RESUME OF SUZANNE VARCO

Professional Experience

Opper & Varco LLP
San Diego, California

Managing partner, December 2000 to present (formerly Varco & Associates).   Private law practice concentrating in the redevelopment of contaminated properties, hazardous waste cleanup, state environmental compliance counseling, environmental permitting, land use, business and real estate transaction environmental issues, and underground storage tank issues.

Peters & Varco LLP
San Diego, California

Partner, November 1996 to December 2000 (formerly Suzanne R. Varco & Associates). Private law practice concentrating in environmental compliance, regulation and litigation, appellate work, and general business litigation. Experience includes hazardous waste contamination compliance and litigation, UST Cleanup Fund reimbursement, CEQA Guideline preparation and litigation, environmental permitting, corporate law, general business litigation, and writs and appeals.

Wittman, Mitchell & Skola
San Diego, California

Associate Attorney, January 1996 to October 1996.  Appellate work, environmental compliance and litigation, general business litigation, and transactional work. Represented and advised clients on specific issues relating to hazardous waste contamination compliance and litigation, UST Cleanup Fund reimbursement, CEQA compliance, environmental permitting, as well as general civil litigation, construction defect litigation, and appellate work.

Lorenz Alhadeff Cannon & Rose
San Diego, California

Associate Attorney, May 1991 to January 1996.  Practice included environmental litigation, general business litigation, and appellate work. Specific case work included hazardous waste litigation, environmental insurance, California Fish & Game and Clean Water Act violations, CEQA litigation, hazardous activity strict liability, water rights and drainage liability, securities litigation, general business litigation, writs, and appeals.

Environmental Law Clinic
University of San Diego School of Law
San Diego, California

Student Attorney, August 1990 to May 1991. 1992 Outstanding Environmental Clinic Intern Award. Cases handled involved public trust violations, Clean Water Act violations, NEPA permitting procedures, and land use planning.

Education

University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California, J.D., 1992.

    Advocacy Experience and Awards: National Moot Court Team; State Moot Court Team; Moot Court Board; First Place, Constitutional Law Competition; First Place, Law and Motions Competition; Best Oral Advocate, Tort Competition; Best Appellate Brief, Lawyering Skills I; Oral Advocacy Specialist.
    Specialized Courses: Environmental Clinic, Environmental Law, Environmental Torts, Water Law, Advanced Trial Advocacy, Negotiations, Tax, and Corporations.

Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, B.A. 1987.

    English major, Economics minor
    Honors: Honors at Entrance, Dean's List, Distinction in oral examinations in English.
    Specialized Courses: Environmental Studies, Geology and Paleontology.

Published Opinions

Hardin Oldsmobile v. New Motor Vehicle Board, 97 Daily Journal D.A.R. 1133.
San Diego Housing Commission v. Industrial Indemnity, 68 Cal.App.4th 526 (1998).

    Speeches and Publications

Lorman Education Services, Affordable Housing in San Diego, San Diego, California, August 2003.
Lorman Education Services, Local Government and the Law, San Diego, California, May 2003.
Lorman Education Services, Eminent Domain in California, San Diego, California, October 2002.
Co-author, “Environmental Aspects of Property Redevelopment,” San Diego County Site Assessment and Mitigation 2000 SAM Manual, San Diego County Department of Environmental Health, 2000.
University of California, San Diego Extension, Guest Lecturer, State and Federal Hazardous Waste Laws, San Diego, California, May 1998.
Continuing Education of the Bar Seminar, Hazardous Waste and Real Property Transactions, San Diego and Santa Barbara, California, February 1998.
"Common Law Environmental Claims in California," Hazardous Waste and Real Property Transactions Program Handbook, CEB, February 1998.
Women’s Environmental Council, Fishing with the Net: Environmental Resources on the Internet, San Diego, California, July 1997.
Women’s Environmental Council, Effective Negotiating, San Diego and Orange County, California, July 1997.

    Admissions

State Bar of California
United States District Court, Southern District
United States District Court, Central District
United States District Court, Northern District
United States District Court, Eastern District
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

    Memberships

State Bar of California, Environmental Law Section
American Bar Association, Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Section
San Diego County Bar Association, Environmental and Land Use Law Sections
Chair, County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health, Site Assessment and Mitigation Division Steering Committee
Past President, San Diego Environmental Professionals (formerly Association of Hazardous Materials Professionals)
Past President, BMW Car Club of America (San Diego Chapter)
Member, Lawyers Club (member of Technology and Products committees)
Founding Member, Networking Women
Member, Women’s Environmental Council

     

Opper & Varco LLP, Attorneys At Law
225 Broadway, Suite 1900 • San Diego, California 92101
Telephone (619) 231-5858 • Facsimile: (619) 231-5853
svarco@envirolawyer.com