HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC.12 - Sher Edling LLPCOUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone (808) 961-8251 Fax (808) 961-8622
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider
Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
Elizabeth A. Strance
Corporation Counsel
J S. Yoshimoto
Assistant Corporation
Counsel
July 19, 2024
Via Electronic Mail only
Victor M. Sher, Partner
Matthew K. Edling, Partner
Sher Edling LLP
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410
San Francisco, CA 94104
E-mail(s): vic@sheredling.com; matt@sheredling.com
Dear Sirs:
Re: Fiscal Year 2024-25 Professional Services: Statement of Qualifications (SOQs)
Thank you for submitting your firm’s Statement(s) of Qualifications for providing
professional services to the Office of the Corporation Counsel, County of Hawai‘i.
Based upon the information provided, the Department’s review committee has
determined that your firm is qualified to perform services for the following category(ies):
CC.1) Attorney/Law (Bankruptcy)
CC.2) Attorney/Law (Civil Rights Defense)
CC.3) Attorney/Law (Class Actions)
CC.4) Attorney/Law (Collections)
CC.5) Attorney/Law (Commercial Transactions)
CC.6) Attorney/Law (Condemnation)
CC.7) Attorney/Law (Constitutional)
CC.8) Attorney/Law (Construction Litigation)
CC.9) Attorney/Law (Criminal Defense of County Employees)
CC.10) Attorney/Law (Drafting of Legislation and Administrative Rules)
CC.11) Attorney/Law (Enforcement of Federal, State and County Law)
CC.12) Attorney/Law (Environmental General)
CC.13) Attorney/Law (Environmental Litigation)
CC.14) Attorney/Law (Fair Labor Standards Act and other laws related to compensation)
CC.15) Attorney/Law (Federal and State Tax)
CC.16) Attorney/Law (General defense in civil matters, including administrative proceedings)
CC.17) Attorney/Law (General Personal Injury Defense)
CC.18) Attorney/Law (Land Use, Planning)
CC.19) Attorney/Law (Procurement)
Victor M. Sher, Partner
Matthew K. Edling, Partner
Sher Edling LLP
July 19, 2024
Page 2
CC.20) Attorney/Law (Public Financing)
CC.21) Attorney/Law (Public Sector Employment)
CC.22) Attorney/Law (Real Estate)
CC.23) Attorney/Law (Regulatory)
CC.24) Attorney/Law (Worker's Compensation)
Your firm will remain on the Department’s List of Qualified Providers of Professional
Services until June 30, 2025. For your information, this list may be utilized by any
County agency during this time period.
When the need for professional services arises, a selection committee will review the
qualifications of firms on the list in the appropriate category. Professional services
procurements that equal or exceed $5,000.00 are posted on the County’s website within
seven (7) days of the contract award.
Thank you for your interest in providing professional services to the County of Hawaiʻi. If
you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amy Bautista at
corpcounsel@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8251.
Respectfully,
Sinclair Salas-Ferguson
Deputy Corporation Counsel
Chair, 2024-25 Professional Services Statement of Qualifications Review Committee
cc: Ona Bacigalupi (e-mail: ona@sheredling.com)
Victor M. Sher, Partner
Matthew K. Edling, Partner
Sher Edling LLP
July 19, 2024
Page 3
bcc: County of Hawai‘i, Procurement with enclosure (application packet)
100 Montgomery Street, Suite1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
June 26, 2024
Via E-Mail
Ms. Elizabeth A. Strance
Corporation Counsel
County of Hawai‘i
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
corpcounsel@hawaiicounty.gov
Re: Letter of Interest and Statement of Qualifications
Dear Ms. Strance:
Sher Edling LLP (SELLP) is delighted to submit this Letter of Interest / Statement of
Qualifications to work with your office as outside counsel. We are a mission-driven law firm. Our
practice focuses on assisting public agencies as plaintiffs in complex, high impact, tort and
environmental litigation, with specific focus on climate change and drinking water contamination
cases. We submit this statement of qualification and expression of interest for FY 2024-2025 for
the following categories of service:
• CC.11 (Enforcement of Federal, State and County Law);
• CC.12 (Environmental General); and
• CC.13 (Environmental Litigation).
1. The name of the firm, contact information including email address, the principal place
of business, and location of all its offices.
Sher Edling LLP
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410
San Francisco, CA 94104
(628) 231-2500
Primary Contacts:
Victor M. Sher, Partner
(628) 231-2510
vic@sheredling.com
Matthew K. Edling, Partner
(628) 231-2520
matt@sheredling.com
The Firm’s website is www.sheredling.com. Our fax number is (628) 231-2929.
Corporation Counsel
June 26, 2024
Page 2
2. The age of the firm and its average number of employees over the past five years.
Vic Sher and Matt Edling formed Sher Edling LLP in August 2016, after co-counseling for
several years while affiliated with other law firms. At formation the firm consisted of just the two
founders and an office manager. We have grown steadily and currently have 39 employees,
consisting of twenty-four lawyers (including three Of Counsel), five paralegals, one media and
communications specialists, and other support staff.
3. The education, training, and qualifications of the lead attorneys.
a. Vic Sher
Stanford Law School, 1980
Oberlin College, 1976
Vic Sher has spent his career developing and prosecuting unparalleled legal strategies to
protect people and the planet. He is currently the lead outside lawyer assisting ten public agencies
in climate change damages cases brought by cities, counties, states, as well as an association of
commercial fishermen, against the fossil fuel industry; his clients include San Francisco,
Baltimore, and the State of Rhode Island. For much of the last two decades, Vic’s practice focused
solely on representing public water suppliers and other public agencies in lawsuits against the
manufacturers of toxic chemicals polluting drinking water sources; his non-climate docket
continues these kinds of cases. In 2009, Vic served as New York City’s lead trial counsel in City
of New York v. ExxonMobil, a federal jury trial over MTBE contamination in Queens that resulted
in a verdict for the City of $104.7 million. Before entering private practice in 1998 Vic practiced
with the public interest law firm Earthjustice from 1986 until 1997, including as its President from
1994 to 1997.
Mr. Sher is admitted to practice in the following jurisdictions and courts:
Jurisdiction Date Admitted
California 12/16/1980
Northern District of California 12/16/1980
Central District of California 1/13/2004
Eastern District of California 11/30/1982
Southern District of California 1/12/2004
U.S. Court of Federal Claims 4/18/2017
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit 9/6/2019
U. S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit 10/26/2010
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit 7/14/1993
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit 7/11/2019
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit 2/20/2020
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit 6/11/1987
U.S Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit 4/10/2018
Corporation Counsel
June 26, 2024
Page 3
Jurisdiction Date Admitted
U.S. Supreme Court 6/27/1988
U.S. Court of Appeals, DC Circuit 6/17/1988
b. Matt Edling
University of California, Hastings College of Law, 2007
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, 2002
Matt Edling has represented public entities in large individual actions, as well as plaintiffs
in complex litigation. Matt currently serves as counsel for several states, counties, and cities in
litigation related to climate damages, water and land contamination, and natural resources damages
involving myriad petrochemical, agrichemical, and other man-made chemicals. Matt served as trial
counsel for California’s toxics agency arising out of its largest-ever contaminated site cleanup,
which was caused by airborne lead emissions. California Dep’t of Toxic Substances Control, et al.
v. NL Indus., Inc., et al., No. 2:20-11293 (C.D. Cal.). As lead counsel working on behalf of water
providers on Long Island, Matt helped secure more than $65 million in consent judgments and
settlements arising out of contaminated drinking water. Bethpage Water District v. United States,
et al., No. 22-cv-2050 (E.D.N.Y.); South Farmingdale Water District v. United States, et al., No.
22-cv-2051 (E.D.N.Y). Matt’s efforts as lead counsel on behalf of California public entities
resulted in $630 million in infrastructure improvements to abate transboundary water
contamination. City of Imperial Beach, et al. v. International Boundary and Water Commission,
et al., No. 18-cv-457 (S.D. Cal.) Matt’s successes led to The Recorder naming him as one of the
top fifty California attorneys with under ten years of practice (2012), and he has been named
among the highest class of attorneys for professional ethics and legal skills, with an AVPreeminent
rating by Martindale Hubbell.
Mr. Edling is admitted to practice in the following jurisdictions and courts:
Jurisdiction Date Admitted
California 11/20/2007
New York 12/8/2016
District of Columbia 5/16/2014
Northern District of California 12/19/2007
Central District of California 1/29/2008
Eastern District of California 3/5/2009
Southern District of California 3/4/2009
Eastern District of New York 5/4/2018
Southern District of New York 5/4/2018
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia 8/26/2020
U.S. Court of Federal Claims 4/18/2017
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit 9/9/2019
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit 4/2/2015
Corporation Counsel
June 26, 2024
Page 4
Jurisdiction Date Admitted
U. S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit 2/1/2022
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit 7/2/2019
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit 2/20/2020
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit 9/5/2013
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit 4/10/2018
U.S. Supreme Court 11/12/2019
c. Corrie Yackulic (Of Counsel)
Harvard Law School, 1985
Williams College, 1979
Corrie Yackulic is a tenacious and effective trial lawyer and negotiator, with a deep
commitment to bringing justice to her clients. She joins Sher Edling as Of Counsel on the firm’s
climate change cases. Recognized as a Top 100 Super Lawyer in the State of Washington, Corrie
was named one of Washington’s Top 50 Female Attorneys from 2017-18. Corrie is a Fellow of
the American College of Trial Lawyers and has served as an instructor for the National Institute
for Trial Advocacy (NITA). Corrie is Preeminent AV rated (Martindale Hubbell) by her peers for
her legal skill and legal ethics. Her abilities have yielded results for her clients totaling in the tens
of millions.
Ms. Yackulic is admitted to practice in the following jurisdictions and courts:
Jurisdiction Date Admitted
Washington 6/16/1986
Western District of Washington 9/25/1987
Eastern District of Washington 5/22/1992
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit 10/1/1987
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit 2/1/2001
Attachment A includes biographical statements of the attorneys and paralegals at the Firm.
4. A list of recent projects and the names of up to five clients who may be contacted,
including at least two for whom services were rendered during the preceding year.
