Christopher “Smitty” Smith is the chair of the Environmental practice group and a member of the Insurance Recovery and Litigation practice groups at Greenspoon Marder LLP, advising clients on a wide range of legal matters including contract, environmental law, insurance, real estate, and product liability issues. With extensive experience in both prosecuting and defending claims through trial in federal and state courts, Mr. Smith specializes in environmental issues stemming from industrial operations and real estate development.
Mr. Smith has provided counsel on various aspects of real estate transactions, commercial agreements, industrial health and safety compliance, and product advertising and labeling. He has a proven track record of representing a diverse clientele including commercial and residential property owners and developers, public utilities, transportation companies, consultants, metal manufacturers and recyclers, aerospace equipment manufacturers, automobile parts manufacturers, and pesticide manufacturers and distributors.
In his practice, Mr. Smith has successfully handled complex environmental litigation and regulatory proceedings, particularly those related to water and air quality, soil and groundwater contamination, and product safety standards. He is well-versed in matters involving federal, state, and local regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), various California Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).
Mr. Smith’s expertise extends to negotiating and litigating issues related to permitting, reporting, compliance, and liability under key environmental statutes including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. Additionally, he works closely with clients to ensure compliance with California’s Proposition 65, which regulates the marketing and labeling of consumer products containing certain chemicals sold in the state.
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Seattle University School of Law, 2007
- ABA Student Liaison for Solo and Small Firm Committee & Pro Bono Committee
- CALI Award in Criminal Procedure Adjudicative
- B.S., San Diego State University, Business Administration (emphasis in Finance), 2003
- Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Parliamentarian and Rush Chair