Chris Locke has more than 35 years of experience counseling and representing clients in all aspects of environmental law, environmental litigation, and enforcement defense. In addition to his service as a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL), he is a former Director of the Environment Law Institute (ELI) and serves on the Steering Committee of the ELI Leadership Counsel. He is recognized by Chambers USA, LawDragon 500, and Best Lawyers in America as a leading California lawyer in environmental law. Chris' practice includes defense of federal and state enforcement actions, representation in actions involving CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other federal and state statutory and common law claims, as well as cost recovery litigation and citizen suit defense. Chris also assists clients with regulatory compliance, permitting and representation, project development strategies, and NEPA, CEQA and land use proceedings and related litigation. Drawing on his experience as a former federal prosecutor, Chris’ practice includes internal investigations, grand jury representation, and defense of criminal enforcement actions. Chris’ clients span a broad range of representation of both public and private interests, including construction, energy, entertainment, manufacturing, mining, real estate development, scientific research, technology, telecommunications, transportation, and wine businesses. Throughout his career, Chris has been recognized by clients for his strategic approach, whether in trial or appellate courts, regulatory or land use proceedings, or long-term business planning and risk management. Chris began his career as a Legislative Assistant to then-Congressman Christopher Dodd, and as a Research Analyst-Investigator for the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Assassinations, evaluating the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recommending legislative reforms. Prior to private practice, Chris served in the Attorney General's Honor Law Graduate Program, as a federal prosecutor with the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C, assigned to the Appellate Section and the Organized Crime Strike Force, and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, in San Francisco. Chris is a frequent lecturer and author on developments in environmental law, renewable energy, criminal enforcement and defense, trial strategy, and evidence. He is a graduate of the University of California School of Law Berkeley (1981), and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1975).
Email:
clocke@lockelawpc.com
Website:
https://www.lockelawpc.com
EPA Region:
Region 9 - (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and certain territories)
Year of induction:
2017
Degrees:
B.A., University of Massachusetts (Amherst), 1975
J.D., University of California (Berkeley), 1981
Admissions:
California
Court Admissions:
All California Courts
United States Supreme Court
United States Courts of Appeal for the 1st, 5th, 9th and 11th Circuits
United States Courts of Appeal for the Federal Circuit
United States District Courts for all California Districts
Numerous Pro Hac Vice Admissions
Professional Societies and Organizations:
Fellow, ACOEL
Executive Committee, ACOEL Foundation
Chair, ACOEL Honors Intern Task Force Member
Steering Committee, ELI Leadership Council
Former Director, Environmental Law Institute
Former Director, Marin County Bar Association
Former Director, Legal Aid of Marin