Meghan A. Quinn

Senior Associate

Meghan Quinn assists clients with resolving issues related to the regulation of chemicals and toxics in a variety of media. In her practice, she helps clients navigate Proposition 65, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Consumer Products Safety Act, state-specific materials restrictions laws, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Meghan uses her deep understanding of chemicals to represent clients in Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) allocation proceedings, related Natural Resource Damages Assessment actions, and with the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated properties. Meghan’s remediation and redevelopment practice extends to assisting clients with evaluating application of and compliance with stormwater regulations, Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan requirements, and Community Right to Know Laws. In assisting clients with developing properties, Meghan not only assists clients with obtaining permits, but also helps clients assess the presence and impact of onsite water features on the permitting process.

Prior to joining Downey Brand, Meghan practiced at a chambers recognized national environmental firm and a boutique California environmental firm. She has assisted corporations worldwide with navigating the complex set of laws that govern supply chains and with bringing a wide range of products to consumers. Meghan also uses her expertise to deliver onsite client trainings for Environmental Health & Safety teams.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • American Bar Association, Section on Environment, Energy and Resources, 2012-present; Membership Vice Chair, Waste and Resource Recovery Committee, 2014-2018
  • Bar Association of San Francisco, Environmental Law Section, 2013-present
  • National Association of Women Lawyers, Environmental Section, 2013-2015
  • California Association of Sanitation Agencies

Regulation of Chemicals

  • Advised various Fortune 500 Companies on Proposition 65 compliance issues, litigation risk and effective use of exposure assessments.
  • Advised various Fortune 500 Companies on state level chemical restrictions and energy efficiency laws related to product lines.
  • Evaluated full line of French sporting goods under federal and California law, and assisted with obtaining access to U.S. market.
  • Assisted large technology company with development of world-wide import strategy and product compliance for line of electronic products.
  • Assisted large multinational wood panel manufacturers with development of TSCA Title VI (Formaldehyde emissions) implementation plans and EH&S trainings.
  • Assisted large multinational wood panel manufacturers with development of TSCA Title VI, CARB Air Toxics Control Measure and Proposition 65 compliant labeling strategy.
  • Advised large solar company on TSCA and OSHA implications related to construction of utility scale solar panel installation.
  • Advised Fortune 100 Company on solar panel waste classification, treatment and disposal under federal and California law.
  • Advised Fortune 50 Company on retailer-specific hazardous waste issues and medical waste disposal compliance at the California and local levels.

Compliance Counseling

  • Assisted large oil and gas company with a name change, which required review, evaluation and transfer of hundreds of permits in various jurisdictions.
  • Advised Fortune 50 Company on development of Hazardous Materials Business Plans, annual EPCRA filings and development of standard operating procedures.
  • Assisted large technology company with opening data centers in a variety of jurisdictions by evaluating applicable land use and environmental laws.
  • Advised large infrastructure company on Clean Water Act litigation strategy.

Environmental Permitting

  • Advised large oil and gas company on compliant development of off-shore resources.
  • Assisted several Fortune 50 Companies with development of multi-jurisdiction construction stormwater compliance plans and development of standard operating procedures.

CERCLA Allocations and Contaminated Property Remediation

  • Simultaneously represented multiple parties in complex multi-party CERCLA allocation proceeding focused on soil remediation.
  • Represented Fortune 50 Company at large multi-party CERCLA allocation proceeding and related complex multi-party litigation.
  • Assisted client with evaluating onsite wastewater treatment system under the Clean Water Act and development of related property sale strategy.

Press Releases

1 related items

Blogs

4 related items

Legal Alerts

6 related items

Publications

2 related items
  • March 2020
    U.S. EPA and the Corps Release Waters of the United States Rule that Closely Adheres to Justice Scalia’s Rapanos Opinion—But Due to California’s New Wetlands Program, Provides Little Relief to the State Regulated Community
    California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 30, Number 6
  • June 2019
    U.S. Supreme Court to Weigh in on Decades Old Debate As to Whether Discharges of Pollutants to Groundwater Hyrdrologically Connected to Suface Waters Require a Clean Water Permit
    California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 29, Number 9

Meghan is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, trail running, and snowboarding throughout the American West. She also volunteers with the Bay Area Climbing Coalition, an organization dedicated to stewardship efforts to keep Northern California’s climbing areas clear of debris and graffiti.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • American Bar Association, Section on Environment, Energy and Resources, 2012-present; Membership Vice Chair, Waste and Resource Recovery Committee, 2014-2018
  • Bar Association of San Francisco, Environmental Law Section, 2013-present
  • National Association of Women Lawyers, Environmental Section, 2013-2015
  • California Association of Sanitation Agencies