In California, the issues presented by waste management are highly charged. Archer Norris counsels on regulatory compliance and strategic business opportunities for solid waste companies. We manage the full spectrum of political sensitivities as we negotiate franchise agreements, rate applications and permits for solid waste facilities. Our experience also includes private and public-private financing of solid waste facilities, mergers and acquisitions.

Focused on Full Resources for Waste Management Companies

Our Waste Management practice combines the firm’s resident skills in business, environmental, real estate and land use. These aggregated resources help us reach viable solutions to virtually every type of problem facing our clients in the waste management industry.

Protecting Clients Interests Before California Authorities and Courts

Our waste management clients’ cases may be decided by a variety of authorities, including local governments, land use agencies and franchising agencies. We represent clients’ interests before all these governing bodies - cities, counties and regional agencies, State of California Department of Toxic Substance Control and California Integrated Waste Management Board.

Archer Norris assists clients in every substantive area of law that bears on solid waste management issues, from strategically counseling in commercial transactions, agreements and the public bid process to offering a litigation bench with hundreds of trials to their credit. 

Advising on Landfill Closures and Hazardous Cleanup

Clients also seek our expertise on landfill closure and post-closure funding for landfills. In addition, we address the large and complex body of regulations governing the management and cleanup of hazardous materials.

Supported by Environmental Law Muscle

Our environmental law attorneys negotiate virtually every aspect of the complex financial, transactional, regulatory and litigation issues connected to state and federal environmental laws. We have participated in sophisticated public and private financings for solid waste facilities. Our practice scope encompasses state and federal Superfund programs, health hazard litigation, substance remediation and liability, Resource Conservation Recovery Act, Federal Clean Water Act, and issues involving Regional Water Quality Control Board and Prop 65.

Creating Legal Context for Business Opportunity

In the competitive California marketplace, Archer Norris attorneys endeavor to provide solid waste clients with advantageous legal strategies. Many of our attorneys serve or have served in both private and public capacities and on boards and commissions. This real world experience enriches our perspectives and benefits clients. Specialists in key areas such as contracts, transactions, real estate, finance, corporate, and employment support our practice.

Counsel to Solid Waste Facilities

• Counsel to Solid Waste Facilities - Represent solid waste clients in connection with permitting and operating landfills, transfer stations, processing facilities, corporation yards, composting facilities, and other solid waste related facilities.
• Sale of Family-Owned Waste Company - Negotiated and implemented inter-family sale of an integrated solid waste company and related assets involving multiple generations of owners. The transaction involved virtually every aspect of the solid waste business and negotiation of a significant credit facility.

Contractual Issues

• Contract Enforcement - Enforced a multimillion dollar put-or-pay disposal contract.

Recycling Claims

• Defeat Claim Against Recycler – Dismissed a municipality’s claims against our client that alleged failure to pay certain CRV funds.
• Recyclables Litigation - Recovered millions of dollars litigating a claim for a solid waste company against its competitor for delivery of excessively contaminated mixed recyclables.

Public Contract Bidding

• Public Contract Bidding – Represented a private solid waste company in a hard- fought public bid process for one of the largest residential recycling collection and processing contracts in the nation.

Sale of Family-Owned Waste Company

• Negotiated and implemented inter-family sale of an integrated solid waste company and related assets involving multiple generations of owners. The transaction involved virtually every aspect of the solid waste business and negotiation of a significant credit facility.

Solid Waste Litigation

• Garbage Rate Hike - Sued a city in Northern California to compel an increase in garbage rates back in the early 1990s.
• Generators Lawsuit - Won millions of dollars in a generators lawsuit on behalf of a Class One landfill.

Fast Facts

• Archer Norris has been actively defending a variety of insured and self-insured defendants in asbestos litigation for more than two decades. The number of cases defended to completion is well in excess of 1,000.
• Environmental attorneys skilled at negotiating in the complex arena of state and federal environmental laws, particularly with regard to water quality and contaminants. They can, and have, litigated to the U.S. Supreme Court.