Mayer Brown bolsters Environmental and Product Liability & Mass Torts practices with addition of trial lawyers Davina Pujari and Chris Rheinheimer

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayer Brown announced that Davina Pujari and Chris Rheinheimer have joined the San Francisco office as partners in the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. They join from WilmerHale and bring nationally recognized trial capabilities in environmental, product liability, and mass tort matters.

"We are excited to welcome Davina and Chris to Mayer Brown,” said Michael Olsen, leader of Mayer Brown’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. “Their extensive trial experience and deep knowledge of environmental and mass tort matters will enhance our ability to serve clients facing complex, high-stakes disputes. Their arrival underscores our commitment to growing our capabilities in California and key markets nationwide.” 

Davina’s practice focuses on environmental and white collar defense, class and mass actions, False Claims Act litigation, and crisis management. She has acted as lead counsel in high-profile matters under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, the Superfund law, and other federal and state environmental statutes. Her representative work includes defending a global remediation contractor in parallel False Claims Act and mass tort actions, representing a Class I railroad in derailment-related litigation, and resolving numerous criminal environmental investigations with no charges filed.

“As companies confront ever-expanding environmental enforcement and mass tort exposure, they need lawyers who not only understand the law but can try the toughest cases when necessary,” said Davina. “Mayer Brown’s global platform and collaborative culture will allow us to serve our clients across industries and geographies at the highest level.”

Chris represents clients in complex environmental, energy and real-estate litigation, class and mass actions, False Claims Act matters and state and federal enforcement defense. He regularly advises clients on land-use and NEPA/CEQA disputes. His recent matters include defending an environmental remediation contractor in multiple governmental enforcement actions and class actions arising from a Superfund site, representing a railroad in a class action and civil enforcement proceedings following a derailment, securing dismissal of charges for an individual in an Endangered Species Act/Lacey Act prosecution, and successfully challenging voter initiatives that sought to restrict large-scale energy and development projects. 

“Mayer Brown offers an unparalleled opportunity to deepen our trial practice and partner with top-tier colleagues in litigation, regulatory, transactional, and investigations disciplines,” added Chris. “I am excited to help our clients navigate California’s – and the nation’s – most consequential environmental and real-estate disputes.”

“Davina and Chris are outstanding additions to our Northern California team,” said Ward Johnson, managing partner of Mayer Brown’s Northern California offices. “Their proven track record and client-focused approach will be invaluable as we continue to serve clients facing complex environmental and mass tort challenges.”

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