John Ugai represents clients in a broad range of litigation and environmental permitting, compliance, and administrative enforcement matters.

John regularly advises clean energy and technology companies on litigation and regulatory matters. He recently helped a smart meter technology company secure a victory in a two-week trial, defeating a licensor’s claim for over a billion dollars. As a 2022 Clean Energy Leadership Institute Fellow and a secondee at a long-duration energy storage company, John has developed deep industry expertise that he leverages to deliver efficient, strategic results for his clients.

John assists clients in all stages of litigation—from prelitigation negotiations to appeals—and his diverse practice spans complex contractual disputes, multi-party remedial cost recovery actions, and other high-stakes matters.

In addition to representing clients in state and federal court, John advises clients on environmental compliance, air emissions regulations, and renewable energy project development issues. He helps clients navigate the complexities of federal and state environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CEQA, NEPA, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act, CERCLA, and Extended Producer Responsibility laws. In particular, he has experience representing large and small businesses in matters involving liability for cleanup and site remediation and federal citizen suits under the Clean Water Act. John also maintains an active pro bono practice, which includes representing clients in efforts to protect environmental resources and lands.

John served as a law clerk to the Honorable Susan van Keulen of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. At Stanford Law School, he spent two years helping to represent local environmental groups before state courts as well as state and federal agencies in Stanford’s Environmental Law Clinic.