Gregory J. Newmark

As head of Meyers Nave’s Los Angeles office, Greg Newmark represents local agencies in matters related to water quality, water rights, water rates, pollution, inverse condemnation, and brownfields. Aside from reviewing environmental documents under CEQA and NEPA, he provides land use advice to public entities. With extensive litigation experience, Mr. Newmark has handled numerous complex multi-party cases. He regularly represents clients before the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and the State Water Resources Control Board. Clients and staff collaborate closely during the permitting process which Mr. Newmark oversees meticulously. If necessary, he appeals administratively and litigates civil actions for waste dischargers. Over the course of his career, Mr. Newmark has handled numerous groundwater contamination cases, including regulatory cleanup orders and cost recovery actions.

As a 1997 graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law, Mr. Newmark has practiced law for over 25 years. He also holds a BA in History from the University of New Mexico, as well as a minor in Biology. Prior to joining Meyers Nave, Mr. Newmark served as deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice. His responsibilities included representing natural resources agencies in trials and appellate hearings concerning air and water pollution, inverse condemnation, CEQA, exotic and endangered species, and fire suppression costs. Under his leadership, Mr. Newmark presented oral argument as deputy attorney general in the first Clean Water Act case heard by the California Supreme court. As a result of his efforts, the first Supreme Court decision in California dealing with a TMDL under the Clean Water Act and California's Porter-Cologny Act was rendered in his favor.

In recognition of his achievement, the United States Department of Justice awarded Mr. Newmark a Certificate of Commendation. As well as being recognized by Southern California Super Lawyers in Environmental Litigation, Mr. Newmark is also a member of the board of directors, the Urban Water Institute, and the executive committee of the California Lawyers Association's Environmental Law Section. Most recently, he authored the article “Appellate Court Finds Certain State-Mandated Stormwater Permit Requirements Imposed on Local Governments Are Subject to Cost Reimbursement,” on January 28, 2021.