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Los Angeles Real Property Contamination and Remediation Attorneys

Are You in Need of an Environmental Attorney?

Environmental contamination can destroy the value of commercial real estate, delay development projects, trigger government enforcement actions, and expose property owners to overwhelming cleanup costs. Whether you are purchasing industrial property, developing land, operating a commercial facility, or facing allegations of hazardous contamination, legal guidance is critical from the very beginning.

Peterson Law Group PC represents California property owners, developers, commercial landlords, investors, and businesses in complex environmental and real property disputes throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.

Our environmental attorney understands how environmental laws intersect with commercial real estate, land use, business operations, and regulatory compliance. We work to protect our clients from unnecessary liability while helping them move projects forward.

Our attorneys provide:

• Sophisticated litigation representation
• Strategic risk assessment
• Real estate and land use knowledge
• Strong trial advocacy
• Practical business-focused counsel
• Experience handling technically complex disputes

Why Choose Us Over Other Environmental Lawyers in Los Angeles?

When contamination issues threaten your property, investment, or business operations, experienced legal representation matters. John S. Peterson is a highly respected California trial attorney with decades of experience representing property owners, businesses, developers, and landowners in complex real estate, eminent domain, land use, environmental, and business litigation matters.

Clients choose our firm because we understand the intersection of environmental law, real estate law, and business litigation. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Since 2001, we have been successfully handling complex real property, environmental, and business litigation matters throughout Southern California
• Named “Lawyer of the Year” in Los Angeles by Best Lawyers for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, reflecting the highest standards of legal ability and professional ethics
• Selected for inclusion in Southern California Super Lawyers from 2011 to present based on peer reviews and independent research
• Elected Member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
• Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognizing substantial trial results and litigation success
• Trusted by property owners, developers, and businesses to handle high-stakes contamination, land use, and environmental liability disputes

Facing Environmental Cleanup Costs?

Environmental claims can become extremely expensive without immediate legal guidance. Call (213) 236-9720 to find out how we can help.

What Is an Environmental Lawyer?

An environmental lawyer handles legal matters involving pollution, contamination, land use restrictions, hazardous materials, remediation obligations, and environmental regulations. In the real estate context, environmental attorneys often represent clients dealing with contaminated commercial property, regulatory investigations, cleanup obligations, toxic exposure claims, and disputes involving environmental liability.

Environmental law combines several highly technical areas, including real estate law, land use law, regulatory compliance, administrative law, construction law, insurance coverage, business litigation, and toxic tort litigation.

Environmental attorneys frequently work with engineers, geologists, environmental consultants, toxicologists, appraisers, and remediation specialists to evaluate contamination issues and determine legal exposure.

In California, environmental matters often involve agencies and statutes such as:

• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
• Regional Water Quality Control Boards
• South Coast Air Quality Management District
• California Hazardous Waste Control Law
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

The legal and financial consequences of environmental violations can be severe. Cleanup expenses alone may reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Businesses may also face operational shutdowns, civil penalties, third-party lawsuits, and diminished property value.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Environmental disputes are often technical, document-heavy, and aggressively contested. Property owners and businesses that attempt to handle these issues without experienced legal counsel frequently make mistakes that increase liability and weaken their position.

Peterson Law Group PC assists clients with both preventive legal strategies and active environmental disputes. Our firm helps clients evaluate risk, understand obligations, preserve defenses, and pursue practical legal solutions.

Environmental attorneys can assist with:

• Reviewing environmental reports and assessments
• Conducting legal due diligence before property purchases
• Negotiating environmental indemnity provisions
• Responding to agency investigations
• Managing remediation and cleanup disputes
• Defending against toxic tort claims
• Pursuing cost recovery from responsible parties
• Resolving landlord-tenant environmental disputes
• Handling environmental insurance issues
• Litigating contamination and nuisance claims

The earlier an attorney becomes involved, the greater the opportunity to minimize exposure and avoid expensive litigation.

Common Sources of Contamination in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a long industrial history, and many contamination issues stem from oil production, manufacturing operations, transportation facilities, and other heavy industrial activities. Waste generated by these operations may contain hazardous substances such as petroleum hydrocarbons, toxic chemicals, salts, and heavy metals that can contaminate soil and groundwater.

Oil extraction and drilling activities, including fracking operations, may also contribute to environmental contamination concerns. Chemical releases and improper waste handling associated with these activities can create significant environmental and public health risks if not properly managed and remediated.

