Erin Bernstein Leads Discussion on Environmental Justice Through Affirmative Litigation

In October 2023, BBS founder Erin Bernstein spoke to the California Lawyers Association 2023 Environmental Law Conference, addressing the large gathering on a panel entitled “Public Entity Pursuit of Environmental Justice Through Affirmative Litigation.”  Joining Erin on the panel were Greta Hansen (County of Santa Clara’s Chief Operating Officer), Matt Edling (Partner and Co-Founder, Sher Edling LLP), and Dan Krainin (Principal, Beveridge & Diamond).

The panel discussed the powerful litigation tools that public entities in California can use to combat environmental harms both large and small, and the strategic considerations and pitfalls underlying such litigation.  Erin drew upon her background litigating California’s foundational and cutting-edge public nuisance cases, including the decades-long lead paint litigation, recent suits to combat the opioids epidemic, and the more recent climate change litigation brought by San Francisco and Oakland.