SELLP specializes in assisting public entities as plaintiffs in complex, high impact, tort
and environmental litigation. We have two primary areas of practice: climate change and drinking
water contamination. Examples of our work include:
A. Climate Change Litigation
We currently are lead outside counsel representing cities, counties, and states in twenty-
four major lawsuits against fossil fuel companies for damages caused by climate change. Our
Corporation Counsel
June 26, 2024
Page 5
clients include the States of Rhode Island, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and
the District of Columbia; the Cities of Baltimore, MD, Charleston, SC, Annapolis, MD, Honolulu,
HI, Chicago, IL, and New York, NY; Counties of Honolulu, HI, Maui, HI, and Anne Arundel,
MD; eight California public entities, including the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond,
Imperial Beach, and Santa Cruz, and the counties of Marin, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz; and two
Indian Tribes, Makah Indian Tribe and Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe. The cases allege that the
defendants have known for decades that unabated use of their products could be catastrophic for
the world, but actively promoted and marketed them while deceiving the public concerning these
risks to avoid costly regulation of their businesses. The actions seek to recover damages that
communities – cities, counties, states, and others – have sustained from changes in sea level and
other climate change-related impacts caused by profligate over-use of fossil fuels resulting from
defendants’ wrongful campaigns of deception and denial.
Clients who may be contacted:
• City and County of San Francisco: Sara Eisenberg
o Chief of Complex and Affirmative Litigation
o (415) 554-3874
o sara.eisenberg@sfcityatty.org
o Current representation
• San Mateo County: David Silberman
o Chief Deputy County Attorney
o (650) 363-4250
o dsilberman@smcgov.org
o Current representation
• State of Rhode Island: Adi Goldstein
o Deputy Attorney General
o (401) 274-4400
o AGoldstein@riag.ri.gov
o Current representation
B. Drinking Water Contamination
We currently represent states, cities, counties, and other public water suppliers around the
country as plaintiffs in major damages actions to recover the costs of removing toxic contaminants
from public drinking water. Our current docket includes cases involving 1,4 dioxane;
perfluorochemicals, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA),
and other related harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (collectively, PFAS); 1,2,3
trichloropropane (TCP); polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); and hexavalent chromium (Cr6). Past
experiences include litigation over DBCP in California and Hawai`i; MTBE in California, New
York, and New Hampshire; and others.
For example, Vic Sher served as lead trial counsel for the City of New York in its landmark
MTBE case, which led to a total recovery of about $130 million, including a $105 million federal
Corporation Counsel
June 26, 2024
Page 6
jury verdict against Exxon that was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Second Circuit
in In re MTBE Product Liability Litigation (New York City), 725 F.3d 65 (2nd Cir. 2013). Mr. Sher
was also lead outside pretrial counsel for the State of New Hampshire in its prosecution of the first
statewide case to recover the costs of MTBE contamination. From 2003 until 2012, Mr. Sher
guided the case as it prepared for trial. Ultimately, the State recovered more than $140 million in
pretrial settlements, and, in the largest trial ever held in the State of New Hampshire, the jury
awarded more than $236 million against ExxonMobil. The New Hampshire Supreme Court
affirmed the jury verdict in 2015 (and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review). State of New
Hampshire v. ExxonMobil, 168 N.H. 211, 126 A.3d 266 (N.H. 2015). Vic was also designated co-
lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the federal multi-district litigation In re MTBE Product Liability
Litigation.
Stephanie Biehl and Ashley Campbell have leadership roles in In re: Aqueous Film-
Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 18-2873 (the “AFFF MDL”), a national
Multi-District Litigation concerning certain PFAS-related cases assigned to Judge Richard Gergel
in Charleston, South Carolina.
SELLP currently represents the following public entities in pending or imminent litigation
over 1,4 dioxane:
1,4-Dioxane:
• Suffolk County Water Authority (NY)
• Roslyn Water District (NY)
• Garden City Park Water District (NY)
• Port Washington Water District (NY)
• Bethpage Water District (NY)
• Manhasset-Lakeville Water District (NY)
• Oyster Bay Water District (NY)
• Jericho Water District (NY)
• Locust Valley Water District (NY)
• Albertson Water District (NY)
• Westbury Water & Fire District (NY)
• Water Authority of Western Nassau
County (NY)
• Franklin Square Water District (NY)
• West Hempstead Water District (NY)
• Carle Place Water District (NY)
• Water Authority of Great Neck North
(NY)
• South Farmingdale Water District (NY)
• Plainview Water District (NY)
• Village of Mineola (NY)
• Village of Williston Park (NY)
• Village of Garden City (NY)
• Town of Huntington/Dix Hills Water
Department (NY)
• Greenlawn Water District (NY)
• South Huntington Water District (NY)
• Village of Hempstead (NY)
• Town of Hempstead (NY)
• State of New Jersey (NJ)
• Town of Pittsboro (NC)
• Water Replenishment District of Southern
California (CA)
SELLP currently represents the following public entities in pending or imminent litigation
over PFOA, PFOS, and other related PFAS compounds:
Corporation Counsel
June 26, 2024
Page 7
PFAS
• State of California (CA)
• State of Wisconsin (WI)
• State of Maryland (MD)
• State of New Mexico (NM)
• State of Oregon (OR)
• State of Rhode Island (RI)
• State of Washington (WA)
• State of Hawaii (HI)
• Suffolk County Water Authority (NY)
• Roslyn Water District (NY)
• Port Washington Water District (NY)
• Ridgewood Water (NJ)
• Water Authority of Western Nassau
County (NY)
• Atlantic City Municipal Utilities
Authority (NJ)
• Village of Garden City (NY)
• Garden City Park Water District (NY)
• Carle Place Water District (NY)
• Village of Mineola (NY)
• Bethpage Water District (NY)
• Water Authority of Great Neck North
(NY)
• Town of Hempstead (NY)
• Village of Sands Point (NY)
• Manhasset-Lakeville Water District (NY)
• Town of Riverhead (NY)
• Town of Huntington (NY)
• Sacramento Suburban Water District (CA)
• City of Philadelphia (PA)
• East Bay Municipal Utility District (CA)
• Franklin Square Water District (NY)
• Town of Pittsboro (NC)
• The Borough of Hawthorne (NJ)
• Albertson Water District (NY)
• Greenlawn Water District (NY)
• Jericho Water District (NY)
• Plainview Water District (NY)
• Locust Valley Water District (NY)
• Oyster Bay Water District (NY)
• Village of Williston Park (NY)
• Westbury Water & Fire District (NY)
• South Farmingdale Water District (NY)
• South Huntington Water District (NY)
Clients who may be contacted:
• Bethpage Water District (NY) (PFAS and 1,4 dioxane contamination): Michael Ingham
o General Counsel
o (516) 370-5530
o jstrauss@carmanlawteam.com
o Current representation
• State of Wisconsin (PFAS contamination): Brad Motl
o Assistant Attorney General
o (608) 267-0505
o motlbj@doj.state.wi.us
o Current representation
5. Any promotion or descriptive literature that the attorney or firm desires to submit.
Our website, www.sheredling.com, contains extensive information about our experience,
expertise, and current docket of cases. Please also see Attachment B.
Corporation Counsel
June 26, 2024
Page 8
Please let me know if you need any additional information about us or our practice. We
look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Matthew Edling
Partner
Attachment A – Sher Edling Team Biographies
Attachment B – Sher Edling’s Qualifications and Experience
ATTACHMENT A
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Vic Sher has spent his career developing and prosecuting
unparalleled legal strategies to protect people and the planet.
For more than four decades, he has achieved exceptional
success— as a litigator, a consultant and as the leader of the
world’s largest public interest environmental law firm—on
behalf of communities and non-governmental organizations
against the world’s most powerful polluters and largest law
firms. Beyond representing public agencies and organizations
in active lawsuits, Vic consults on effective litigation strategies
with government agencies, national and local non-profit
organizations, and attorneys around the country.
From 1998 through 2011, Vic’s practice focused solely on representing public water suppliers and
other public agencies in lawsuits against the manufacturers of toxic chemicals polluting drinking
water sources. He was a partner with Miller & Sher in Sacramento from 1998 through 2002, then
founder and principal litigator with Sher Leff LLP in San Francisco from 2003 through 2011. In
2009, Vic served as New York City’s lead trial counsel in City of New York v. ExxonMobil, a federal
jury trial over MTBE contamination in Queens that resulted in a verdict for the city of $104.7
million. His team was recognized as a Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year finalist. In a federal
multidistrict litigation, In Re: MTBE Litigation, involving hundreds of public water agencies around
the country, Vic was designated by the court as national co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. He also
represented numerous public water agencies and utilities in matters involving a variety of
chemicals including MTBE, TCP, DBCP, PCE, and DDT.
Vic practiced with the public interest law firm Earthjustice (then known as the Sierra Club Legal
Defense Fund) from October 1986 until June 1997, including as its President from 1994 to 1997.
As President, he acted as the CEO for the world’s largest public interest environmental law firm,
with 50 lawyers in ten offices. The American Lawyer called some of his work during this period
among the “most important public lands management litigation in this country’s history.” The
ABA Journal noted that Vic’s lawsuits caused a “dramatic new direction in forest policy” for tens
of millions of acres of federal forests, “forcing an end to business as usual”. He also litigated
many cases to protect communities from toxic chemicals, preserve endangered ecosystems and
species, conserve public lands, and improve air and water quality.
Named a 2011 LawDragon 500 lawyer and a Northern California Super Lawyer since 2005, Vic
received a Pew Scholarship in Conservation and the Environment in 1992, and shared the Natural
Resources Council of America Award of Achievement for Policy Activities in 1993. The American
Lawyer Magazine named him for its 1997 “Public Sector 45,” a list of “45 young lawyers outside
the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives” . Vic is a 1976 graduate of
Oberlin College, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, received high honors, and was awarded the
Comfort-Starr Award for excellence in the study of government. He received his law degree in
1980 from Stanford Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review.
2
As a frequent public speaker and author, Vic has appeared regularly in local and national print,
radio and television media
Court Admissions
Vic is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the United States
Supreme Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the United States Court of Appeals
for the First Circuit, Fourth Circuit Ninth Circuit, Federal Circuit, and District of Columbia Circuit.
He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central, and
Southern Districts of California.
4816-9466-5362
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Matt Edling has dedicated his career to litigating socially just
actions. He has prosecuted cases against the largest oil and
insurance companies, financial institutions and multinational
corporations, and won.
Matt currently serves as counsel for several states, counties
and cities in litigation related to climate damages, water and
land contamination, and natural resources damages involving
myriad petrochemical, agrichemical, and other man-made
chemicals.
