Robert P. Soran

Partner / Executive Committee Member

Known as a strong advocate and litigator with more than 25 years of experience, clients throughout California turn to Bob Soran for his expertise in compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations.

When issues go beyond compliance counseling, clients seek Bob’s skills and representation in environmental enforcement defense, environmental litigation, and administrative proceedings.

Bob’s clients include Fortune 500 corporations, governmental agencies, private corporations, landowners and individuals.  Regardless of the type of client, Bob’s singular focus is on achieving the client’s ultimate goals and objectives in the most effective means possible.  He takes great satisfaction in successfully representing his clients’ interests.

Bob served as Chair of Downey Brand’s environmental law practice management group from 2005 through 2010, and as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee from 2010-2013.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • University of California at Davis Children’s Hospital Executive Advisory Council, Board of Directors, 2002-2015; Co-Chair, 2006-2007; Chair, 2008-2015
  • Roseville Rotary Club, Former Member
  • California State Senate Advisory Committee on Organized Crime and Gang Violence, Former Representative Member
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
  • California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section

Honors & Rankings

  • Sacramento Magazine, Top Lawyer, Environmental, 2015-2018, 2020-2022
  • Internship, California State Attorney General’s Office – Environmental Enforcement Division, Oakland California

Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Enforcement Defense

Advising and representing clients in environmental compliance and enforcement matters (including cease and desist orders, notices of violation, cleanup & abatement orders and statute-based agency informational requests) before various local, state and federal agencies including the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air Resources Board, various Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB), and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

  • Lead attorney in advising and defending power facility owners and operating partner in enforcement action filed by Circuit Prosecutor for alleged discharge and placement of material into wetlands.
  • Represented and advised large public transit district in responding to an EPA Unilateral Administrative Order for abandoned oil recycling facility.
  • Defended multi-national petroleum corporation in cost recovery action initiated by the DTSC for abandoned waste oil/liquids recycling facility.
  • Jointly represented two national food corporations in cost recovery actions initiated by EPA and the DTSC for cost recovery associated with a former drum and barrel processing/recycling facility.
  • Advised and defended case filed by District Attorney against aggregate/ready mix corporation for alleged off-site discharges of hazardous waste.
  • Defended trucking company in enforcement action brought by District Attorney for alleged illegal transport and disposal of recycled material.
  • Represented large regional developer in action brought by the SWRCB and the California Attorney General’s Office for alleged violations of General NPDES Permit for storm water discharges into wetlands.
  • Defended property owners in multi-party contribution action for the investigation and cleanup of chlorinated solvent soil and ground water contamination involving multiple adjacent properties and varied source operations.  Representation also included responding to orders of the RWQCB applicable to clients’ property.
  • Advised national industrial equipment rental corporation on fuel tank compliance issues and related resolution of notices of violation by County CUPA.
  • Represented multi-national rental car corporation in responding to notice of violation and complaint for administrative civil liability arising from an alleged petroleum release.
  • Advised national equipment rental corporation on emergency response and notice requirements following explosion at client facility.
  • Defended property owners/farmers in enforcement action alleging violations of California’s Fish & Game Code and Water Code for streambed alteration and erosion control measures.
  • Advised and represented farmers and agricultural operations in case brought by the United States alleging violations of the Clean Water Act.
  • Advised and represented farming/agricultural operations in cases involving crop damage claims.

Environmental Litigation

Representing clients in civil litigation, with an emphasis in claims under CERCLA/Superfund, RCRA, Clean Air Act, Porter-Cologne, Hazardous Substances Account Act (HSAA), California’s Proposition 65 and environmental/toxic torts, in both state and federal courts.

