Professional Experience

Mr. Duchesneau’s practice focuses on most aspects of environmental law involving litigation, administrative proceedings, regulatory compliance and business transactions.  He handles complex environmental litigation in federal and state courts, including CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Water Act, products liability, toxic tort, and Proposition 65 actions, among others.  Mr. Duchesneau has significant experience with emerging chemicals and drinking water contamination. 

In addition to litigation, Mr. Duchesneau counsels clients on regulatory compliance involving such matters as green chemistry, Proposition 65, pesticides, air quality, climate change, wastewater and hazardous waste; and has successfully represented clients before administrative agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.  He also advises on corporate and real estate transactions and environmental due diligence as well as with regard to environmental auditing.

Prior to being an attorney, Mr. Duchesneau was an engineer with an international environmental consulting firm where he performed work for the U.S. EPA , the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and  DOD, among other clients.  He later left consulting to join the corporate environmental management office of a Fortune 100 company where he headed efforts to work with policy-makers in the development of environmental laws and regulations and managed air toxics and Superfund programs.

Education

National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Trial Advocacy Skills Program, 2003.

Southwestern Law School, J.D., 1993.

University of Rhode Island, B.S., Chemical Engineering, 1985.

Memberships & Activities

Admitted to practice in California, South Carolina, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, United States District Courts, U.S. Court of Appeals (2nd and 9th Circuits), U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Los Angeles County Bar Association; Executive Committee, Environmental Law Section, 1998-present, Chair, 2009-2010 (Section received 2010 ABA Award for Distinguished Achievement in Environmental Law and Policy).

California State Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Member.

Law360 Environmental Editorial Advisory Board, 2011.

California Manufacturer & Technology Association, Environmental Quality Steering Committee, 1990-1995, 2004-2007; Chair, 1994-1995.

American Electronics Association, Environmental Health & Safety Steering Committee, 1990-1994.

Argent Communications Group’s Environmental Liability Enforcement & Penalties Reporter, Editor, 1997-2000.

Community Service
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, Board of Trustees (2006 - Present), Vice President.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, Board of Directors (2006-2012).

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Greater Los Angeles Chapter, Board of Trustees (2007 - Present), President. 

Honors & Awards

Listed in Southern California Super Lawyers®, Law & Politics Magazine/Thomson Reuters, 2005-2012.

Listed in Southern California Super Lawyers-Rising Stars®, Law & Politics Magazine, 2004.

Included in Who’s Who In L.A. Law: Green People, L.A.’s Leading Environmental Attorneys Discuss Their Best and Worst Career Moments, Their Most Challenging Cases, and How They Live a “Green” Lifestyle; Los Angeles Business Journal (Oct. 6, 2008).

Publications

Chapter: "Initial Preparation and Strategies for Defending Against Contamination Claims,” Inside the Minds: Litigating Toxic Tort and Hazardous Waste Claims, Aspatore Books from West Thomson Reuters (2011).

Speaking Engagements

“Subprime Aftermath: Navigating the Wake of Environmentally Impaired Assets,” L.A. County Bar Association, Environmental Law Super Symposium, March 27, 2009.

“Lead in Toyland:  Regulation of Toxic Chemicals,” L.A. County Bar Association, Environmental Law Super Symposium, April 4, 2008.

“From Aviall to Atlantic Research: The Rebirth of CERCLA Cost Recovery Claims,” L.A. County Bar Association, September 26, 2007.

“Carson Harbor Village v. Unocal Corp.: Another Torpedo Against Recovery?,” L.A. County Bar Association, June 7, 2006.

“Water, Water, Everywhere, But Is There Enough?” L.A. County Bar Association, Environmental Law Super Symposium, April 6, 2006.

“So Sue Me! Cooper Industries, Inc. v. Aviall Services, Inc., What Now?,” L.A. County Bar Association, Environmental Law Super Symposium, April 7, 2005.

“Point-Counterpoint on the MTBE Groundwater Litigation,” L.A. County Bar Association, Environmental Law Super Symposium, April 1, 2004.

Closing Remarks, L.A. County Bar Association, Environmental Law Super Symposium, March 27, 2003.

“What’s Fair About the Unfair Business Practices Act in Environmental Cases,” L.A. County Bar Association, Environmental Law Super Symposium, March 22, 2001.

Panel re Carson Harbor Village v. Unocal, L.A. County Bar Association, December 13, 2000.