Partner
Davina Pujari
Environmental, Product Liability & Mass Torts, Global Investigations & White Collar Defense
Overview
Davina Pujari is an accomplished trial lawyer who assists clients with complex environmental litigation, environmental criminal defense, toxic torts and mass actions, and crisis response. She leverages more than 25 years of experience in public and private practice, including as a federal and state prosecutor and an EPA enforcement attorney.
In private practice, Davina represents companies and individuals in complex, high stakes matters involving environmental and business litigation, environmental and white collar crimes, investigations, False Claims Act matters, and regulatory compliance and defense. When representing clients in government investigations and enforcement actions, Davina offers an understanding of governmental priorities, procedures, and tactics founded on her years of public service investigating and prosecuting environmental and white collar cases. She also applies her breadth of experience to conducting internal investigations and representing clients before arbitrators, administrative judges, regulatory agencies, and mediators.
Experience
Davina has represented:
Complex Environmental Litigation
- A Class I railroad, following a derailment and alleged release of hazardous substances in enforcement and class actions.*
- An environmental remediation contractor defending False Claims Act and mass tort actions alleging falsification of data at a Superfund site in California.
- A chemical company in litigation and arbitration to allocate costs at a Superfund site in Kentucky.
- An oil company in mass tort litigation involving hundreds of plaintiffs, while defending company in civil and criminal actions filed by environmental agencies.*
- A company in an investigation by multiple California District Attorneys involving alleged unlawful disposal and handling of hazardous waste and hazardous materials. Resolved case via favorable civil settlement.*
Recognition
- Recognized by Chambers USA Guide in California for Environment law
- Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for environmental law
- Recognized by Northern California Super Lawyers in the areas of Criminal Defense: White Collar and Environmental Litigation
- Appointed as an appellate panel member (2014–2017) and a trial panel member (2010–2013) on the Criminal Justice Act Panel of the US District Court for the Northern District of California
- Given the Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an assistant US attorney
- Honored with the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services
- Awarded the Medal for Commendable Service by the US Environmental Protection Agency
Education
- Lewis and Clark Law School, JD
- North Carolina State University, BA
Admissions
- California
Courts
- US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- US District Court for the Central District of California
- US District Court for the Eastern District of California
- US District Court for the Northern District of California
- US District Court for the Southern District of California
Professional & Community Involvement
- Environmental Law Institute - Board member and Leadership Council member
- Women's White Collar Defense Association
- American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section - Women in White Collar Committee
- South Asian Bar Association