Professional Experience
Peter Nyquist is a partner and practice group leader of Weston Benshoof�s Environmental Strategies & Litigation department. His multi-faceted practice focuses exclusively on environmental law, encompassing a broad array of compliance, administrative and litigation matters on behalf of private and public sector clients.
Mr. Nyquist advises clients in all aspects of contaminated sites, including complex CERCLA and RCRA litigation and compliance matters, regulatory and reporting requirements, environmental due diligence for real estate and corporate transactions, and the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites. As noted in Chambers USA (2007), Mr. Nyquist "draws compliments for his ability in working with regulators. Brownfield redevelopments are an area of palpable strength for him."
Mr. Nyquist also represents clients in complex federal and state Superfund proceedings, including negotiating definitive agreements addressing cost allocation and remedy implementation. His broad environmental litigation experience extends to federal and state courts, including prosecuting and defending cost recovery, toxic tort and citizens� suit claims. See, e.g., Carson Harbor Village, Ltd. v. Unocal Corp., 287 F. Supp 2d. 1118, aff�d at 433 F. 3d 1260 (9th Cir. 2006).
He also advises clients regarding compliance with statewide and municipal NPDES storm water permit requirements. This representation has included administrative appeals and writs of mandamus challenging agency directives and permit requirements.
In 2004, the SuperLawyers publication named Mr. Nyquist a "Rising Star," representing the top attorneys under 40 in Southern California. Since 2005, he has been named a "Super Lawyer" in environmental law. In 2007, Mr. Nyquist was identified in Who�s Who Legal: California and Chambers USA as among California�s foremost legal practitioners in the environmental practice area. Mr. Nyquist is "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Mr. Nyquist�s clients have included the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, Allied Waste, BP, Boeing, ConocoPhillips, Continental Airlines, DIRECTV, Dynegy, Hess, InterGroup Investments, Los Angeles Unified School District, Solar Turbines, Stonebridge Holdings, Unocal, and Westfield.
Mr. Nyquist was born and raised in Los Angeles, and resides in the Kentwood bluffs area of Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters.
Education
University of California, Davis, J.D. 1995
Executive Editor, U.C. Davis Law Review
Co-Chair, Trial Practice Honors Board
University of California, Los Angeles, B.A. (magna cum laude; College Honors), 1991
Professional Memberships & Activities
Member, DTSC�s Brownfield Revitalization Advisory Group (2006-2007)
Executive Committee Member, LACBA Environmental Law Section (2006-2007);
Chair, Fall Environmental Symposium Committee (2007)
Member, State Bar of California Environmental Law Section (1998-Present)
Speaking Engagements/Publications
Moderator, "Cross-Media Contamination: New Legal Theories and Evolving Regulatory Authority," MCLE Presentation, Los Angeles County Bar Association Environmental Law Section, Los Angeles (June 2008)
"DTSC�s Green Chemistry Initiative: What `Cradle-to-Cradle� Regulation of Chemicals Will Mean For Your Clients," Los Angeles County Bar Association Environmental Law Section Fall Symposium, Santa Monica (November 2007)
"Supreme Court Holds That PRPs Can Seek Recovery of Voluntary Cleanup Costs Under CERCLA" (Update re United States v. Atlantic Research decision (June 2007))
"Brownfield Smorgasbord," Los Angeles County Bar Association Environmental Law Section Fall Symposium, Santa Monica (November 2006)
"Careers in Environmental Law," USC Law School Career Forum (October 2006)
"Legal Viewpoints on Groundwater Contaminants," ACWA Conference for Water Professionals, Lake Tahoe, NV (September 2004);
CMAA Stormwater Seminar, Long Beach (January, 2004);
"Private CERCLA Plaintiffs Must Demonstrate NCP Consistency, Even for Smaller Site Cleanups," Environmental Liability, Enforcement & Penalties Reporter (November, 2003);
"Trends in Environmental Enforcement," West Coast PTTC Workshop (December 6, 2002);
"Is the Door Slammed Shut?: A Recent California Decision Shows How Res Judicata & Collateral Estoppel Principles May Apply To The Discovery of New Contamination," Environmental Liability, Enforcement & Penalties Reporter (June, 2002).
Published Decisions
Carson Harbor Village, Ltd. v. Unocal Corporation, 433 F. 3d 1260 (9th Cir. 2006)
Carson Harbor Village, Ltd. v. Unocal Corporation, 287 F. Supp. 2d 1118 (C.D. Cal 2003)
In the Matter of the Petition of The Boeing Company, Order WQ 2006-002
In the Matter of the Petition of The Boeing Company, Order WQ 2006-007 |