance with state and federal laws governing stormwater and wastewater quality. She also assists agricultural enterprises in complying with rapidly changing irrigation discharge regulations.

Prior to joining Downey Brand, Brenda practiced at a California boutique environmental firm. She also externed for a bankruptcy judge in Sacramento, giving her an insider experience in federal litigation.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
  • California Association of Sanitation Agencies

Honors & Rankings

  • Externship, Judge Ronald Sargis, United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California, 2014
  • Roger J. Traynor Honor Society
  • McGeorge Law Review, Primary Editor, 2014-2015
  • Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Patent Law, 2015
  • Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Bankruptcy Law, 2014
  • Represented public agencies in complex, multiparty CEQA litigation over a large-scale water resource project.
  • Defended local agencies against CEQA lawsuits aimed at stopping local public works projects.
  • Defended and settled Clean Water Act violation allegations for winemakers and other industrial stormwater permittees, avoiding or reducing penalty exposure for the client.
  • Commented on water quality control plans establishing new water quality objectives for salt, bacteria, and other constituents.
  • Commented on regulations governing environmental laboratory accreditation standards.
  • Advised out-of-state manufacturer on Proposition 65 labeling requirements.

Press Releases

1 related items


Legal Alerts

1 related items

Outside of the office, Brenda enjoys a regular yoga practice and finding picturesque trails to hike and photograph.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
  • California Association of Sanitation Agencies

Honors & Rankings

  • Externship, Judge Ronald Sargis, United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California, 2014
  • Roger J. Traynor Honor Society
  • McGeorge Law Review, Primary Editor, 2014-2015
  • Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Patent Law, 2015
  • Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Bankruptcy Law, 2014