Recently, Matt served as trial counsel for California’s toxics agency arising out of its largest-ever
contaminated site cleanup, which was caused by airborne lead emissions. California Dep’t of
Toxic Substances Control, et al. v. NL Indus., Inc., et al., No. 2:20-11293-SVW-JPR (C.D. Cal.) As
lead counsel working on behalf of water providers on Long Island, Matt helped secure more than
$65 million in consent judgments and settlements arising out of contaminated drinking water.
Bethpage Water District v. United States of America, et al., (EDNY Case No. 22-cv-2050); South
Farmingdale Water District v. United States of America, et al., (EDNY Case No. 22-cv-2051). Matt’s
efforts as lead counsel on behalf of California public entities resulted in $630 million in
infrastructure improvements to abate transboundary water contamination. City of Imperial
Beach, et al. v. International Boundary and Water Commission, et al., No. 18-cv-457-JM-JLB (S.D.
Cal.).
Over his career, Matt, frequently in tandem with public counsel, has recovered hundreds of
millions of dollars for clients. Matt understands the need to balance the public and policy
implications involved in environmental litigation and bring stakeholders together in and out of
the courtroom to achieve lasting success. Matt also has extensive experience in significant
commercial matters, involving fraud, securities, insurance bad faith, consumer, financial
litigation, and contract claims. Matt has been appointed to leadership positions in multi-party
and class actions in state and federal courts, as well as primary counsel in multiparty actions
throughout the country.
Matt’s successes led to The Recorder naming him as one of the top fifty California attorneys with
under ten years of practice (2012), and he has been named among the highest class of attorneys
for professional ethics and legal skills, with an AVPreeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell.
Matt is a 2002 graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he was
awarded the University’s highest academic honor and named class Valedictorian. He is a 2007
graduate of Hastings College of the Law where he was a member of the Law and Policy Review
and the Civil Justice Clinic.
2
Court Admissions
Matt is a member of the California, New York, and District of Columbia bars. He is admitted to
practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the First,
Second, Third, Fourth, Eighth, Ninth, and Federal Circuits and the United State Court of Federal
Claims. He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central,
and Southern Districts of California and the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
4821-3034-8690
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Corrie Yackulic is a tenacious and effective trial lawyer and
negotiator, with a deep commitment to bringing justice to her
clients. She joins Sher Edling as Of Counsel on the firm’s climate
change cases. Recognized as a Top 100 Super Lawyer in the State
of Washington, Corrie was named one of Washington’s Top 50
Female Attorneys from 2017-18. Corrie is a Fellow of the
American College of Trial Lawyers and has served as an instructor
for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA). Corrie is
Preeminent AV rated (Martindale Hubbell) by her peers for her
legal skill and legal ethics. Her abilities have yielded results for her
clients totaling in the tens of millions.
During her career, Corrie has focused on environmental tort cases involving toxic dumping,
drinking water contamination, corporate polluting, and catastrophic environmental disaster. In
one recent example, Corrie was highlighted in 2017 SuperLawyers magazine as a lead attorney in
the nation’s deadliest landslide, which killed 43 people, left survivors and loved ones forever
impacted, and forced new State regulations regarding logging in landslide-prone areas. The Oso
Landslide case, which settled moments before opening statements in trial were to begin, yielded
a $60 million-dollar settlement.
Corrie has practiced law since 1986. She graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School.
Court Admissions
Corrie is a member of the Washington bar and is admitted to practice before the United States
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and
the United States District Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington.
4821-2815-1954
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Michael Burger is the Executive Director of the Sabin Center for
Climate Change Law, and a Senior Research Scholar and
Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School in New York City. In his
Of Counsel role at Sher Edling, Michael combines his experience
as both a litigator and a legal scholar to help public agencies hold
fossil fuel companies accountable for the climate change related
damage they knowingly caused. In recent years, he has filed a
number of amicus briefs in climate cases on behalf of the
National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the
International Municipal Lawyers Association, and coalitions of
cities and mayors from across the country.
Michael is a widely published scholar, and he is author or co-author of numerous high impact
papers on climate change litigation, including State Public Nuisance Claims and Climate Change
Adaptation, The Law and Science of Climate Change Attribution, and The Status of Climate
Change Litigation: A Global Review.
Previously Michael was an associate professor at Roger Williams University School of Law, where
he was founder and director of the Environmental and Land Use Law Clinical Externship program.
He also served as a litigator in the Environmental Law Division of New York City’s Office of the
Corporation Counsel.
Michael is a graduate of Columbia Law School, where he was an articles editor for the Columbia
Journal of Environmental Law; and of Brown University, where he graduated magna cum laude.
Court Admissions
Michael is a member of the New York State bar.
4830-3951-5067
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Katie Jones has long worked to preserve our environment and
safeguard it for future generations. Her practice spans trial and
appellate experience, grounded in creative advocacy to hold
polluters accountable and achieve success for her clients.
Before joining Sher Edling, Katie was an attorney at the Sierra
Club, where she worked on a wide variety of environmental
matters, including challenges to new fossil fuel infrastructure
and cases to improve government transparency and to reduce
exposure to toxic chemicals. Previously, she clerked for
Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory J. Hobbs, Jr.
Katie received her law degree in 2014 from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law,
where she earned a certificate in environmental law and was awarded the Landis Prize for Water
Law. During law school, Katie served as an editor for the California Law Review and Ecology Law
Quarterly. Prior to attending law school, Katie worked as a Fulbright Fellow in an indigenous
community in Mexico, focusing on learning from traditional environmental knowledge to
diversify local agriculture. She is a 2008 graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign
Service.
Court Admissions
Katie is a member of the California and District of Columbia bars and is admitted to practice
before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States District
Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California.
4851-8399-8610
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
4821-1547-8162
Stephanie Biehl has dedicated her career to advocacy on behalf of
communities and individuals taking on prodigious and powerful
adversaries in complex, high-stakes litigation. She has a variety of
experience prosecuting cases from investigation through trial and
appeals and has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star
consistently throughout her practice.
Before joining Sher Edling, Stephanie was successful in obtaining
multi-million-dollar recoveries through complex cases in the
business, consumer, employment, securities, derivative, and class
action fields. She and her teams were routinely appointed Lead Counsel and Class Counsel in a
variety of state and federal cases.
Stephanie was a judicial extern for Senior District Judge Charles R. Breyer for the Northern District
of California, and she graduated cum laude from UC Hastings College of the Law. While at
Hastings, she earned her concentration in Civil Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, was
an award-winning member of the nationally-renowned Hastings Trial Team, and was the
Executive Notes Editor of the Hastings Business Law Journal.
Prior to law school, Stephanie attended Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) where she
received her B.S in Business Administration and her B.A. in Spanish Studies. She graduated
summa cum laude, as the valedictorian of her class. Stephanie also had the honor of being the
Undergraduate Commencement Speaker and receiving the highest leadership and excellence
awards from her academic schools, the Cross Country team, multiple student life groups, the
NDNU Board of Trustees, and the City of Belmont.
Court Admissions
Stephanie is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the United States
District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California.
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Tim Sloane has committed his career to fighting for the health
of the environment and the livelihoods of those who
sustainably utilize natural resources. Before joining Sher
Edling, LLP as an associate, Tim was the Executive Director of
the nonprofit Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s
Associations and Institute for Fisheries Resources (PCFFA/IFR).
At PCFFA/IFR, he advocated for sustainable natural resource
management and habitat protection for commercially
valuable marine fish species. Tim’s work bridged the legal and
political gap between conservation and consumptive use.
Prior to taking over at PCFFA/IFR, Mr. Sloane was an associate at Laughlin, Falbo, Levy and Moresi
in Oakland, California. In 2013, he earned his law degree with honors from Golden Gate
University, where he was a member of the Environmental Law Journal and GGU’s National
Environmental Law Moot Court Competition team. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of
California, Berkeley.
Court Admissions
Tim is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the United States Court
of Federal Claims and the United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central, and
Southern Districts of California.
4844-7961-7682
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Marty Quiñones has dedicated his career to serving consumers,
workers and other individuals injured by bad corporate conduct.
He has worked extensively on consumer protection cases in
California against major retailers who allegedly advertised
fictitious sale pricing to entice bargain-hunters, litigating those
cases through class certification and settlement. In 2014 and
2015, Marty took two jury trials to verdict against major tobacco
companies on behalf of the families of smokers who died from
tobacco-related diseases. Both trials resulted in liability verdicts
for the plaintiff, and significant monetary recoveries through
jury award or settlement post-verdict.
Marty also successfully represented a transgender civilian employee of the Army pro bono who
was wrongfully barred from the public women’s restroom facilities in her workplace (Lusardi v.
Dept. of the Army Appeal No. 1201133395). The decision in Ms. Lusardi’s favor is the first ruling
in any jurisdiction that declares preventing a transgender employee access to gender-appropriate
restrooms is discrimination and violates Title VII. This was a significant victory for the trans rights
community.
In 2013, Marty earned his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
where he was the supervising editor for the California Law Review, the marketing editor for the
Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law and Justice, the treasurer of the Boalt Hall Queer Caucus and a
chapter board member of Law Students for Reproductive Justice. He received his BA in Linguistics
from Brown University in 2008. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Pride Law
Fund.
Court Admissions
Marty is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the United States
Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States
District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California.
4849-4918-3122
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Ashley Campbell applies the power of law to protect the planet by
promoting sound science and amplifying the voices of scientists. She
represented the states of New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Ohio in
litigation against the manufacturers of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl
substances). She has worked on hundreds of other similar cases across
the country. She currently serves on the plaintiffs’ executive committee
of the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Multi-District Litigation (MDL No.
2873). She is co-chair of the water provider subcommittee as well as
member of the sovereign subcommittee.
Ashley focuses her practice on complex environmental contamination litigation. She has
represented clients before municipal boards, state committees, and state courts, has drafted
appeals to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and briefs to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals,
and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Before entering private practice, Ashley was a law clerk with the New Hampshire Superior Court
for three years working with judges across the state. In that role, she worked on the record-
setting New Hampshire MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether, a gasoline additive that contaminated
New Hampshire’s water resources) litigation, including its four-month jury trial, dispositive
motions, limine motions, and post-verdict motions. Ashley has been recognized as a Super
Lawyer, Super Lawyer Rising Stars, and was honored with the New Hampshire Bar Association’s
Pro Bono Honor Roll, and Union Leader’s 40 Under Forty, Class of 2018. Ashley serves on the
Board of Girls on the Run NH. When Ashley isn’t working to protect our planet, you can find her
getting muddy on some trails, training for an ultra-marathon.
