Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
 
Kenneth A. Ehrlich Photo
 

Kenneth A. Ehrlich

Los Angeles

1900 Avenue of the Stars,
7th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067

Main: 310.203.8080
Direct: 310.785.5395
Fax: 310.712.3395
Pamela Johnson
Legal Assistant
310.203.8080 x6654
PJ2@JMBM.com
Main Bio

Ken Ehrlich represents clients in all aspects of environmental litigation, regulatory and administrative matters in state and federal courts and agencies, including CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Water Act, CEQA, Coastal Act, common law claims and related insurance coverage matters. He also counsels clients in regulatory oversight, enforcement, entitlement and compliance matters concerning project development, facility operations, redevelopment and expansion and the purchasing, leasing and selling of environmentally contaminated parcels. Mr. Ehrlich has significant experience resolving petroleum MTBE, water quality, Chromium-6, chlorinated solvent, perchlorate, toxic mold, asbestos, indoor air quality, lead paint, and Proposition 65 matters.

Representative Experience:

  • Lead counsel for Malibu area homeowners in various coastal protection and beach restoration matters involving California Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, and City of Malibu. Successfully resolved litigation involving alleged mile-long “berm.”
  • Co-lead counsel in major limestone mine enforcement and expansion project
  • Local counsel and a team coordinator for proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving and truck loading terminal at Port of Long Beach
  • Successfully litigated and resolved multiple CERCLA cost recovery actions, including matters relating to manufacturing facilities, smelters, landfills, aircraft and aerospace facilities, scrap metal recycling and dry cleaning facilities
  • Extensive experience in permitting and entitlement process for manufacturers, mine sites and quarries, and gravel operations, and landfills 
  • Successfully defended multiple clients in Clean Water Act citizens suit based on alleged violations of stormwater regulations
  • Negotiated first EPA Region 9 "Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser" Agreement on behalf of national client
  • Represented regional petroleum operator in MTBE administrative and litigation proceedings involving contaminated groundwater basin
  • Represented multiple clients in CERCLA and RCRA Steering Committees and Joint Defense Groups
  • Represented property developers in purchase and redevelopment of environmentally impaired parcels including numerous Superfund sites throughout California (including major ports) New York, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Massachusetts, and other areas
  • Defended trusts and estate beneficiaries in multi-million dollar environmental contamination action arising from inheritance of significant parcel near Los Angeles International Airport
  • Prosecuted multiple environmental insurance coverage actions against numerous national insurance companies.
  • Successfully obtained summary judgment orders forcing insurers to defend insureds against litigation, governmental agency orders and directives
Education

J.D., 1990, Santa Clara University School of Law

B.A., 1987, magna cum laude, University of California, Davis

LanguagesFrench
PracticesEnvironmental, Land Use, Insurance Recovery, Renewable Energy/Climate Change

IndustriesConstruction & Building Materials, Energy, Aerospace & Defense, Construction & Building Materials

Associations
  • Chair, Environmental Section of Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2000-2001
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
Awards &
Recognition
  • University of California Regent Scholar, 1983-87
  • Comments Editor, Santa Clara Law Review, 1989-90
  • Los Angeles Magazine's Southern California Super Lawyer, 2004-2012
Speaking
Engagements
  • Featured Speaker on environmental issues, annual CEB Fundamentals of Real Property Seminar, 1999-present
Bar Admissions

State Bar of California

Speaking
Engagements
03/26/10CMAC 2010 Spring Conference: The New General Permit for Construction Storm Water Discharges
05/17/06LNG Development in the Pacific Northwest: Permitting a California LNG Receiving and Vehicle Fuel Terminal
10/25/05Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite: State Bar of California
Articles
09/10/08ConnectingCalifornia.org: Court Decision Freezes Stormwater Permitting; Entire Program in Limbo
12/01/06Electric and Natural Gas Business: 2005 EPAct Shows More Promise Than Returns For LNG
06/01/04JMBM Environmental Advisor: EPA Targets OII and Omega Superfund Small Hazardous Waste Generators For Expedited Settlement
 
Media Mentions
03/15/12The Malibu Times: Project to Widen Broad Beach Nears Key Vote
12/12/10The Daily Breeze: Gambol Has Spent $700K on Lobbying and Contributions
12/05/10Press-Telegram: Conflicting Visions of Future of Port of L.A. Could End in Court Fight
Press Releases
01/23/122012 Top Attorneys In Southern California - Nineteen JMBM Attorneys Recognized as Super Lawyers
 

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