Cases
Experience: Representative Litigation Experience: Exide Technologies v. Department of Toxic Substance Control : (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BS143369): Mr. O'Neil was co-lead trial counsel in an administrative trial relating to airborne emissions
alleged leakage from stormwater sewers at the Exide Technologies lead battery recycling facility in Vernon, California. Mr. O'Neil obtained a temporary restraining order
a preliminary injunction against the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, which reversed an order that the DTSC had issued that shut down the lead battery recycling facility with no notice.
Carlton Sullins, an individual, Rita Sullins, an individual,
Don-Sul, Inc., a California Corporation, v. Exxon/Mobil Corporation, a New Jersey Corporation (United States District Court, Northern District Of California Court Case No. 4:08-cv-04927-CW): Mr. O'Neil represented defendant Exxon Mobil Corporation in a lawsuit brought by an owner of contaminated property in Livermore, California. Mr. O'Neil tried the case before a jury in Oakl
, California in the summer of 2010. Exxon Mobil obtained a defense verdict.
Carrier Corporation v. Detrex Corporation (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. C703625).: Mr. O'Neil represented the defendant in a $100 million lawsuit brought by a subsidiary of the United Technologies Corporation. Plaintiff alleged that Detrex negligently designed
installed a large industrial degreaser,
that the defendant's negligence resulted in the contamination of a groundwater aquifer in the San Gabriel Valley. Mr. O'Neil tried the case over three months in 1994
1996
won a defense judgment for Detrex.
Lori Lynn Moss, et al. v. Venoco, Inc., et al.: (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC 297083).: Mr. O'Neil represents an independent oil company in a toxic tort case brought by Erin Brockovich
Edward Masry of movie fame. The plaintiffs alleged that exposure to benzene had resulted in a cancer cluster among former students of Beverly Hills High School. Mr. O'Neil's client
the other defendants obtained summary judgment in their favor.
Bodycote Thermal Processing, Inc., Plaintiff v. Union Bank Of California, as Executor of the Estate Of Joseph Claus Collins, Deceased, et al. (United States District Court Case No. CV-05-6163-R): Mr. O'Neil represented Union Bank of California, as Executor of the Estate of Joseph Collins. The plaintiff in this CERCLA action alleged that the Collins Estate had contaminated a property in Inglewood with chlorinated hydrocarbons. Mr. O'Neil settled the case upon highly favorable terms for Union Bank
the Collins Estate.
Slauson Boyle Venture, a California general partnership, v. USPCI, INC., a Delaware corporation
Chemclear, Inc. of Los Angeles, a Delaware corporation
Chemclear, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation
Clean Harbors, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, et al.: (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC 047822): Mr. O'Neil represented the owner of a hazardous waste transfer, storage
disposal facility in a breach of contract action against the seller of the facility. The case involved complicated permitting matters
environmental compliance matters. Mr. O'Neil settled the case on terms that were highly favorable to his client, Clean Harbors.
Ring Trading Corporation v. The City of Santa Monica : - (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC 172044): Mr. O'Neil represented the owner of a mobile home park in the City of Santa Monica, which the City wanted to close for environmental reasons. Mr. O'Neil negotiated a successful settlement through which his client, Ring Trading Corporation, sold the mobile home park to the City. The lawsuit involved the alleged migration of l
fill gas from a nearby City l
fill,
the adequacy of environmental protections at the mobile home park site, including the adequacy of sewer connections.
Southern California Gas Company v. Texaco Exploration
Production, Inc., et al. : (Ventura County Superior Court No. Civ. 142695).: Mr. O'Neil represented Exxon Corporation in a $20 million lawsuit brought by the Southern California Gas Company relating to the use of a natural gas sweetening product sold by Exxon
other defendants. Mr. O'Neil assisted in the negotiation of a de minimus settlement on behalf of Exxon, while the other defendants paid in excess of $9 million to settle the case.
Coca Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles v. Shell Oil Company, Inc., et al. : (United States District Court, Central District of California, Case No. 91-5436 WMB (JRx)): Mr. O'Neil represented the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles in a private cost recovery action under CERCLA, the Federal Superfund law. Mr. O'Neil negotiated a favorable settlement on behalf of the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles.
Nader Mirzai v. West Village Plaza Partners, et al. : (Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Case No. 197953).: Mr. O'Neil defended Atlantic Richfield Company in an action brought by a l
owner for damages resulting from the alleged contamination of his property by a former Atlantic Richfield Company property. Mr. O'Neil mediated the case to a successful conclusion for Atlantic Richfield.
Representative Environmental Counseling Matters: Collins Estate Sale: Mr. O'Neil represented the Estate of Joseph Collins
Union Bank of California as the Executor of the Estate, in the sale of an environmentally-impaired property. Mr. O'Neil obtained multiple protections for the Collins Estate
Union Bank,
his work enabled a sale to be consummated on favorable terms for the Estate
Union Bank.
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Matter: Mr. O'Neil helped Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company sell a property in Orange County known as The Atrium. The property was environmentally impaired, which Mr. O'Neil helped discover during the due diligence process. Mr. O'Neil obtained environmental insurance from the seller
other environmental protections that allowed the sale to be consummated.
Applied Magnetics Sale: Mr. O'Neil helped his clients sell an environmentally -impaired property in Goleta, California. In the process of doing so, Mr. O'Neil obtained environmental insurance
obtained a Prospective Purchaser Agreement from the California Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
BKK Corporation: Mr. O'Neil advised a l
fill operator of the environmental consequences under federal law associated with its sale of l
fill space in Southern California.
Exxon - Texaco Property Exchange: Mr. O'Neil advised Exxon Corporation regarding the environmental implications of a major property exchange between Exxon
Texaco Refinery
Marketing.
MS Partners - Morgan Stanley: Mr. O'Neil advised a real estate partnership regarding the environmental risks associated with purchasing a portfolio of real estate assets owned by Union Bank.
Roscoe Moss Company - San Jose Water Merger: Mr. O'Neil advised a corporation on the environmental implications of its merger with San Jose Water.
