Environmental Law Litigation - Environmental
Christopher P. "Chris" Berka
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2009 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Chris Berka is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with a practice focusing on environmental, real estate, energy, natural resources, product liability and contract matters. He has resolved more than two hundred cases for clients in a range of industries and sectors, including technology, aerospace, oil and natural gas, wind energy, real estate development, pharmaceuticals, higher education, transportation, news media, mining and consumer products.
In addition to his litigation practice, Chris has had extensive experience handling business transactions and regulatory proceedings before federal, state and local government agencies overseeing the investigation and remediation of environmental conditions, public health and safety and land use.
The Legal 500 cites Chris as “client focused, cost-conscious and strategy driven.” As a writer, he has published more than 300 articles in legal publications on topics ranging from civil procedure to environmental law.
Overview
- The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1980
- Stanford University, BA, graduated 1976
- California, The State Bar of California
- American Bar Association - Section of Environment, Energy and Resources, Toxic Tort and Environmental Litigation Committee, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Committee
- Santa Clara County Bar Association - Environmental Law Section, Executive Committee
- Santa Clara County Superior Court - Judge Pro Tem
- Stanford Law School - Advisory Committee, Environmental Law Clinic
- California, The State Bar of California
- American Bar Association - Section of Environment, Energy and Resources, Toxic Tort and Environmental Litigation Committee, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Committee
- Santa Clara County Bar Association - Environmental Law Section, Executive Committee
- Santa Clara County Superior Court - Judge Pro Tem
- Stanford Law School - Advisory Committee, Environmental Law Clinic
- The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1980
- Stanford University, BA, graduated 1976
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Environmental Law
- Litigation - Environmental
Awards:
- Legal 500 US, Environmental Litigation (2011)
- Environmental Liability, Enforcement & Penalties Reporter, Advisory Board Member (2005–present)
- Super Lawyers, Northern California (2004, 2006–2014)
- California Environmental Law and Regulation Reporter, Former Editorial Board Member
- The National Law Journal, “Top 20 Defensive Wins” (2002)
- AmJur Award, Evidence, University of Michigan Law School
- AmJur Award, Public Control of Land Use, University of Michigan Law School
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Litigation
- Three-month jury trial defending energy industry client against claims of fraud, breach of contract and environmental pollution. Resulted in complete defense verdict and award of client’s costs. In a subsequent action, the client’s legal fees and expert witness expenses were recovered from the opposing party under an indemnity agreement. The National Law Journal listed the case among the top twenty defense verdicts in the United States in the year in which the case was tried.
- Six-week jury trial representing real estate owners in action against lessee who had polluted the client’s property with industrial waste. The National Law Journal featured the case as the most significant environmental trial of the year, with national significance on issues relating to environmental torts.
- Three-week jury trial representing a real estate developer against its liability insurer to recover environmental cleanup costs and lost profits resulting from construction delays caused by a soil remediation project. The opposing party stipulated to a judgment in favor of the client while the jury was deliberating after the presentation of evidence and closing argument.
- Defended a wind energy developer in a federal court lawsuit involving a dispute over the allocation of profits from a wind energy project; succeeded in obtaining partial dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) and judgment on all remaining claims under Rule 56; judgment for the client was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit
Transactions
- Regulatory and Transactional Matters
- Compliance with legal requirements for brownfield developments on industrial and former oil-producing sites
- Compliance with hazardous waste disposal regulations
- Identifying and allocating environmental liabilities in the purchase and sale of businesses and the leasing of commercial property
- Investigation and remediation of soil, groundwater and indoor air affected by hazardous substances
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