Sam Falcon Trimbach
Partner
Sam provides sophisticated counsel on a comprehensive range of environmental matters, guiding clients through the complex landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. His practice is centered on assessing environmental risk in corporate transactions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and representing clients in litigation and enforcement.
Key Matters
ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION
- Represented a global materials science company in an environmental indemnification dispute regarding alleged contamination and violations of environmental laws and permits at seventeen locations across the globe.
- Represented an aerospace company with respect to a claim brought under the Clean Water Act regarding discharges from its manufacturing facility in California.
- Member of a team that defended a client with respect to CERCLA and contract-based claims regarding a formerly owned facility in North Carolina.
- Representing food and beverage and consumer product clients with respect to claims brought under California Proposition 65.
- Represented an advanced manufacturing company with respect to a claim brought under the Clean Water Act related to stormwater discharges from its manufacturing facility in California.
- Member of a team that defended a global mining and metals company with respect to CERCLA and contract-based claims regarding a formerly owned facility in California.
ENERGY PROJECTS
- Represents global bank lenders in financing transactions regarding renewable energy projects (solar, wind, and battery energy storage) being constructed throughout the United States, including conducting environmental and permitting diligence and negotiating financing agreements, permitting opinions, and ancillary documents.
- Represents project developers with respect to the development and construction of energy projects (cogeneration, solar, and battery energy storage) throughout the United States.
SUSTAINABILITY
- Provides strategic advice to clients with respect to climate and sustainability reporting requirements under federal and state law, including SEC regulations and California’s climate reporting laws.
- Assists clients with drafting voluntary ESG and sustainability reports and with reviewing related internal control processes.
- Assists clients with determining obligations under state Extended Producer Responsibility laws related to packaging materials and single use food service items.
COMPLIANCE
- Assists clients with environmental permitting and compliance activities associated with constructing new manufacturing facilities and expanding operations at existing facilities throughout the United States, including under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, and EPCRA.
- Represented a solar equipment manufacturer with respect to RCRA compliance associated with recalled and end-of-life products.
- Representing a luxury goods manufacturer in enforcement proceedings with a state environmental regulator related to alleged non-compliance with a facility’s individual wastewater discharge permit under the NPDES/SPDES program.
- Represented a global automotive manufacturer in enforcement proceedings with a state environmental regulator related to alleged non-compliance with a facility’s Title V air permit.
- Represented a retailer in enforcement proceedings related to alleged FIFRA violations associated with disinfecting wipes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASES
- Assisted a global metal manufacturer with responding to the accidental release of over 5,000 gallons of industrial lubricant from a manufacturing facility, a portion of which reached a nearby storm drain and ultimately a nearby waterway.
- Assisted a food manufacturer related to a train derailment that included the release of approximately 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
- Assisted a materials science company with responding to an unintentional wastewater bypass of approximately 8,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater.
- Assisted a food manufacturer related to an unintentional wastewater bypass to a nearby stream and a related claim received from a downstream neighbor.