Large-scale agricultural operations are another common source of contamination throughout California. Modern fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides often contain chemicals that do not naturally break down in the environment. Over time, these substances may seep into soil and water supplies, potentially affecting agricultural land, groundwater quality, and nearby communities.

Improper disposal of biological waste, sewage, and hazardous materials can also contaminate land and water sources. Although landfills, sewage treatment systems, and waste disposal facilities are designed to manage these materials safely, failures in containment, transportation, storage, or disposal practices can allow dangerous toxins and pollutants to spread into surrounding environments.

Real Estate Transactions and Due Diligence

Environmental due diligence is one of the most important aspects of any commercial real estate transaction. Buyers who fail to investigate contamination risks properly may inherit substantial legal and financial liabilities after closing.

Peterson Law Group PC assists clients with environmental due diligence for:

• Industrial property acquisitions
• Commercial property sales
• Development projects
• Multi-property transactions
• Leasing agreements
• Brownfield redevelopment
• Financing transactions

Our attorneys help clients identify potential red flags before transactions are finalized. When contamination is discovered, we work to negotiate protections that reduce future exposure.

Liability Protection

One of the primary reasons to hire an environmental attorney is to reduce or limit liability exposure. Environmental laws often impose strict liability, meaning property owners can be held responsible even if they did not directly cause the contamination.

For example, a business may purchase property years after a chemical release occurred yet still face cleanup obligations under state or federal law. Similarly, landlords may become involved in contamination disputes caused by former tenants.

Environmental liability can include:

• Cleanup costs
• Government penalties
• Property damage claims
• Toxic exposure lawsuits
• Business interruption losses
• Natural resource damages
• Diminished property value

A strategic legal approach early in the process can substantially reduce long-term financial exposure.

Contract Negotiation

Environmental issues frequently arise during negotiations involving property sales, leases, construction projects, and development agreements. Poorly drafted contracts can expose parties to unnecessary risk and expensive future disputes.

Our attorneys assist clients with drafting and negotiating environmental provisions involving:

• Indemnification
• Cleanup responsibilities
• Environmental warranties
• Disclosure obligations
• Allocation of remediation costs
• Insurance requirements
• Access agreements
• Regulatory compliance obligations

Clear contractual language is essential when contamination is suspected or known. Many environmental disputes originate from vague or incomplete agreements that fail to address future liability properly.

Environmental Problems Delaying Your Development Project?

Our attorneys help developers and property owners navigate complex contamination and remediation issues. Call (213) 236-9720 to learn more today.

Remediation and Cleanup Management

Cleanup projects are often expensive, disruptive, and heavily regulated. Businesses and property owners may face pressure from agencies, neighboring property owners, lenders, insurers, or tenants to resolve contamination quickly.

Environmental remediation can involve soil excavation, groundwater treatment, vapor mitigation systems, hazardous waste removal, asbestos abatement, lead remediation, long-term site monitoring, and institutional controls.

Legal representation during remediation is important because cleanup decisions may significantly affect future liability and costs. Peterson Law Group PC works with environmental consultants and technical experts to help clients:

• Respond to agency directives
• Evaluate remediation proposals
• Manage cleanup obligations
• Negotiate remediation agreements
• Protect redevelopment opportunities
• Avoid unnecessary remediation expenses

Regulatory Compliance

California maintains some of the strictest environmental regulations in the country. Businesses that fail to comply with environmental requirements may face investigations, enforcement actions, permit problems, and civil penalties.

Environmental compliance issues may involve:

• Hazardous waste handling
• Air emissions
• Water discharges
• Stormwater compliance
• Underground storage tanks
• Industrial operations
• Construction activities
• Hazardous materials transportation

Regulatory agencies have broad enforcement authority and may issue administrative orders, notices of violation, cleanup directives, civil penalties, permit revocations, and injunctive actions.

Peterson Law Group PC helps clients proactively address compliance concerns before violations escalate into major disputes. We also represent businesses responding to investigations and agency enforcement actions throughout Southern California.

Cost Recovery and Litigation

Environmental contamination disputes often involve major disagreements regarding responsibility for cleanup expenses. When one party pays more than its fair share of remediation costs, litigation may become necessary.

Environmental cost recovery claims can arise between current and former property owners, landlords and tenants, neighboring businesses, developers and contractors, manufacturers and distributors, and insurance carriers.

Peterson Law Group PC represents clients in environmental litigation, involving:

• CERCLA cost recovery claims
• Contribution actions
• Property contamination disputes
• Nuisance claims
• Trespass claims
• Breach of contract disputes
• Environmental indemnity litigation
• Insurance coverage litigation

Cost Allocation

One of the most contested issues in environmental cases is determining who should pay for cleanup and remediation costs.

