Jennifer T. Taggart

Experience

• Represented several fashion jewelry importers, wholesalers and retailers in connection with California’s Toxic Metals in Jewelry Law and Proposition 65.  Has developed strategies for complying with California’s Lead in Jewelry Law and Proposition 65’s consent judgment limits for cadmium.
• Represents several importers in connection with consumer product labeling requirements including Flammable Fibers Act, Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.  Also assists several importers with compliance with the CPSIA.
• Represented several defendants in litigation involving alleged groundwater contamination in the South El Monte Operable Unit (“SEMOU”) of the San Gabriel Valley Superfund Site.  Successfully negotiated settlements for the potentially responsible parties.
• Vigorously represented a client against a former tenant for environmental contamination the tenant caused during its tenancy.  The former tenant agreed to pay 100% of the costs associated with the investigation and remediation of the onsite soils, the costs of investigating the onsite groundwater, and costs related to obtaining a “no further action” letter with respect to the soils.
• Successfully represented a property owner against the Department of Transportation’s eminent domain action in which the DOT claimed that the property owner’s compensation should be reduced because of a regional groundwater contamination issue.  Successfully demonstrated that the DOT’s claimed remedial costs were only necessary because of the DOT’s proposed work and therefore were not properly deducted from the just compensation to be paid.
• Successfully represented a municipality in evicting an oil operator from a city park.  The operator claimed the right to use the park pursuant to various oil and gas leases which the municipality contended had terminated.  Crafted a settlement that involved the buyout of the operator by another operator with certain agreements to phase out production.
• Obtained over $4 million from various scrap metal defendants on behalf of a large property owner who leased the site to various scrap metal operators for over 40 years.  Many of the defendants were dissolved, dead or without funds, but obtained recovery from their insurers.
• Represented retailers, distributors and importers in many Proposition 65 litigation matters, including representing an importer of various consumer products in Proposition 65 litigation involving allegations of lead in various polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) products.  Resolved the litigation successfully for the client to accommodate large existing inventory.
• Represented City of Los Angeles in connection with the acquisition of “Park One” property.
• Represented various private developers in a number of owner participation agreements and disposition and development agreements for retail shopping centers in a variety of locations.
• Assisted with environmental issues relating to Chromium in obtaining the necessary project approvals and litigation for the development of a 2.3 million square foot mixed use office project against well-financed opposition brought by a nearby competing developer.
• Represented shopping center owner in the negotiation of various commercial leases with retail tenants.
• Represented real estate developers in connection with the acquisition and development of several hundred single-family detached homes on several large tracts of real property in Orange County, California, which representation encompasses numerous complex land use and governmental matters, including dwelling unit entitlements, Mello-Roos community facilities district, occupancy permit entitlements, completion of water and sewer facilities, Affordable Housing Implementation Program, and various agreements among adjoining developers and landowners.
• Negotiated a settlement in multiple lawsuits arising out of a “compost facility” at a worm farm.  The County of San Bernardino, the property owner, and neighboring property owners all brought actions against our client, the operator of a materials recovery facility and solid waste transporter.   After the cleanup was completed pursuant to the settlement agreement, the property owner challenged the cleanup, contending that it did not meet the terms of the settlement agreement.  Chaired a bench trial to resolve “how clean is clean” for the subject property.
• Represented a manufacturer in a lawsuit in which its neighbor alleged that emissions were causing property damage.  Reached a resolution at a mediation involving the installation of control equipment that was to be required by the SCAQMD and payment of a small sum.
• Represented a homeowner against her insurer and various consultants and negotiated a very favorable settlement for property damage and personal injury resulting from a sewage release and improper cleanup by the insurer’s contractor.

Publications

Speaking Engagements

Community & Professional

• South Shores Homeowners Association, Secretary (2005), President (2004), Board Member (2003 and 2006)
• Chair, Environmental Law Subsection (South), California State Bar, Real Property Section
• Former Commissioner with the Los Angeles City Environmental Affairs Commission. (Commissioner 1996-2000 and 2004-2005; President, 2000-2002, Vice-President, 2003-2004)
• Volunteer, Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, 2005 – present, and Contributor, CHEC Monthly Report
• Palos Verdes High School, PVIT, VEX Robotics, Mentor (2017 – present
• Rockinghorse Road Homeowners Association, Secretary (2013 – 2017)
• Rancho Palos Verdes Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee, Member (2014 – 2016)
• ABA Litigation Section, Products Liability Committee, Products Liability Newsletter committee member
• Green Moms Carnival, Founder
• Healthy Child, Healthy World (formerly Children’s Health Environmental Coalition), volunteer, blogger
• South Shores Homeowners Association, Secretary (2005), President (2004), Board Member (2003)
• Chair, Environmental Law Subsection (South), California State Bar, Real Property Section (2000 – 2006)
• Los Angeles City Environmental Affairs Commission.  (Commissioner 1996-2000 and 2004-2005; President, 2000-2002, Vice-President, 2003-2004)

Honors & Recognition

• D., Southwestern University School of Law, cum laude, 1995, Moot Court Honor’s Board, Order of the Barristers
• S., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1990, Engineering Science; Highest GPA in Major, Dean’s Honor List, President’s Honor List, , Tau Beta P