Alston & Bird has expanded its environmental litigation capabilities with the addition of Jeffrey Dintzer as partner and Matthew Wickersham as counsel in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Both join from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
“Environmental litigation has long been a key practice for the firm, particularly in litigation and regulatory rich California,” said Nicki Carlsen, Alston & Bird partner who is based in Los Angeles and co-chair of the firm’s Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources Group. “Both Jeffrey and Matt are esteemed, talented attorneys who reflect and enhance our strong environmental litigation brand and reputation. They have played significant roles on the front lines of state environmental litigation and regulation, and they will be sought-after counsel for clients seeking sound strategic advice on complex legal challenges at the intersection of law and business.”
Dintzer focuses on administrative proceedings and traditional civil litigation involving the environment, land use entitlements, and oil and gas. In particular, his experience representing oil and gas producers translates into insights and practical advice valued by clients dealing with agency oversight and in civil disputes. He has significant experience in defending large toxic tort cases and class action litigation involving hundreds of plaintiffs. He also has substantial experience managing private cost recovery litigation in state and federal court and substantial trial experience in cases involving environmental claims.
A frequent writer on a wide range of environmental issues, Dintzer co-authored a chapter on “Cleanup Liability and Cost Recovery” in the seminal guide California Environmental Law and Land Use Practice, published by Matthew Bender. He is a member of the Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Environmental Section and former clerk to Chief Judge Alicemarie H. Stotler of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
“Jeffrey has a masterful command of the substantive and strategic aspects of environmental litigation based on nearly 30 years of experience helping clients navigate ultra-sensitive dispute and enforcement proceedings,” said Doug Arnold, Alston & Bird partner and co-chair of the firm’s Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources Group. “He will be a strong advocate for clients as they seek to balance their business and stakeholder interests with competing demands from regulators and lawmakers.”
Matthew Wickersham’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, with an emphasis on environmental litigation and regulatory practice. He represents clients in a wide variety of federal and state environmental litigation, including toxic tort litigation, cost recovery cases, citizen lawsuits, enforcement actions, California Environmental Quality Act litigation, and land use disputes. He also has experience handling complex discovery and motion practice, trial preparation, and post-trial matters.
“Jeffrey’s and Matt’s arrival underscores our strategy of focusing on high-performing practices in markets where we see opportunity for adding top talent to further serve our clients,” said Thomas Wingard, partner in charge of Alston & Bird’s Los Angeles office. “Alston & Bird has long had a reputation as a preeminent destination for environmental law both in California and nationally, and Jeffrey and Matt will be outstanding additions to what is already an outstanding practice.”