Court Admissions
Ashley is a member of the New Hampshire and Arizona bars and is admitted to practice in the
United States District Court, District of New Hampshire.
4893-5371-3231
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Quentin Karpilow joined Sher Edling in August 2020, and is dedicated
to protecting the environment and frontline communities from
pollution. Before joining Sher Edling, Quentin clerked for the
Honorable Susan L. Carney of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit and the Honorable Janet C. Hall of the U.S. District Court for
the District of Connecticut.
Quentin earned his law degree from Yale, where he served as co-
director of the Yale Environmental Law Association, helped to lead
the Rule of Law Clinic in its climate-related litigation, and co-authored several law review articles
on environmental regulation. Prior to law school, Quentin worked as a research assistant at the
Brookings Institution. He graduated from Kenyon College in 2012 with degrees in Economics and
Mathematics.
Court Admissions
Quentin is a member of the District of Columbia bar and is admitted to practice before the United
States Court of Appeals for the Third, Fourth, and Ninth Circuits, and the United States District
Court, District of Columbia.
4830-7307-7947
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Jacob Polin Jacob joined Sher Edling in 2024 to focus his practice
on holding polluters accountable. He represents public entities
throughout the country in climate deception, PFAS, and water
contamination matters.
Before joining Sher Edling, Jacob represented consumers, small
businesses, and public entities suing large corporations for fraud
and large-scale property damage. In two of his favorite cases, his
teams recovered more than $200 million after extended
litigation. The first was for the People of San Francisco, following
their successful liability trial against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers, and
shortly before a second trial on how to abate the public nuisance they caused. The second was
for victims of the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill in Santa Barbara, which settled shortly before trial. Jacob’s
environmental experience also includes pursing claims for lead contaminated water in Mississippi
and Michigan, substantial expert work in fire cases, and speaking on the future of environmental
public nuisance cases at the American Bar Association’s 30th Annual Toxic Torts & Environmental
Law Conference.
During his career, Jacob has advocated for public entities—including Native American tribes—in
state and federal courts and on appeal. He has also defended the depositions of several senior
public officials. After litigating complex cases on “both sides of the v” at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart
& Sullivan, LLP and Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, he tries to bring a nuanced
perspective to representations of public entities, and the unique issues that cases on their behalf
can raise.
Jacob graduated cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law, where he was
recognized as a “Public Service Star.” He also holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from
U.C. Berkeley, where he lead its debate team to be ranked number one in the country in 2008. In
his spare time, he enjoys biking, hot yoga, and traveling.
Court Admissions
Jacob is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice in the United States Court of
Appeals for the Ninth and Second Circuits, and the United States District Court for the Northern
and Central Districts of California.
4859-3555-2164
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Gretel Lee joined Sher Edling in March 2022. Growing up in Duluth,
Minnesota, Gretel was immersed in various environmental issues during
her formative years. Living on Lake Superior led her to realize the
importance of using natural resources in sustainable, efficient ways, and
eventually toward a career in environmental advocacy. As an attorney,
Gretel has dedicated her practice to environmental compliance and
protection on behalf of public entities.
Prior to joining Sher Edling, Gretel was an environmental attorney with
the law firm of Flaherty & Hood, P.A. in St. Paul, MN. A passionate
advocate, she worked on a host of environmental issues for municipalities and joint powers
boards across Minnesota, primarily specializing in clean water and emerging contaminants work
at both the state and federal levels.
She graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2017 with a certification in
Environmental and Energy Law, where she was awarded the Mondale Engagement Award for her
leadership and student advocacy. During law school, she served as an editor for Minnesota Law’s
Journal of Law and Inequality and as a Director for the Environmental and Energy Law Clinic.
In 2014, she graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management and a
minor in social justice from the University of Minnesota. During this time, she worked as a
National Park Ranger as an invasive species management and interpretation ranger at the
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her husband and their dogs, collecting vinyl records,
studying presidential history, and cheering on various Minnesota sports teams, especially the
Minnesota Twins.
Court Admissions
Gretel is a member of the Minnesota bar.
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Heather Kryczka is an attorney dedicated to supporting the
environmental justice movement and holding polluters
accountable. She joined Sher Edling in January 2024, and is based
in Los Angeles.
Prior to joining Sher Edling, Heather worked as an attorney with
the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). As part of the
Environment, Equity, and Justice Center, she represented
environmental justice organizations and worked to address
disproportionate pollution burdens, and advocated for policies
to advance an equitable freight and goods movement system.
Heather has also previously held attorney roles at Earthjustice and Environmental Advocates. She
has experience litigating cases involving endangered species, clean water, clean air, land-use, and
public access to records.
Heather is a graduate of Stanford Law School, and Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to law
school, she worked on environmental campaigns as a grassroots organizer.
In her free time, Heather enjoys hiking, tidepooling, and creative writing.
Court Admissions
Heather is a member of the California bar.
4881-3500-5604
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Larken Yackulic joined Sher Edling because she believes social
justice begins with the environment. Prior to joining Sher Edling,
Larken worked as an advocate for housing justice in Los Angeles.
She attended law school at UCLA School of Law and is a 2018
Skadden Foundation Fellow.
Prior to attending law school, she worked as a wilderness ranger
in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Court Admissions
Larken is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the United States
District Court for the Central District of California.
4887-8800-1938
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Paul Stephan joined Sher Edling in August 2022 to help hold
polluters accountable and ensure justice for communities suffering
from pollution’s effects. Prior to joining Sher Edling, Paul was an
associate at the class action law firm of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll
PLLC. There, he litigated class actions on behalf of consumers
harmed by deceptive advertising and defective products. Previously,
he clerked for the Honorable Anne E. Thompson of the U.S. District
Court for the District of New Jersey.
Paul received his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of
Pennsylvania. While in law school, Paul led teams of students to
submit comments on proposed environmental regulations as part of the Environmental Law
Project. He also served as a Comments Editor for the University of Pennsylvania Law Review and
as Co-President of the Penn Law chapter of the American Constitution Society.
Before attending law school, Paul taught first grade and elementary school music in Newark and
Orange, New Jersey. He graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at
Buffalo in 2013, with a B.A. in Urban and Public Policy Studies, and minors in Environmental
Design, Music Performance, and French.
Court Admissions
Paul is a member of the New Jersey, Massachusetts, and District of Columbia bars and is admitted
to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Ninth Circuits, the United
States District Court for the District of New Jersey, District of Columbia, and the Eastern District
of Michigan.
4861-4415-4447
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Yumehiko “Yume” Hoshijima joined Sher Edling in September 2021 to
help secure just outcomes for its clients. He previously clerked for the
Honorable Scott M. Matheson, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Tenth Circuit and the Honorable John A. Kronstadt of the U.S. District
Court for the Central District of California.
Yume holds a B.A., magna cum laude, in Environmental Studies from Yale
College; a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of
the Environment; and a J.D. from Yale Law School. During graduate
school, Yume served as an Articles & Essays Editor of the Yale Law Journal,
advised former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as one of his inaugural fellows, led student
organizations, taught undergraduates as a Lead Teaching Fellow in Environmental Studies, and
represented clients through the Environmental Justice Clinic, Environmental Protection Clinic,
and Rule of Law Clinic. He spent his summers at Earthjustice, the Environmental Defense Fund,
and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Yume is a first-generation American born in Japan and raised in San Diego, California.
Court Admissions
Yume is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Courts of
Appeals for the Ninth and Tenth Circuits, and the United States District Court for the Northern,
Central, and Eastern Districts of California.
4817-4388-6588
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Naomi Wheeler has focused her education and career on addressing
climate change and other complex environmental challenges. She is
dedicated to advocating for communities experiencing the
environmental, social, and economic effects of these crises, while
holding polluters accountable.
Naomi was a member of Sher Edling’s inaugural class of summer
associates in 2020. She returns to Sher Edling after clerking for the
Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez, Chief Judge of the Central District of
California.
In 2021, Naomi received her law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law,
where she earned certificates in environmental law and energy and clean technology law. During
law school, Naomi served as an editor-in-chief and articles editor for Ecology Law Quarterly and
represented environmental justice organizations in California’s Central Valley through the
Environmental Law Clinic.
Prior to attending law school, Naomi worked in alumni communications for a university in Halifax,
Canada while leading various local environmental volunteer groups. Naomi graduated from
McGill University with a B.A. in political science and minors in geography and economics.
Naomi is French-American and grew up in Berkeley, California. In her free time, she enjoys hiking
and running, visiting farmers’ markets, cooking, and listening to podcasts.
Court Admissions
Naomi is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the United States
District Court for the Northern and Central Districts of California.
4895-0929-7231
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
William Liang joined Sher Edling to advocate for social justice and a
healthy environment. Before joining Sher Edling, he clerked for the
Honorable Sabrina S. McKenna of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court.
William received his J.D. from Berkeley Law School with certificates
in consumer law and social justice. He was a chair of the Consumer
Advocacy & Protection Society and an editor of the California Law
Review and Ecology Law Quarterly. In law school, William externed
at the Sierra Club and Earthjustice and was a summer associate at
Sher Edling. He also co-founded En Banc Bluegrass, a law-themed
bluegrass band.
William graduated summa cum laude from Yale University, where he majored in Ethics, Politics
& Economics with a concentration in food systems justice.
Court Admissions
William is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice in the United States District
Court, Central District of California.
4889-2700-9359
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Anna Applebaum Anna joined Sher Edling in November
2023. Her work focuses on access to civil and human rights,
including the right to a healthy environment and livable
world. Before joining Sher Edling, Anna clerked for the
Honorable Kiyo A. Matsumoto of the U.S. District Court for
the Eastern District of New York and in the Office of the Staff
Attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Anna received her J.D., cum laude, from NYU School of Law, where she served on the New York
University Law Review, received the inaugural Jacob K. Javits Fellowship for Leadership and Public
Service, and worked for the ACLU, NAACP LDF, Advancement Project, and Neufeld, Scheck &
Brustin, LLP. Prior to law school, Anna researched and published on human rights and transitional
justice in post-conflict settings. Her experience also includes non-profit work and community
organizing in Washington D.C., Rwanda, and Arkansas. Anna received her master's degree from
the Clinton School of Public Service and her B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, summa
cum laude.
Court Admissions
Anna is a member of the New York bar.
4876-8496-6296
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Miranda Holeton joined Sher Edling in October 2022 to be a zealous
advocate for people and the planet. Prior to joining the firm, she
served as a Legal Research Assistant in the Law and Motion
Department at San Francisco Superior Court.
