Clif McFarland is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Raines Feldman Littrell, and a member of the Real Estate and Environmental, Land Use, and Natural Resources Practice groups. Clif has extensive experience in environmental law with a strong science background. He represents clients in the fields of aerospace, energy, real estate, and natural resources among many more. He works with clients throughout California and nationally on remediation, administrative and regulatory, enforcement, and litigation matters. Clif regularly defends clients in contaminated property and regional groundwater contamination litigation. Clients also rely on Clif for advice and counsel on a broad range of environmental law and policy questions.
As an MIT-trained engineer, Clif helps his clients to resolve difficult legal problems that are intertwined with complex scientific issues. He is skilled at helping clients resolve unique one-off problems where there is no “cookbook” or standard practice to follow, particularly problems involving issues of environmental law and science.
Clif has helped close hundreds of commercial real estate deals involving potentially contaminated property. He is adept at providing practical advice under transactional pressure to enable clients to make critical decisions. He knows how to press for real-time discussions with regulators to bring increased certainty to liability determinations, move properties though the cleanup process, and obtain closure.
Additionally, Clif has handled numerous enforcement matters opposite EPA, the Regional Boards, DTSC, and various Air Districts. His persistence, tenacity, and strong grasp of the scientific and factual issues have allowed his clients to minimize or avoid fines and penalties.
Publications, Recognitions and Speaking Engagements
Listed in Best Lawyers in America® 2023 — Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental