Department profile
Environment
USA Guide 2026 : California
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
For nearly six decades, Sheppard has guided clients through a myriad of expanding environmental law requirements. Working with clients across industries, our environmental attorneys counsel on high-stakes environmental litigation and regulatory matters, complex permitting, and deal work, and provide crisis response services.
Our national, multidisciplinary team is comprised of more than 40 attorneys with deep experience in litigation, real estate, land use, energy, corporate, and tax law. Together, we take a holistic approach to evaluating and addressing our clients’ environmental needs. Our deep knowledge and skillset, coupled with our proven track record, earned us the recognition of Environmental Practice Group of the Year by Law360 in 2022.
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Work Highlights
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Sheppard Mullin defended Soco West in a water contamination case alleging that releases of various volatile organic compounds at the sites have contaminated groundwater in the area and threatened drinking water.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Sheppard Mullin is highly responsive, consistently delivering timely and thoughtful communication. Its team excels at providing well-researched, strategic guidance tailored to our specific needs.
Environment respondentUSAThe lawyers provide detailed responses and very prompt answers that respond well to both legal questions and business perspectives.
Environment respondentUSAThe firm provides practical and reasonable solutions and helps with resolving litigation swiftly.
Environment respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 3 
Band 3 Jeffrey Parker
Jeffrey Parker is co-leader of the firm's environment group. He is a trial lawyer with notable experience litigating in the environment space with particular knowledge of environmental toxic tort matters.
Jeffrey is outstanding. He is responsive, he listens and he provides practical solutions.
Environment respondentUSAJeffrey demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape.
Environment respondentUSAJeffrey is an outstanding professional. He demonstrates a strong commitment to client service by providing timely and comprehensive responses.
Environment respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 Nicholas van Aelstyn
San Francisco-based Nicholas van Aelstyn has significant experience handling a broad range of environmental matters including rulemaking, compliance and enforcement. He has notable expertise in the California Cap-and-Trade program. Band 4 
Band 4 Whitney Jones Roy
Whitney Jones Roy is a well-regarded litigator with deep environmental expertise. She handles a variety of cases, ranging from alleged contamination to CERCLA matters.
She is fantastic.
Environment respondentUSAWhitney is great. She is a standout lawyer.
Environment respondentUSAWhitney is one of the best environmental attorneys. She is keenly aware of the procedural and factual issues and important details. She is always a pleasure to work with.
Environment respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP (3)
California
Jeffrey Parker
Environment
View profile Nicholas van Aelstyn
Environment
View profile Whitney Jones Roy
Environment
View profile
Members
Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Jeffrey Parker
Head of Department
Whitney Jones Roy
Head of Department
Olivier Theard
Zachary Norris
Whitney Jones Roy
View profile of Whitney Jones RoyNicholas van Aelstyn
View profile of Nicholas van AelstynJeffrey Parker
View profile of Jeffrey Parker
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