Andrew W. Homer

Partner

Location
San Diego
Phone number
(858) 795-0426
Location
Los Angeles
Phone number
(213) 547-4931

Andrew Homer advises public and private clients on environmental risks and opportunities. His practice spans environmental litigation, permitting, compliance counseling, and transactional support under federal and state environmental laws.

Andrew represents clients in high-value environmental litigation and enforcement actions, leveraging both legal acumen and technical knowledge to craft compelling narratives for judges, juries, and adjudicators. Beyond litigation, he has extensive experience with government investigations, administrative proceedings, environmental review, project approvals, and business transactions with environmental components.

Having served as in-house counsel for the largest investor-owned water utility in the United States, Andrew draws on his significant in-house and industry experience to bring a practical, client-focused approach to his work. He also advises on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, ESG disclosure, and California municipal law, and frequently leads multidisciplinary teams serving businesses of all sizes.

Andrew maintains an active pro bono practice, regularly representing indigent clients seeking asylum and other relief from removal.

“My work focuses not only on solving problems, but doing so in a way that creates synergies that allow my clients to simultaneously address environmental concerns, maximize environmental opportunities, and achieve sustainability goals.”

Representing the State of Maryland and all State agencies in bringing claims for costs and damages resulting from the DALI’s allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Port of Baltimore in March 2024.

Represent states, ports and other institutional plaintiffs seeking recovery and/or contribution and natural resource damages for significant historical contamination.

Conduct internal investigation for water system operator in connection with possible violations of environmental laws by former employee, including voluntary self-disclosure to California State Water Resources Control Board and cooperation/defense in connection with State’s parallel investigation.

Represent numerous states, municipalities, investor-owned water utilities, and industrial clients as plaintiffs in products liability and related litigation seeking cost recovery and damages caused by lawful use of materials that include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”).

Advise large biotech company on wastewater issues throughout California, including NPDES and National Pretreatment Program permitting and compliance and associated enforcement activity.

Represent largest wholesale nursery in California with respect to water rights and water supply transactions.

Represent small and large California school districts on environmental matters, including but not limited to Toxic Substances Control Act and Safe Drinking Water Act compliance and litigation.

Represent acquiring parties and targets with respect to environmental issues in complex mergers and acquisitions, including but not limited to deals involving companies in the natural resource industries.

Advise manufacturers and retailers with respect to nationwide chemical regulatory requirements, including requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act, California’s Proposition 65, and nationwide toxics in packaging laws.

Advise national retailers, distributors, and manufacturers on compliance with CalRecylce’s Extended Producer Responsibility / Product Stewardship programs and regulations, including but not limited to compliance with the California Mattress Stewardship Law.

Represent developer of low-income housing in connection with Brownfields transactions and site remediation.

Negotiate resolution of liability to United States and multiple states in connection with largest oil spill in U.S. history, including $20MM in Supplemental Environmental Projects.

Defend major financial institution in connection with threatened CERCLA enforcement action and counterclaims against the United States for cleanup at historical mining facility.

Represent major U.S. water utility in permitting and related litigation for large desalination facility.

Negotiate multi-party / stakeholder application to amend State Water Resources Control Board Cease-and-Desist order.

Recommended in the US Legal 500 for his work in the Environment Litigation area, 2021-2024.

Industrial Environmental Association, Sustainability Committee, co-chair

American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources - Superfund and Natural Resource Damages Litigation Committee, past vice-chair

California Lawyers’ Association, Environmental Law Section