Environmental contamination often develops over many years and may involve multiple businesses, operators, or owners. Determining liability allocation requires careful legal and factual analysis.

Courts and agencies may consider factors such as:

• Ownership history
• Operational control
• Volume of hazardous substances
• Duration of contamination
• Cooperation with cleanup efforts
• Contractual agreements
• Insurance coverage

Toxic Torts & Enforcement Defense

Environmental contamination can also lead to toxic tort litigation. These lawsuits often involve allegations that exposure to hazardous substances caused bodily injury, illness, property damage, or reduced property value.

Toxic tort claims may involve:

• Industrial chemicals
• Petroleum contamination
• Mold exposure
• Asbestos
• Lead
• Air pollution
• Groundwater contamination
• Toxic vapors

These cases are often highly technical and aggressively litigated. Plaintiffs may seek substantial damages for medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and punitive damages.

Peterson Law Group PC represents businesses and property owners facing environmental enforcement actions and toxic tort claims. Our firm works to challenge unsupported allegations, evaluate scientific evidence, and protect clients from excessive liability.

Case Result

Eminent Domain in Los Angeles

Initial government offer: $4,600,000

Awarded: $7,100,000

In a complex analysis that included environmental issues and a highest and best use theory of the property, Peterson Law Group PC represented the owner of a former streetcar maintenance facility that was being operated as a multi-use income property.

Speak With a Trusted Environment Attorney in Los Angeles

Environmental contamination disputes can expose businesses and property owners to serious legal and financial risks. Whether you are facing regulatory enforcement, contamination claims, cleanup obligations, or complex commercial real estate issues, Peterson Law Group PC works to protect our clients’ rights, investments, and long-term business interests while pursuing practical and effective legal solutions.

Call (213) 236-9720 to find out how we can help.

Environmental Attorney FAQs

What does an environmental attorney do?

An environmental attorney helps property owners, developers, businesses, and investors handle legal issues involving contamination, hazardous materials, pollution claims, regulatory compliance, remediation obligations, and environmental litigation.

When should I contact an environmental lawyer?

You should contact an environmental attorney as soon as contamination is discovered, a government agency contacts you, a property transaction raises environmental concerns, or you face allegations involving hazardous substances or pollution.

Can I be held liable for contamination I did not cause?

Under California and federal environmental laws, property owners may face liability even if prior owners or tenants caused the contamination. An attorney can help evaluate defenses and potential liability protections.

What is environmental due diligence in a real estate transaction?

Environmental due diligence involves investigating potential contamination risks before purchasing or leasing commercial property. This often includes reviewing Phase I and Phase II environmental reports, historical property records, and regulatory databases.

What types of contamination cases does Peterson Law Group PC handle?

Peterson Law Group PC handles matters involving soil contamination, groundwater pollution, hazardous waste, petroleum releases, asbestos, mold, lead, toxic tort claims, remediation disputes, and environmental enforcement actions.

What happens if a regulatory agency investigates my property or business?

Environmental agencies may issue notices of violation, cleanup directives, fines, or enforcement actions. Legal representation is important to protect your rights, manage communications, and reduce potential liability.

Who pays for environmental cleanup costs?

Responsibility for cleanup costs depends on several factors, including ownership history, contractual agreements, operational control, and the source of contamination. Multiple parties may share liability in some cases.

Can environmental contamination affect property value?

Yes. Contamination can significantly reduce property value, interfere with financing, delay development projects, and make commercial property more difficult to sell or lease.

What are toxic tort claims?

Toxic tort claims involve allegations that exposure to hazardous substances caused illness, injury, property damage, or other losses. These cases often involve complex scientific and environmental evidence.

As the founder of Peterson Law Group PC, Mr. Peterson has built a reputation for handling sophisticated, high-stakes disputes throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, and Southern California.

Meet Our Environmental Attorney

John S. Peterson

John S. Peterson is widely recognized for his work in eminent domain and inverse condemnation litigation, where he advocates for property owners facing government takings, land damage, access restrictions, and other property-rights disputes. His practice also includes complex commercial real estate litigation, environmental contamination matters, land use conflicts, and business disputes involving industrial, commercial, and large-scale real estate interests.

Known for his strategic approach and courtroom advocacy, John has successfully represented clients in matters involving substantial financial exposure and technically complex legal issues. He understands that real estate and business disputes can significantly impact investments, operations, and long-term financial stability, and he works aggressively to protect his clients’ interests both inside and outside the courtroom.