Downey Brand Promotes Four New Counsel

December 20, 2017

Downey Brand is pleased to announce that Darrin Gambelin, Bret Meich, Rebecca Smith, and Jennifer Williams have been promoted to counsel, effective January 1, 2018.

Darrin D. Gambelin – Darrin, a member of the firm’s Natural Resources group in the Firm’s San Francisco office, assists clients across the state with permitting, compliance and regulatory enforcement matters across a broad spectrum of industries, including energy and pipelines, agribusiness, manufacturing, and food processing. Darrin obtained his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Santa Clara University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of California at Davis. Prior to a career in law, Darrin spent 10 years in the environmental compliance field, serving as an environmental, health, and safety professional in the manufacturing, waste management, and research industries.

Bret F. Meich – From his base in Downey Brand’s Reno office, Bret works in both Nevada and California, utilizing his business and government background to offer strategies and tactics that effectively resolve complex commercial and intellectual property disputes, and assists clients with governmental and regulatory matters. Bret attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, after acquiring his Bachelor of Arts and Science, cum laude, from Georgetown University.

Rebecca R. A. Smith – Rebecca partners with clients to help them navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of California water law.  Both public and private sector clients benefit from Rebecca’s unique expertise in water rights, agricultural law, water supply, environmental compliance, and groundwater issues. Rebecca obtained her Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Davis.

Jennifer L. Williams – Jennifer is a litigator with a focus on construction, real property, eminent domain, and condemnation litigation. Based in Stockton, she works throughout the Central Valley and in Sacramento. Her 10 years of experience includes litigating cases before state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate level, and before administrative tribunals. Jennifer earned her Juris Doctor, with great distinction, from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Notre Dame de Namur University.