Chris Locke of Farella Braun + Martel LLP Elected to Board Of Directors, Environmental Law Institute

Washington, D.C. – based ELI is preeminent “think tank” for development of domestic and international environmental policy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 20, 2004):  Chris Locke, chair of the Environmental Law Department at Farella Braun + Martel LLP, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Environmental Law Institute (ELI).

Comprised of executives and counsel responsible for corporate environmental programs, government officials, representatives of environmental groups and private practitioners, the Washington, D.C.-based ELI is the preeminent “think tank” for the development of domestic and international environmental policy. 

“It is a great honor within the field of environmental law to be selected as a member of the board of the Environmental Law Institute,” said William J. Schlinkert, chair, Farella Braun + Martel.  “Chris Locke’s extensive experience within both the public and private sectors brings to the ELI a perspective that encompasses both national environmental policy and the business of environmental law.  We believe he will be a valued addition to the ELI board and are delighted that the chair of our firm’s national environmental practice has been recognized by such a prestigious group.”   

Founded in 1969, ELI has played a critical role in the development and evolution of national and international environmental law, with many of the nation’s major and secondary environmental laws influenced by ELI lawyers. ELI’s activities target a wide range of environmental and human health problems, including biodiversity loss and habitat destruction, land conservation, and land use and smart growth issues, as well as air, water, soil and other pollution issues.  Approximately 30 per cent of the ELI’s work is focused on projects outside the United States.  

Mr. Locke has specialized in environmental law and litigation for more than 16 years and is a frequent writer and speaker on topics involving environmental law, litigation and evidence. Among his areas of expertise are civil and criminal defense of federal and state enforcement actions, private attorneys general actions and citizen suits, land use, cost recovery litigation and product liability defense. 

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Locke served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California and a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice.  He began his professional career as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative (now Senator) Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn).

Mr. Locke’s experience also encompasses experience with all major environmental, health and safety statutes, including the federal Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CERCLA, RCRA, FIFRA, TSCA, and EPCRA, and the California Power-Cologne Water Act, Hazardous Waste Control Law, Fish and Game Code and Proposition 65.  He also counsels clients on environmental compliance issues and management strategies.

Drawing on his experience as a former federal prosecutor, Mr. Locke also practices with the firm’s White Collar Crime Group, in which he specializes in representing corporate and individual clients in responding to agency and grand jury investigations and defending enforcement actions.

The Environmental Law Department of Farella Braun + Martel is largely considered to be the premier environmental law practice in California and one of the leading practices nationally.   Among its clients are General Electric, Levi Strauss & Co., McDonald’s Corporation, Wal-Mart, Catellus Development Corporation, City of Phoenix, Los Alamos National Laboratory, California State University, Genentech and Crystal Geyser Water Company. 

Since its founding in 1962, Farella Braun + Martel has achieved a national reputation for the acumen of its business practice, the high profile cases of its complex commercial litigation practice and its prestigious client base.  With 120 attorneys in the firm’s San Francisco office, the firm serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses including VISA International, VISA U.S.A. Inc., Dolby Laboratories Inc., The Robert Mondavi Corporation, McKesson HBOC, Inc., the University of California, Round Table Pizza, Universal Studios, Silicon Valley Bank, Verizon Wireless and Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Company Limited.