Cornerstone represents Californians and consumer groups in enforcement actions arising from chemical exposures, contaminated products, and tainted real property — areas where regulatory familiarity and considered litigation posture meaningfully change outcomes.
Scope of Practice
Our environmental work is concentrated in matters that combine consumer-protection theory with toxic-substance evidence: enforcement of Proposition 65 warning obligations, public-nuisance and trespass claims arising from migration of contaminants, and toxic-tort claims tied to chronic or acute exposure.
We accept cases where there is a clearly identifiable defendant, demonstrable exposure, and a result that materially benefits the client or the broader public. We decline matters where the science or the chain of causation is too speculative to support sustained litigation.
Proposition 65
Proposition 65 — formally the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 — requires businesses to provide clear and reasonable warnings before knowingly exposing Californians to listed chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. The statute creates a private right of enforcement, which makes specialized counsel essential.
- Notice-of-violation drafting and 60-day pre-suit procedure
- Settlement valuation and structuring of compliance obligations
- Monitoring and follow-up enforcement
Toxic Torts
Toxic-tort matters require building a record that links a specific exposure to a specific injury — through industrial hygiene, toxicology, and medical-causation evidence. We work closely with retained experts to establish exposure pathways, dose, and injury attribution sufficient to survive Daubert challenge and present at trial.
Contamination of Real Property
Where contamination has migrated onto residential or commercial property, common-law theories — trespass, nuisance, and negligence — often supplement statutory remedies. We pursue both the abatement and the compensatory components: cleanup, diminution of value, and consequential damages.
Federal & State Agencies We Routinely Reference
- EPA — Federal environmental enforcement and standards (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act).
- FDA — Drug, device, food, and cosmetic safety; recall and adverse-event databases.
- CPSC — Consumer product safety standards and recall actions.
- USDA / FSIS — Meat, poultry, and egg safety; organic standards.
- OEHHA — California’s Proposition 65 list and risk-assessment guidance.
Considering an enforcement action?
Send a brief description of the product, exposure, or property at issue. We will respond within one business day with an honest read on viability and next steps.
How We Engage
Initial review is complimentary and confidential. If we accept the matter, the principal attorney remains your point of contact from notice through resolution.