Miranda received her J.D. magna cum laude from UC Hastings in 2021
with a concentration in environmental law. While in law school, she
served as co-president of the Hastings Environmental Law
Association, executive acquisitions editor of the Hastings
Environmental Law Journal, and board member of the Hastings Public
Interest Law Foundation, a nonprofit which provides scholarships to
law students participating in unpaid, public interest internships.
Miranda interned at the California Coastal Commission, Earthjustice, the Center for Biological
Diversity, and Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger during law school.
Prior to law school, Miranda was a park ranger at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach, CA.
She now serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, the park’s
supportive nonprofit which provides educational tours to over 2,000 school children each year.
Miranda is also an editor of the nonprofit’s quarterly newsletter, Between the Tides.
Miranda graduated from Pitzer College in 2012 with a double major in Environmental Analysis
and International & Intercultural Studies.
Court Admissions
Miranda is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the United States
District Court for the Eastern and Central Districts of California.
4877-8779-6559
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Anthony Tohmé joined Sher Edling in September 2022 to hold
corporate malefactors accountable for the damage they inflict on
vulnerable people and ecosystems. Anthony earned his J.D. from Yale
Law School, where he represented clients through the Immigrant Rights
Clinic and served on the Board of the Middle Eastern and North African
Law Students’ Association. During his summers, he interned at the
Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and Sher Edling.
Anthony holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from Rice
University. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, playing soccer, reading
about Middle Eastern history, and spending time with his cat.
Court Admissions
Anthony is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California.
4854-6015-5215
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Brittany Dutton Brittany grew up in a small Southern California
town that has been impacted by groundwater contamination for
more than six decades. She joined Sher Edling to fight for
communities impacted by environmental torts and to hold
corporate actors accountable for the harm they cause. She
received her law degree from the University of California, Los
Angeles, School of Law, where she earned a specialization in
environmental law and worked as a research assistant for the
Faculty Co-Director of the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law
and Policy. During law school, she also interned for the California
Office of the Attorney General, Sher Edling, and the NRDC litigation team.
Prior to law school, Brittany worked as an environmental policy research assistant for the Center
on Global Justice. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, San Diego,
with B.A. in Comparative Politics and a minor in Environmental Studies.
Court Admissions
Brittany is a member of the California bar.
4895-4553-3336
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Grace Koster Grace joined Sher Edling in 2023 to hold polluters
accountable and advance clean water and climate adaptation for
communities across the country. Grace earned her J.D. from the
University of California, Berkeley School of Law, with both a certificate
in environmental law and a certificate in energy and clean technology
law. During law school, she served as an editor on the California Law
Review and Ecology Law Quarterly, and worked pro bono for California
Indian Legal Services, which provides legal services for Native people
throughout the state.
Prior to law school, Grace had a career as a marine ecologist, connecting
science to community needs in the development of ocean policy. She earned her B.S and M.S. at
Stanford University’s School of the Earth, in the Earth Systems program, focused on complex
social and ecological challenges. She has worked with public agencies and conservation
organizations around the world to implement innovative solutions in the context of rapid and
heart wrenching global change.
When she’s not at the beach with her family, Grace enjoys making a mess in the kitchen and
reading historical fiction.
Court Admissions
Grace is a member of the California bar.
4883-8895-4008
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
John Lamson
For more than 25 years, John has put strategic communications to
work for the public interest. He joined Sher Edling after eight years
helping to lead Resource Media – a nonprofit PR firm operating at
the intersection of sustainability, health, equity and justice. As
Executive Vice President there, John managed the senior program
staff and partnered with the President in managing the operations,
finance and strategic planning for the organization. Prior to that,
John served as an Assistant Dean at Cornell University, managing
all communications for the College of Human Ecology and helping to build up the university’s
campus-wide communications infrastructure. Earlier in his career, John spent 10 years as Vice
President and Partner at MacWilliams, Robinson & Partners, an advertising and strategy agency
helping clients succeed in electoral and advocacy campaigns in local, national and global arenas.
After earning his BA in English from the University of Notre Dame, John got his start at Fenton
Communications and served as press secretary and spokesperson on political campaigns in the
Pacific Northwest in the mid-90’s. John serves on the board of directors at Advocates for the
West.
4861-2115-1055
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Patricia Dillman is a Pennsylvania native who has worked in the legal
field for more than 25 years providing eDiscovery and Litigation Support
services for many diverse types of matters, both in law firms and
government entities. Her role involves managing the litigation lifecycle
through the collection, processing, hosting, review, production and
presentation of the collected data. Patricia is a frequent visitor to the
many parks, beaches, mountains and lakes across the country, and she
joined Sher Edling to help 'fight the good fight.'
4860-7378-6232
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Oni Strawn is a Bay Area native and has over 10 years of civil litigation
paralegal experience. Before joining Sher Edling, she worked at a
Plaintiffs’ civil litigation law firm where her focus was primarily on
personal injury, Mass Torts, and class action cases. Oni is passionate
about protecting the environment and Sher Edling has given her the
opportunity to make a positive impact on the future of our planet. Oni
graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Political Science.
4816-8622-8673
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Elizabeth Cheung started in the legal field working as an
administrator and then later as a paralegal in a complex
plaintiff’s side litigation firm. She worked primarily on cases
relating to labor and wage violations. Elizabeth joined Sher
Edling because she admires the firm’s mission to protect the
environment for all and wanted to join in the fight. Elizabeth
grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended San
Francisco State University where she got her degree in political science.
4850-4971-5346
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Alfred Martini is a Bay Area native with over 20 years of experience
in civil litigation. Alfred has worked to protect the public’s interests in
both the private and public sectors. Experienced in all phases of
litigation, he works closely with attorneys and experts to achieve
success for the firm’s clients. Alfred was drawn to Sher Edling’s
mission of holding polluters accountable for the damage they cause.
Alfred received his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of
California, Los Angeles, and his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers School of Law. Prior to attending
college Alfred served in the United States Marine Corps. In his spare time, he enjoys being lost in
contemplation while taking long walks in nature.
4859-5056-0847
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Addison Luck is from Morgantown, West Virginia and began
working in environmental law with the nonprofit Earth Law
Center. He has primarily worked on legislation that recognizes the
rights of nature, and before joining Sher Edling spent a year as a
Samuel Huntington fellow on the Hawaiian island of Kaua‘i.
Addison is passionate about the planet and joined Sher Edling to
help make a difference. He graduated from Yale University in 2020
with a degree in Environmental Studies and History.
4852-5622-6300
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Bryant Webster is from San Diego County, where he and his
family enjoy the riches that the Southern California coastline has
to offer. He has worked to develop regulatory compliance
standards for the safe transport of hazardous materials among
larger retailers, as well as implemented training programs that
practice good brewery standards in compliance with Occupancy
Safety & Health Administration, fire, and other safety guidelines. Bryant and his family are
frequent visitors to local beaches and lagoons, as well as the national parks, and feels Sher Edling
provides the best opportunity to fight for his children’s continued enjoyment of the outdoors. He
is a 2006 graduate from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in History.
4855-8028-2703
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Gianna Qualls Gianna was born in Walnut Creek, California, but
grew up in the Philippines where she received her Bachelor of
Arts degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs. She has previous
experience in Immigration Law and Criminal Defense. Gianna
spends every minute she can outdoors, and as she has gotten
older, she realized that many of the things she loves are
endangered by pollution. This is why she joined Sher Edling, she
wants to help protect the earth and join the fight to hold polluters accountable for the damages
they have caused.
4865-8699-6344
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Julia Dietz started in the legal field as an Eviction Defense
paralegal at Colorado Legal Services, where she worked to assist
low-income Coloradans avoid unfair evictions in Denver County.
She graduated from Colorado College in 2021 with a degree in
Environmental Studies and Education, which fueled her passion
for environmental justice and preservation. Julia is an avid
outdoor recreationist and joined Sher Edling to assist in their
mission to hold large polluters accountable and to protect natural spaces for future generations.
4869-3794-0600
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Ona Bacigalupi, the Director of Operations, is a Bay Area native
who joined Sher Edling because she is drawn to the challenge
and complexity of environmental law as well as its positive
impact. In 2005, she started as a case administrator and later
became a senior paralegal for the civil litigation law firm
Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP. While there, she worked
primarily on Consumer and Securities Fraud cases. Ona received
her BS in International Business from San Francisco State University.
4814-0938-7154
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Minerva Olson grew up in the Caribbean where she volunteered for several
environmental impact initiatives. She has a passion for land and sea
adventures and wants to preserve it for future generations. Relocating to
the Bay Area, Minerva has joined Sher Edling in effort to make an impact
on holding big polluters accountable. Minerva has a BS in Business
Management and wants to expand her career into the legal field.
4888-3840-4943
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Joshua Mamalyga started working in the legal field by interning
as a JusticeCorp intern at the San Francisco Superior Court
ACCESS center. He primarily worked on Restraining Orders (Both
Domestic Violence and Civil Harassment), Small Claims, and
Legal Name and Gender Changes. Joshua joined Sher Edling to
help the fight to preserve the environment in order to provide a
brighter future for future generations. Joshua grew up in Oceanside, California and attended Mira
Costa College before transferring to San Francisco State University where he got his Bachelor’s in
Sociology with a minor in Philosophy.
4894-0260-4111
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
Anna Baria is a Bay Area native originally from Castro Valley, CA
but now resides in Pacifica. She has 6+ years of experience in the
administrative space and has worked in different industries such
as E-Commerce and Insurance. Outside of work she enjoys
exploring restaurants throughout the Bay Area and spending time
with her two French Bulldogs whether that is at the beach or
home. Anna joined Sher Edling for their love of the environment
and to preserve it.
4865-3548-1032
ATTACHMENT B
CONFIDENTIAL
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1410 − San Francisco, CA 94104
Office: (628) 231-2500 − sheredling.com
SHER EDLING LLP MISSION
Sher Edling LLP (SELLP) represents states, cities, and other public agencies in high-impact, high-
value environmental cases. We combine decades of top-level litigation and trial experience with an
unwavering dedication to holding polluters accountable for the damage they cause. Our work arises
out of our conviction that the courts provide the last even playing field to take on the biggest polluters.
Our team signed up for this work to make a difference for our clients and the world.