  • As common counsel to a PRP Trust, conducted successful cost recovery efforts against hundreds of PRPs, recovering multiple millions of dollars from previously unidentified PRPs who contributed waste to an abandoned used oil recycling facility for which emergency response was required under Unilateral Administrative Order issued by the EPA.
  • Lead attorney defending County in private party CERCLA contribution action for remediation, closure/post closure of former burn dump/landfill.  In addition to obtaining favorable settlement for the client, Bob also negotiated the imposition of a recorded landuse/deed restriction against plaintiff applicable to the former landfill and surrounding property.
  • Defended national auto parts retailer against claims for contribution to VOC contamination of shopping center.  Conducted investigation and scientific analysis of soil, groundwater and vapor sampling and demonstrated client was not responsible for contamination resulting in prompt dismissal of client without having filed responsive pleading in federal court.
  • Defended multi-national rental car corporation against CERCLA contribution claims relating to remediation of former landfill.
  • Defended national equipment rental company in cost recovery litigation initiated by public redevelopment agency alleging chlorinated solvent and petroleum contamination.
  • Advised and represented multi-national consumer products/electronics manufacturer in Proposition 65 action for alleged failure to warn on lead exposures in consumer products.
  • Advised and represented regional grocery store chain in multiple Proposition 65 claims for alleged failure to warn in conjunction with sale of products.

Air Quality Enforcement, Compliance, and Permitting

Representing clients in enforcement and permitting matters before the EPA, CARB, state air quality management districts, and numerous counties throughout the state.

  • Defended biomass power facility against enforcement action by county air pollution control district alleging hundreds of violations of county, state and federal air quality regulations and permit requirements.
  • Advised and represented multi-national computer disk drive manufacturer in multiple enforcement actions involving alleged violations of both state and federal air quality laws at multiple manufacturing facilities.
  • Advised and represented cultured marble manufacturer in separate matters by a state air pollution control district and the EPA for alleged permit violations of VOC emission limitation and EPCRA violations.
  • Represented biomass power generation facility in enforcement action by the EPA alleging Title V permit violations.
  • Conducted comprehensive environmental compliance audits at numerous aggregate and ready-mix facilities throughout California.
  • Advised food and agricultural companies on air quality, emission, permitting, and compliance matters.

Real Property Due Diligence and Implementation of Remediation

Advising clients in conducting due diligence on real property and remediation of contaminated sites.

  • Assisted various clients ranging from multinational institutional corporation to local family owned businesses in real property due diligence and environmental review for acquisitions, development, and operational considerations.
  • Advised and represented national retailer on regulatory compliance and site remediation issues arising from legacy site acquisitions in California.
  • Represented and advised large public transit district on real estate due diligence, site remediation and abatement, as well as ancillary purchase & sale and lease agreements.
  • Advised multi-national wireless telecommunications company on environmental due diligence for retail and network site acquisition throughout California.

PRP Group Organization

Coordination of PRPs in responding to EPA orders, including representing individual PRP in Steering Committees.

  • Multi-Party PRP Groups – Successfully organized key Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) in responding to EPA Unilateral Administrative Orders for emergency response actions at abandoned waste oil recycling facility, including representing PRP in Steering Committees (Chair and Vice-Chair positions).

Legal Alerts

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Publications

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Away from the practice of law, Bob’s greatest enjoyment comes from spending time with his wife and two sons, playing golf, and camping. In the community, Bob has been a long-time supporter of children’s causes. As part of that support, he has served as a member of the University of California, Davis, Children’s Hospital Executive Council, serving as Chair of the Executive Council from 2010-2014.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • University of California at Davis Children’s Hospital Executive Advisory Council, Board of Directors, 2002-2015; Co-Chair, 2006-2007; Chair, 2008-2015
  • Roseville Rotary Club, Former Member
  • California State Senate Advisory Committee on Organized Crime and Gang Violence, Former Representative Member
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
  • California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section

Honors & Rankings

  • Sacramento Magazine, Top Lawyer, Environmental, 2015-2018, 2020-2022
  • Internship, California State Attorney General’s Office – Environmental Enforcement Division, Oakland California