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Desktop Image: Shea, Kerry E.
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Kerry E. Shea

Partner

T 415.276.6598 San Francisco
I turn acronyms into opportunities.
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Kerry practices in the fields of environmental permitting, counseling, and compliance. Helping her clients identify and reduce risk associated with environmental compliance is the heart of Kerry's practice. She understands that reconciling business aims with modern environmental expectations is often a challenge. With three decades of experience, however, Kerry can chart a logical, clear, and efficient path through the regulatory complexities. Whether assessing risks discovered in environmental due diligence, responding to an Attorney General investigation, or advising on compliance with state or federal regulations, Kerry remains committed to achieving the best outcome possible for her client.

She advises clients on transactional and regulatory matters from project development, financing, and environmental due diligence, to negotiations with governmental agencies. Kerry focuses on independent power producing facilities, including renewable energy facilities with geothermal, wind, biomass, landfill gas, and solar components. She also frequently handles the environmental aspects of telecommunications projects.

Practice Highlights

Enforcement and investigations

Responds to agency and Attorney General (or District Attorney) notices of violations and investigations of environmental practices at business facilities.

Environmental due diligence

Handles issues of on-going and merger-specific environmental due diligence for many industries, including power producers.

Compliance advice

Advises project developers on compliance with CEQA regulations and Environmental Impact Reports. She also helps companies navigate Prop 65 litigation and compliance. Has represented organic snack distributors, dietary supplement manufacturers, tea companies, national department stores, a national travel products company, an international watch manufacturer, and an auto parts distributor.

Hazardous Waste Compliance

Hazardous waste compliance for a cable and Internet service provider

Representing a cable and Internet services provider in investigations by the state of California into the methods of handling hazardous and universal waste at its facilities. (Investigation complete 2016; Ongoing compliance)
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California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Compliance

Air quality regulatory compliance for regional mass transit entity

Advising a regional mass transit agency on cap-and-trade program participation and obligations. (Ongoing)

CEQA counsel for NextG Networks of California

Representing wireless telecommunications carrier in PUC proceedings relating to environmental assessment and approval for system in Huntington Beach, Calif. The work includes coordinating PUC staff and counsel, environmental consultants, city attorneys, public comment, and telecommunications counsel. (Ongoing)
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Environmental Due Diligence and Ongoing Compliance

Liberty Utilities and related entities ongoing environmental compliance

Handled environmental due diligence, permit issues, and negotiation of consent decrees for the acquisition of an independent power producer's generation station, 12 substations, and related transmission facilities in Lake Tahoe area of California. Managing ongoing post-closing environmental compliance and transfer issues. (Ongoing)

Calpine Corporation due diligence and environmental compliance

Handling environmental due diligence and environmental compliance for multiple independent power producing facilities in California. Work includes interaction with air districts, water boards, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and other agencies. (Ongoing) 
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Other

BLM rights negotiations for various wind and solar developer clients

Representing in obtaining and maintaining rights of way and other rights from BLM for wind and solar projects. (Ongoing)

Proposition 65 litigation for various clients

Have represented national department stores, a national travel products company, an international watch manufacturer, a national tire manufacturer, a large manufacturer of wire and wire-mesh products, a travel accessory distributor, and an auto parts distributor in various Proposition 65 litigation involving private litigants. (Ongoing)

Clean Water Act/RCRA defense for NextG Networks of California, Inc. and a national provider of broadband services

Represented telecommunications companies in citizen suit litigation alleging violations of CWA and RCRA from chemically treated utility poles. (2010)
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Admitted to Practice

  • California, 1989
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1989
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1989
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1989
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 1989

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, 1989
    • UCLA Law Distinguished Advocate, 1988
    • Moot Court Team, State Tournament, 1988
  • B.A., Economics, University of California, Berkeley, 1985

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Editorial Board, Environmental Liability, Enforcement and Penalties, 2000-2007
    • Biomass Power Association, 2009-2012
    • California Biomass Energy Alliance, 2009-2012

Professional Recognition

    • Named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Environmental Law, 2025-present
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