Representative Clients
A. Climate Clients
• State of Delaware
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• State of Minnesota
• State of New Jersey
• State of Rhode Island
• District of Columbia
• Makah Indian Tribe
• Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe
• City & County of Honolulu, HI
• City & County of San Francisco, CA
• City of Oakland, CA
• City of Santa Cruz, CA
• City of Annapolis, MD
• City of Baltimore, MD
• City of Charleston, SC
• City of Chicago, IL
• City of Imperial Beach, CA
• City of New York, NY
• City of Richmond, CA
• Anne Arundel County, MD
• County of Marin, CA
• County of Maui, HI
• County of San Mateo, CA
• County of Santa Cruz, CA
B. Water Clients
• State of California
• State of Wisconsin
• State of Maryland
• State of New Mexico
• State of Wisconsin
• State of Maryland
• State of New Mexico
• City of Belvedere
• City of Brentwood
• City of Chula Vista
• City of Clayton
• City of Concord
• City of East Palo Alto
• City of Foster City
• City of Hercules
• City of Imperial Beach
• Albertson Water District
• Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority
• Bethpage Water District
• Carle Place Water District
• East Bay Municipal Utility Authority
• Franklin Square Water District
• Garden City Park Water District
• Greenlawn Water District
• Jericho Water District
• Locust Valley Water District
• Manhasset-Lakeville Water District
• Oyster Bay Water District
• Plainview Water District
• Port Washington Water District
• Rio Linda Elverta Community Water
District
• Ridgewood Water
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• City of Lafayette
• City of Larkspur
• City of Martinez
• City of Menlo Park
• City of Mill Valley
• City of Millbrae
• City of National City
• City of Novato
• City of Oakland
• City of Oakley
• City of Orinda
• City of Pacifica
• City of Patterson
• City of Philadelphia
• City of Pinole
• City of Pittsburg
• City of Pleasant Hill
• City of Redwood City
• City of Riverbank
• City of San Bruno
• City of San Carlos
• City and County of San Mateo
• City and County of Santa Cruz
• City of San Pablo
• City of San Rafael
• City of San Ramon
• City of Sausalito
• City of Turlock
• City of Walnut Creek
• Contra Costa County
• County of Marin
• Roslyn Water District
• South Farmingdale Water District
• South Huntington Water District
• Suffolk County Water Authority
• Sacramento Suburban Water District
• Town of Hempstead
• Town of Huntington / Dix Hills Water
Department
• Town of Riverhead
• Town of Pittsboro
• Town of Atherton
• Town of Colma
• Town of Corte Madera
• Town of Danville
• Town of Fairfax
• Town of Hillsborough
• Town of Moraga
• Town of Portola Valley
• Town of Ross
• Town of San Anselmo
• Town of Tiburon
• Town of Woodside
• Village of Garden City
• Village of Hempstead
• Village of Mineola
• Village of Williston Park
• Village of Sands Point
• Water Authority of Great Neck North
• Water Authority of Western Nassau County
• West Hempstead Water District
• Westbury Water & Fire District
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CLIMATE CHANGE LITIGATION EXPERIENCE
Current Representations
Climate Change
Sher Edling currently represents the following public entities in litigation over fossil fuel industry
deception about climate change.
• State of Rhode Island (RI; 2018)
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts (MA,
2019)
• State of Delaware (DE; 2020)
• State of Minnesota (MN; 2020)
• State of New Jersey (NJ; 2022)
• District of Columbia (DC; 2020)
• City of Baltimore (MD; 2018)
• City of Charleston (SC; 2020)
• City of Chicago (IL; 2024)
• City of Richmond (CA; 2018)
• City of Santa Cruz (CA; 2017)
• City of Imperial Beach (CA; 2017)
• City of New York (NY; 2021)
• City of Oakland (CA; 2018)
• City of Annapolis (MD; 2021)
• City & County of San Francisco (CA; 2018)
• City & County of Honolulu (HI; 2020)
• County of Maui (HI; 2020)
• Anne Arundel County (MD; 2021)
• Santa Cruz County (CA; 2018)
• Marin County (CA; 2017)
• San Mateo County (CA; 2017)
• Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe (WA; 2023)
• Makah Indian Tribe (WA; 2023)
County of San Mateo v. Chevron Corp., et al., No. 17-civ-03222 (San Mateo County, CA) (filed July 17,
2017); County of Marin v. Chevron Corp., et al., No. Civ. 17-02586 (Marin County, CA) (filed July 17,
2017); City of Imperial Beach v. Chevron Corp., et al., No. C17-01227 (Contra Costa County, CA) (filed July
17, 2017); County of Santa Cruz v. Chevron Corp., et al., No. 17-cv-03242 (Santa Cruz County, CA) (filed
Dec. 20, 2017); City of Santa Cruz v. Chevron Corp., et al., No. 17-cv-03243 (Santa Cruz County, CA)
(filed Dec. 20, 2017); and City of Richmond v. Chevron Corp., et al., No. CIVMSC18-00055 (Contra Costa
County, CA) (filed Jan. 22, 2018). Opinion affirming remand to state court: Cnty. of San Mateo v. Chevron
Corp., 32 F.4th 733 (9th Cir. 2022), cert. denied, 2023 WL 3046226 (U.S. Apr. 24, 2023). These six cases
assert claims for public nuisance, products liability, negligence, trespass, and failure to warn against
members of the fossil fuel industry for climate change injuries arising out of the defendants’ deceptive
conduct. They seek relief in the form of abatement, damages, punitive damages, and disgorgement of
profits.
The People of the State of California, by and through the City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco v.
BP, P.L.C. et al., No. No. CGC-17-561370 (San Francisco County, CA) (filed Sept. 19, 2017); and The
People of the State of California, acting by and through the Oakland City Attorney v. BP, P.L.C. et al., No. RG-
17-875889 (Alameda County, CA) (filed Sept. 19, 2017). See City of Oakland v. BP PLC, 969 F.3d 895
(9th Cir. 2020) (reversing denial of motion to remand), City of Oakland v. BP PLC, 2023 WL 8179286
(9th Cir. Nov. 27, 2023) (affirming remand). These cases assert a claim for public nuisance against
members of the fossil fuel industry for climate change injuries and seek abatement.
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Mayor & City Council of Baltimore v. BP P.L.C. et al., No. 24-C-18-004219 (Baltimore City, MD) (filed
July 20, 2018), 952 F.3d 452, 467 (4th Cir. 2020), cert. granted, No. 19-1189, 2020 WL 5847132 (U.S.
Oct. 2, 2020), 31 F.4th 178 (4th Cir. 2022) (affirming remand), cert. denied, 143 S. Ct. 1795 (2023). This
case asserts claims for public nuisance, product liability, negligence, trespass, and failure to warn
against members of the fossil fuel industry for injuries arising out of rising sea levels and disruptions
to the hydrologic cycle (extreme heat, precipitation, drought, and wildfire). The case also asserts that
defendants violated Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act. The case seeks abatement, damages,
punitive damages, and disgorgement of profits.
State of Rhode Island v. Chevron Corp., et al., No. PC-2018-4716 (Providence/Bristol County, RI) (filed
July 13, 2018), Rhode Island v. Chevron Corp., 35 F.4th 44 (1st Cir. 2022) (affirming remand), cert. denied,
143 S. Ct. 1796 (2023). This case asserts claims for public nuisance, product liability, negligence,
trespass, and failure to warn against members of the fossil fuel industry for injuries arising out of rising
sea levels and disruptions to the hydrologic cycle (extreme heat, precipitation, drought, and wildfire).
The case seeks abatement, damages, punitive damages, and disgorgement of profits.
City and County of Honolulu v. Sunoco LP, et al., No. 1CCV-20-0000380 (First Circuit, HI) (filed March 9,
2020), 39 F.4th 1101 (9th Cir. 2022) (affirming remand), cert. denied, 143 S. Ct. 1795 (2023). This case
asserts claims for public and private nuisance, strict liability for failure to warn, negligent failure to
warn, and trespass against members of the fossil fuel industry for injuries arising out of rising sea levels
and disruptions to the hydrologic cycle (extreme heat, precipitation, drought, and wildfire). The case
seeks abatement, damages, punitive damages, and disgorgement of profits. In October 2023, the
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s denial of the defendants’ motions to dismiss for lack
of personal jurisdiction and for failure to state a claim. See City & Cnty. of Honolulu v. Sunoco LP, 537
P.3d 1173 (Haw. 2023); cert. pets. pending sub nom. Sunoco LP, et al. v. City & Cnty. of Honolulu, No. 23-947
(U.S.), Shell PLC, et al. v. City & Cnty. of Honolulu, No. 23-952 (U.S.).
State of Minnesota v. American Petroleum Institute, et al., No. 62-cv-20-3837 (Ramsey County, MN) (filed
June 24, 2020), 63 F.4th 703 (8th Cir. 2023) (affirming remand), cert. denied, 2024 WL 72389 (U.S. Jan.
8, 2024). The State of Minnesota, by its Attorney General, Keith Ellison, seeks to hold defendants
American Petroleum Institute, ExxonMobil Corp. entities, Koch Industries and its affiliates for
deliberately undermining the science of climate change, purposefully downplaying the role that the
purchase and consumption of defendants’ products played in causing climate change and its
catastrophic consequences. The State seeks injunctive relief, equitable relief, civil penalties, and
damages, together with costs and disbursements including costs of investigation, for violations of the
law of Minnesota respecting unfair, discriminatory, and other unlawful practices in business,
commerce, or trade.
District of Columbia v. Exxon Mobil Corp., et al., D.C. Superior Court No. 2020 CA 002892 B (D.C.
Superior Court, D.C.) (filed June 25, 2020), 640 F. Supp. 3d 95 (D.D.C. 2022) (granting remand),
appeal filed, No. 22-7163 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 30, 2022), 89 F.4th 144 (D.C. Cir. 2023) (affirming
remand). This case asserts that defendants violated the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act
by misrepresenting and omitting information material to DC consumers’ decisions to purchase
defendants’ fossil fuel products. The District seeks injunctive relief, civil penalties, costs, and
restitution.
City of Charleston v. Brabham Oil Company, Inc., et al., No. 2020CP1003975 (Charleston County, SC) (filed
Sept. 9, 2020), No. 2:20-cv-03579-RMG (D.S.C. July 5, 2023), remand granted & appeal filed, No. 23-
1802 (4th Cir. Aug. 3, 2023). This case asserts claims for public nuisance, private nuisance, strict
CONFIDENTIAL
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liability for failure to warn, negligent failure to warn, trespass, and violations of the South Carolina
Unfair Trade Practices Act against members of the fossil fuel industry for injuries arising out of climate
change related impacts. The case seeks abatement, damages, punitive damages, and disgorgement of
profits.
