Megan V. Unger
Associate
Megan (pronounced Mēgan) Unger is dedicated to helping her public and private sector clients navigate complex environmental, land use, and regulatory issues.
She utilizes her knowledge of both state and federal environmental law to meet the needs of her clients in the forever changing regulatory field. Megan’s enthusiasm and passion for environmental law aid her in assisting clients with a wide range of legal issues including compliance with various environmental regulations.
While attending University of California, Hastings College of the Law, Megan served as a Sack Teaching Fellow for Torts and a Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing courses. Under the Hastings Law Journal, she was an Articles Editor and Diversity Committee member. Megan was also a mentor to first-year students through the UC Hastings Women’s Law Society.
Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement
- Bar Association of San Francisco, Barristers Environmental, Land Use and Real Estate Section, Member, 2022-present
- Association of Environmental Professionals, 2021-present
- Women in Environment, Bay Area Mentoring Program, 2021-present
- UC Hastings Environmental Law Society (HELA) Mentor, 2021-present
- UC Hastings Alumni Bar Passage Mentor, 2021
- UC Hastings Women’s Law Society, Student Mentor, 2018-2020
- Biden for President, Campaign Volunteer, 2020
- Hastings Law Journal, Articles Editor and Diversity Committee member
Honors & Rankings
- Order of the Coif
- UC Hastings Honor Society, 2017-2020
- CALI Awards for Highest Score in Legal Research & Writing, American Indian Law, and Criminal Law
- Witkin Awards for Highest Grade in Torts and Food Justice
- Dean’s Recognition for Professional Development, University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 2018
- Program Scholar Award, Environmental Studies, Loyola Marymount University, 2014
- Dean’s List, Loyola Marymount University, 2010-2014
- Contributed to successfully defending against a motion for attorneys’ fees arising out of a denial of a Petition for Writ of Mandate on behalf of a sand mining company.
- Assisted in the representation of a Muslim community group in connection with CEQA compliance and litigation arising out of an application to construct a religious and community center in San Martin, California.
- Assisted in counseling a waste management company regarding the regulation enforcement histories of sites similar to their own.
- Assisted in compiling and tracking housing-related legislation.
- Contributed to a successful Petition for Writ of Mandate challenging landfill expansions on behalf of a municipal water and power district.
- Contributed to a successful defense of an urgency ordinance declaring the use of groundwater for illegal cannabis operations a waste and unreasonable use.
- Representing a private club seeking entitlements to divert surface water from an on-site stream in order to reduce the need for municipal water supply.
Blogs
6 related items-
April 26, 2022New NEPA Rule Restores Demanding Environmental Review Practices for Major Federal Projects
CEQA Chronicles -
April 20, 2022BAAQMD Modifies its CEQA Thresholds for Evaluating the Significance of Climate Impacts from Land Use Projects and Plans
CEQA Chronicles -
December 20, 2021California Enacts More Than Two Dozen Laws This Year to Combat Housing Crisis
CEQA Chronicles -
July 26, 2021First District Court of Appeal Finds CEQA Claim Time-Barred Due to Insufficient Tolling Agreement
CEQA Chronicles -
May 14, 2021In First Published Opinion Interpreting SB 35, Court of Appeal Rejects City of Berkeley’s Attempts to Avoid Application of the Law and Orders Streamlined Approval of Mixed-Use Infill Project
CEQA Chronicles -
April 19, 2021California Supreme Court Grants Review of Third District’s Preemption Decision
CEQA Chronicles
Publications
6 related items-
May 24, 2022AWWEE Hosts Event Discussing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its Funding Opportunities
Downey Brand Infrastructure Publication -
February 2022Great Lakes, Coastal Beaches, and Certain Coastal Waters Further Protected by New Federal Pipeline Rule
Environmental, Energy, & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 2, Number 5 -
June 2021U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Dismisses City of New York Global Climate Change Lawsuit Against Multiple Multinational Oil Companies
Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 1, Number 9 -
February 2021U.S. EPA Publishes the Clean Air Act Cost-Benefit Rule Amidst Opposition and the End of the Trump Administration
Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 1, Number 5 -
2019Barriers to Fully Informed Decisions on Whether to Breastfeed or Formula Feed in the United States
Hastings Women’s Law Journal, Volume 31, Number 2 -
July 11, 2019Will the Wave of PFAS Litigation Sweep Through California?
Daily Journal
Megan was born and raised in the Bay Area and spends her time outside of the office playing with her Whippet puppy, attending Oakland Roots soccer games, listening to podcasts, playing soccer in an indoor women’s league, and traveling.
Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement
- Bar Association of San Francisco, Barristers Environmental, Land Use and Real Estate Section, Member, 2022-present
- Association of Environmental Professionals, 2021-present
- Women in Environment, Bay Area Mentoring Program, 2021-present
- UC Hastings Environmental Law Society (HELA) Mentor, 2021-present
- UC Hastings Alumni Bar Passage Mentor, 2021
- UC Hastings Women’s Law Society, Student Mentor, 2018-2020
- Biden for President, Campaign Volunteer, 2020
- Hastings Law Journal, Articles Editor and Diversity Committee member
Honors & Rankings
- Order of the Coif
- UC Hastings Honor Society, 2017-2020
- CALI Awards for Highest Score in Legal Research & Writing, American Indian Law, and Criminal Law
- Witkin Awards for Highest Grade in Torts and Food Justice
- Dean’s Recognition for Professional Development, University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 2018
- Program Scholar Award, Environmental Studies, Loyola Marymount University, 2014
- Dean’s List, Loyola Marymount University, 2010-2014