- Representing an industrial company and landowner in connection with sediment contamination at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site in Oregon.
- Representing a multinational energy company regarding CEQA compliance for the transformation of a refinery to the largest renewable fuels facility in the world, including consideration of land use, environmental permitting, and related litigation for the project.
- Advising an international transportation and logistics company on environmental matters throughout the country, including strategy for compliance and enforcement matters across multiple states and EPA regions.
- Defending a private university against state common law claims filed by a city alleging historical contamination from a federally-funded research and development center operated by the university has impacted the city’s drinking water supply wells.
- Representing a multinational manufacturing company in assessing potential liability under CERCLA and in communications with EPA.
- Represented an energy company in responding to a State Water Resources Control Board order to investigate and sample for PFAS.
- Advised a battery company by evaluating product materials, identifying requirements for handling and recycling across multiple jurisdictions, and assisting with contract drafting.
- Represented a property owner in researching and identifying land use regulations and environmental permits applicable to winery and residential uses.
Senior Associate,
- Phone: +1 415 243 1056
- Email: megan.ault@alston.com
Megan’s knowledge of California and federal environmental laws and regulations allows her to provide practical counsel to clients navigating this complex legal terrain.
Megan Ault advises clients on cost recovery matters; federal and state regulatory compliance involving the EPA, the California State and Regional Water Boards, and the California Air Resources Board; and land use issues under the California Environmental Quality Act. Clients rely on Megan’s experience with complex environmental programs including CERCLA, RCRA, and the Clean Water Act to meet their litigation, enforcement, project development, and remediation needs.
Megan previously served as a law clerk to the Hon. Stephanie D. Thacker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Megan received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Duke University, where she served as an executive editor of the Duke Law Journal, co-president of the Environmental Law Society, and a student attorney for the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Clinic. While at Duke, Megan worked as a legal extern with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.
Megan is recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for Environmental Law.
Bar Admissions
- California
Education
- Duke University (J.D., 2018)
- University of Pittsburgh (B.A., 2012)
Memberships
- American Bar Association – Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources: Outreach Committee, vice chair
- American Bar Association – Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources: Waste & Resource Recovery Committee, vice chair
- American Bar Association – Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources: Superfund & Cost Recovery Committee, vice chair
- Bar Association of San Francisco
- Environmental Law Institute, Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI-ELI)
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources
- Litigation
- Environmental Litigation
- Land Use
- Environmental Compliance, Permitting & Transactions
- Brownfield Contaminated Sites
- Hazardous Materials & Hazardous Waste Compliance
- Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)
- Perfluoroalkyl & Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)