State of Delaware v. BP America Inc., et al., No. N20C-09-097 (Delaware Superior Court, DE) (filed Sept.
10, 2020); 45 F.4th 699 (3d Cir. 2022) (affirming remand), cert. denied, 143 S. Ct. 2483 (2023). The State
of Delaware filed a climate-change related impacts complaint against fossil fuel Defendants and the
country’s largest oil trade association for climate change related impacts. The State seeks damages,
punitive damages, and penalties.
County of Maui v. Sunoco LP, et al., No. 2CCV-20-0000283 (Second Circuit, HI) (filed Oct. 12, 2020); 39
F.4th 1101 (9th Cir. 2022) (affirming remand), cert. denied, 143 S. Ct. 1795 (2023). The County of Maui
filed a climate-change related impacts complaint against fossil fuel Defendants. This case asserts claims
for public nuisance, private nuisance, strict liability for failure to warn, negligent failure to warn, and
trespass and seeks damages, punitive damages, and abatement.
City of Annapolis v. BP P.L.C., et al., No. C-02-CV-21-000250 (Anne Arundel County, MD) (filed Feb.
22, 2021); 2022 WL 4548226 (D. Md. Sept. 29, 2022) (granting remand), appeal filed, No. 22-2082 (4th
Cir. Oct. 14, 2022), 94 F.4th 343 (4th Cir. 2024) (affirming remand). The City of Annapolis filed a
climate-change related impacts complaint against fossil fuel Defendants. This case asserts claims for
public nuisance, private nuisance, strict liability for failure to warn, negligent failure to warn, trespass,
and violation of Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act. The City seeks damages, punitive damages,
and abatement.
Anne Arundel County v. BP P.L.C., et al., No. C-02-CV-21-000565 (Anne Arundel County, MD) (filed
Apr. 26, 2021); 2022 WL 4548226 (D. Md. Sept. 29, 2022) (granting remand), appeal filed, No. 22-2082
(4th Cir. Oct. 14, 2022) 94 F.4th 343 (4th Cir. 2024) (affirming remand). Anne Arundel County filed
a climate-change related impacts complaint against fossil fuel Defendants. This case asserts claims for
public nuisance, private nuisance, strict liability for failure to warn, negligent failure to warn, trespass,
and violation of Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act. The County seeks damages, punitive damages,
and abatement.
The City of New York v. Exxon Mobil Corp. et al., No. 451071/2021 (New York County, NY) (filed Apr.
22, 2021), removed to District Court No. 21-cv-04807 (Dist. of New York May 28, 2021); 2024 WL
2091994 (S.D.N.Y. May 8, 2024). The City of New York asserts that Defendants violated the City’s
Consumer Protection Law and asserts claims for engaging in deceptive trade practices.
Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, et al., v. Exxon Mobil Corp. et al., No. MER-
L-001797-22 (Mercer County, NY) (filed Oct. 18, 2022); 2023 WL 4086353 (D.N.J. 2023) (granting
remand). The State of New Jersey asserts that Defendants violated the State’s Consumer Fraud Act
and asserts claims for engaging in deceptive trade practices.
Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al., No. 23-2-25215-2 SEA (King County, WA)
(filed Dec. 20, 2023), removed to District Court No. 24-cv-00158 (Western District of WA, Mar. 7,
2024) (motion to remand pending). The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe asserts claims for public nuisance
and violation of Washington’s Product Liability Act.
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Makah Indian Tribe v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al., No. 23-2-25216-1 SEA (King County, WA) (filed
Dec. 20, 2023), removed to District Court No. 24-cv-00157 (Western District of WA, Mar. 7, 2024)
(motion to remand pending). The Makah Indian Tribe asserts claims for public nuisance and violation
of Washington’s Product Liability Act.
City of Chicago v. BP P.L.C., et al., No. 2024CH01024 (Cook County, IL) (filed June 20, 2024), removed
to District Court No. 24-cv-2496 (Northern District of IL, Mar. 28, 2024). The City of Chicago asserts
claims for strict liability for failure to warn, negligent failure to warn, negligence, public nuisance,
private nuisance, nuisance, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment, consumer fraud, misrepresentations in
connection with sale or advertisements of merchandise, and recovery of City costs of providing
services.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Exxon Mobil Corp., No. 1984-CV-03333-BLS1 (Suffolk County, Ma)
(filed October 24, 2019). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts asserts claims under the
Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, alleging that Defendant Exxon Mobil Corp. deceptive
systematically and intentionally has misled Massachusetts investors about material climate-driven risks
to its business and has deceived consumers about the central role its fossil fuel products play in causing
climate change.
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OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION EXPERIENCE
Current Representations
PFAS
Sher Edling currently represents certain states, cities, and public water providers in cases seeking
damages for PFAS contamination of natural resources and drinking water wells. Plaintiffs assert a
variety of state law tort claims against the manufacturers of PFAS chemicals and the products that
contain or are manufactured with those toxic perfluorinated compounds.
States
• State of California (CA, 2022)
• State of Wisconsin (WI, 2022)
• State of Maryland (MD, 2023)
• State of New Mexico, (NM, 2023)
• State of Oregon (OR, 2023)
• State of Rhode Island (RI, 2023)
• State of Washington (WA, 2023)
• State of Hawaii (HI, 2023)
Public Water Providers
• Suffolk County Water Authority (NY;
2017)
• Roslyn Water District (NY; 2018)
• Port Washington Water District (NY; 2018)
• Ridgewood Water (NJ; 2018)
• Water Authority of Western Nassau County
(NY; 2019)
• Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority
(NJ; 2019)
• Village of Garden City (NY; 2019)
• Garden City Park Water District (NY;
2019)
• Carle Place Water District (NY; 2019)
• Village of Mineola (NY; 2019)
• Bethpage Water District (NY; 2019)
• Water Authority of Great Neck North (NY;
2019)
• Town of Hempstead (NY; 2020)
• Village of Sands Point (NY; 2020)
• Manhasset-Lakeville Water District (NY;
2020)
• Town of Riverhead (NY; 2021)
• Town of Huntington (NY; 2021)
• Sacramento Suburban Water District (CA;
2022)
• State of Wisconsin (WI, 2022)
• City of Philadelphia (PA, 2022)
• East Bay Municipal Utility District (CA,
2022)
• Franklin Square Water District (NY; 2023)
• Town of Pittsboro (NC, 2023)
• The Borough of Hawthorne (NJ, 2023)
• Albertson Water District (NY, 2023)
• Greenlawn Water District (NY, 2023)
• Jericho Water District (NY, 2023)
• Plainview Water District (NY, 2023)
• Locust Valley Water District (NY, 2023)
• Oyster Bay Water District (NY, 2023)
• Village of Williston Park (NY, 2023)
• Westbury Water & Fire District (NY, 2023)
• South Farmingdale Water District (NY)
• South Huntington Water District (NY)
In addition, Sher Edling has various leadership roles in In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products
Liability Litigation (the “AFFF MDL”), a national Multi-District Litigation concerning certain PFAS-
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related cases assigned to Judge Richard Gergel in Charleston, S.C. Judge Gergel has appointed
Stephanie Biehl of SELLP to the Executive Committee, where she co-chairs the Public Water Supplier
Committee of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in that MDL. Ms. Biehl also leads the AFFF MDL
ESI team—the largest contamination MDL in the country—and is also the Co-Chair of the Discovery
Committee in that MDL.
1,4-Dioxane
Sher Edling represents the State of New Jersey, as well as public water providers on Long Island,
including Suffolk County Water Authority, the nation’s largest supplier of public drinking water from
groundwater, in litigation to recover damages for 1,4-dioxane contamination of drinking water wells
and natural resource damages. The lawsuits assert claims against the manufacturers of 1,4-dioxane and
products containing 1,4-dioxane.
• Suffolk County Water Authority (NY; 2017)
• Roslyn Water District (NY; 2018)
• Garden City Park Water District (NY; 2018)
• Port Washington Water District (NY; 2018)
• Bethpage Water District (NY; 2018)
• Manhasset-Lakeville Water District (NY;
2018)
• Oyster Bay Water District (NY; 2018)
• Jericho Water District (NY; 2018)
• Locust Valley Water District (NY; 2018)
• Albertson Water District (NY; 2018)
• Westbury Water & Fire District (NY; 2019)
• Water Authority of Western Nassau County
(NY; 2019)
• Franklin Square Water District (NY; 2019)
• West Hempstead Water District (NY; 2018)
• Carle Place Water District (NY; 2018)
• Water Authority of Great Neck North (NY;
2018)
• South Farmingdale Water District (NY;
2019)
• Plainview Water District (NY; 2019)
• Village of Mineola (NY; 2019)
• Village of Williston Park (NY; 2019)
• Village of Garden City (NY; 2019)
• Town of Huntington/Dix Hills Water
Department (NY; 2019)
• Greenlawn Water District (NY; 2019)
• South Huntington Water District (NY;
2019)
• Village of Hempstead (NY; 2019)
• Town of Hempstead (NY; 2019)
• State of New Jersey (NJ; 2023)
• Town of Pittsboro (NC)
• Water Replenishment District of Southern
California (CA)
TCP
Sher Edling attorneys have successfully litigated cases on behalf of water suppliers seeking damages
for TCP contamination of drinking water wells for nearly fifteen years.
• City of Patterson, CA (2019; TCP well
contamination)
• City of Turlock, CA (2019; TCP well
contamination)
• City of Riverbank, CA (2019; TCP well
contamination)
• California Water Service Company and
City of Bakersfield, CA (2003 – 2016;
TCP well contamination)
• Hawaii Water Service Co. (2003-2008;
TCP and DBCP)
• City of Livingston, CA (2005 – 2011;
TCP well contamination)
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• Sacramento Suburban Water District
(2019; TCP well contamination)
• City of Oceanside, CA (2005 – 2011;
TCP well contamination)
• California Water Service Company
(2003 – 2016; MTBE, TCP, PCE/TCE
well contamination)
• City of Wasco, CA (2005-2013; TCP
well contamination)
• City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale
Redevelopment Agency, CA (2008 –
2011; PCE/TCE groundwater and soil
contamination)
PCBs
Sher Edling represents three counties surrounding San Francisco Bay and many municipalities in those
counties in litigation against the modern successors of the “old” Monsanto Company. The claims
relate to the impairment of the Bay with polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”), which have required
and will require the counties and municipalities to spend substantial stormwater infrastructure and
maintenance costs to prevent further flows of PCBs into the Bay. Monsanto’s successors removed the
case from state court to federal court, and Sher Edling successfully secured remand of the cases back
to state court. Sher Edling then defeated the defendants’ demurrers (state-court motions to dismiss)
and motions to strike. The cases are now entering discovery.
• County of San Mateo, et al. v. Monsanto Company, No. 22-civ-01667
(CA Superior Court of County of San Mateo, filed on April 21, 2022)
• The County of Contra Costa, et al. v. Monsanto Company, No. C22-02818
(CA Superior Court of County of Contra Costa, filed on December 21, 2022)
• The County of Marin, et al. v. Monsanto Company, No. CIV2202843
(CA Superior Court of County of Marin, filed on September 3, 2022)
Transboundary Water Pollution
City of Imperial Beach et al. v. IBWC, Veolia North America (S.D. Cal. no. 18-cv-457-JM-JMA (filed March
2, 2018). Sher Edling represents the cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista California, as well as the
Port of San Diego, which sought equitable relief and damages related to transboundary water
contamination against the International Boundary Water Commission and Veolia Water North
America. The case resolved via settlement and directly spurred a $300 million appropriation for
pollution control infrastructure.
Hexavalent Chromium
Sacramento Suburban Water District v. United States, No. 17-cv-00860-RHH (Fed. Cl., filed June 23, 2017);
Rio Linda Elverta Community Water District v. United States, No. 17-cv-00859-RHH (Fed. Cl., filed June
23, 2017); Sacramento Suburban Water District v. Elementis Chromium, Inc., No. 2:17-cv-01353-KJM-CKD
(E.D. Cal., filed June 30, 2017); Rio Linda Elverta Community Water District v. United States, No.
2:17−CV−01349−KJM−CKD (E.D. Cal., filed June 30, 2017). Sher Edling represents two water
districts that seek damages and response costs for hexavalent chromium contamination of drinking
water wells resulting from releases at a nearby former U.S. Air Force base. The litigation consists of
two parallel actions: a suit in the Eastern District of California where the districts assert a CERCLA
claim against the United States; and a suit in the Court of Federal Claims where the districts assert a
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Takings Clause claim, also against the United States. The Eastern District of California denied the
United States’ motion to dismiss as to the CERCLA claim. Although the Court of Federal Claims
initially granted the United States’ motion to dismiss the Takings Clause claim, Sher Edling LLP
obtained a reversal of that dismissal in the Federal Circuit. The Eastern District of California action is
currently in fact discovery; the Court of Federal Claims action is stayed in light of the Eastern District
of California action.
CERCLA Administrative Matters
Sher Edling represents private and public entities across the country against corporate and other
federal governmental entities in administrative adjustment of potential liability under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Cleanup, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. § 9601
et seq. These matters atypically rise out of legacy and ambient contamination on or connected to
federal property impacting public entities soil and/or groundwater.
• California Dep’t of Toxic Substances Control
• City of Chula Vista
• City of National City
• Bethpage Water District
• South Farmingdale Water District
SELECTED PRIOR REPRESENTATIONS
• City of St. Louis (MI) v. Velsicol Corp. In 2006, the City retained Vic Sher to address DDT-related
contamination leaking from a failed Superfund remedy at the former Velsicol facility in St. Louis,
Michigan. Investigation revealed that pCBSA had already reached many of the City’s wells. The
case settled in 2011 with the City recovering $26.5 million to fund a new water system.
• In re MTBE Products Liability Litigation (City of New York) v ExxonMobil, 725 F.3d 65 (2nd Cir. 2013).
In 2008, the City of New York asked Vic Sher to assume the lead trial counsel role in the City’s
case against the oil industry over MTBE contamination of wells in Queens, the first to proceed to
trial in a nationwide multidistrict litigation. In 2009, a four-month federal jury trial resulted in a
verdict for the City of $104.7 million, with a total recovery of more than $125 million. The Second
Circuit affirmed in all respects in 2013. Mr. Sher also was designated by the court as national co-
lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the related federal multidistrict litigation, In Re: MTBE Products
Liability Litigation.
• State of New Hampshire v. ExxonMobil, 168 N.H. 211, 126 A.3d 266 (N.H. 2015). In 2003, the New
Hampshire Attorney General retained Vic Sher as lead outside counsel to prosecute the first
statewide case to recover the costs of MTBE contamination. Over most of the next decade, Mr.
Sher guided the case as it prepared for trial. First, the oil companies tried to transfer the case to
federal court; Mr. Sher argued the case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that
sent the matter back to state court where it belonged. Then, Mr. Sher prepared the expert and
legal approach that allowed the State to prove its case against the oil companies on a landscape
basis without getting bogged down in impossible intricacies of individual sites. The oil companies
challenged virtually every aspect of the case, including the State’s rights to recover costs related to
private wells and the ability to prove its case based on expert evidence of the extent of
contamination. Ultimately, the State recovered more than $140 million in pretrial settlements, and,
in the largest trial ever held in the State of New Hampshire, the jury awarded more than $236
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million against ExxonMobil. The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed the jury verdict in
2015 (and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review).
• In re MTBE Products Liability Litigation (S.D.N.Y. 2003 – 2011). This multi-district litigation over
public well contamination by the gasoline additive MTBE included more than 150 cases from
around the country. The District Court designated Vic Sher as one of three co-lead counsels for
the plaintiffs. Most of the cases settled against most of the defendants in 2008 for an aggregate
$423 million cash payment plus a “safety net” for future well impacts. Mr. Sher’s clients –public
water agencies located in California – received more than $108 million from the group settlement.
• In re Methanex (NAFTA Tribunal). In 2004 the U.S. Department of State retained Vic Sher as a
consultant on the environmental and expert aspects of an international trade case brought by
Methanex, a Canadian manufacturer of MTBE that claimed California’s ban of MTBE because of
concern over groundwater contamination violated NAFTA’s free trade provisions. The matter
was resolved against Methanex in 2005.
• South Lake Tahoe Public Utility District v. Atlantic Richfield Co., et al. Vic Sher was a senior member of
the trial team on this landmark MTBE case, which settled in August 2002. The Utility District
brought an action against a manufacturer of MTBE (Lyondell), the California refiners who
supplied gasoline containing MTBE, and several local gasoline station owner/operators. The case
went to trial starting in September 2001 against six non-settling defendants. In April 2002, the jury
returned a special verdict on refiner/manufacturer liability, finding that MTBE and gasoline
containing MTBE were defective products, and that Shell and Lyondell Chemical had acted with
“malice” by failing to disclose the significant hazards associated with the use of MTBE in gasoline.
The matter finally settled in August 2002 for a total of more than $69 million.
• City of Santa Monica v. Shell, et al. Vic Sher served as lead outside co-counsel in the MTBE lawsuit
relating to the City's Charnock well field, which provided about 40% of the City’s drinking water
(a total of about 7,500 gallons per minute (“gpm”) peak capacity). MTBE contamination forced
the City to shut down the wells and well field in 1996. Government agencies identified about thirty
potential source sites (current or former retail gasoline stations and two oil company pipelines)
within a one and one-quarter mile radius of the well field. The City filed suit in June 2000 against
the manufacturers of MTBE and the refiners of gasoline containing MTBE based upon causes of
action for products liability, negligence, nuisance, and trespass. In 2003 the City achieved a
landmark settlement with all but one defendant, Shell, which settled in 2006. Under the
settlements, the City received approximately $130 million in cash plus the full costs of
constructing, operating, and maintaining an MTBE treatment facility to clean Santa Monica’s
water, with a total overall settlement value of about $500 million.
• City of Pomona, CA v. SQMNA. The City retained Vic Sher to address perchlorate contamination
from historic use of Chilean nitrate fertilizer on surrounding citrus crops. Mr. Sher argued the
successful appeal of the trial judge’s exclusion of expert testimony on stable isotopic analysis and
related issues, City of Pomona v. SQM North America Corp., 750 F.3d 1036 (9th Cir. 2014), and helped
try the case in 2015 (the Ninth Circuit recently reversed a defense verdict).
• County of Maui Board of Water Supply v. Dow Chemical et al. (DBCP). DBCP, a soil fumigant used
widely in Hawaii (and elsewhere) on pineapple and other crops, contaminated and threatened the
County of Maui's public drinking water wells located around the Island. Vic Sher (with his then
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firm Miller & Sher) represented the plaintiff. A 1999 settlement with the chemical manufacturers
resolved the County's lawsuit and provided the County with a 40-year guarantee of all costs
associated with designing, building, installing, maintaining and operating granular activated carbon
(GAC) facilities on any County well that either is currently contaminated or becomes contaminated
during the 40-year life of the settlement.
• Hawaii Water Service Co. v. Dow Chemical Co. et al. (DBCP, TCP). In 2003 HWSC retained Vic Sher
in connection with DBCP and TCP contamination of the wells that supply the Kaanapali Resort
on Maui, HI. DBCP and TCP came from applications of soil fumigants manufactured by Dow
Chemical and Shell Chemical to pineapple fields up-country from the Resort’s water supply. The
matter resolved favorably in 2008. Vic Sher was also lead counsel on a series of TCP cases in
California’s Central Valley, including on behalf of the communities of Oceanside, Livingston,
Shafter, and Bakersfield.
• City of Riverside v. Shell Oil Co. et al. (DBCP). Growing plumes of DBCP impacted a large number
of wells in the City of Riverside’s public water system. In 2001, the chemical manufacturers settled
the City’s litigation by paying $4.1 million and agreeing to provide all costs associated with treating
DBCP-contaminated drinking water in currently contaminated wells or wells that become
contaminated in the future. To date, the City has built two large combined GAC treatment facilities
under the settlement, treating a combined flow of approximately 15,000 gpm, and the City
anticipates needing a substantial number of additional wells treated over the 40-year life of the
agreement either individually or in additional centralized treatment facilities.
• City of Riverside/Lockheed Martin (TCE). TCE from a Lockheed Martin defense facility impacted
wells in the City of Riverside's public water system. Vic Sher helped the City negotiate a settlement
(without the need for a lawsuit) under which Lockheed Martin has paid all costs of treating wells
contaminated with TCE from this plume.
• Lake Davis Rotenone Contamination. A program to eradicate pike from Lake Davis, California, by the
California Department of Fish & Game went horribly awry. Vic Sher represented Plumas County
in negotiations that ultimately led the Legislature to appropriate more than $9 million for public
and private damages suffered from the lake poisoning.