Hazel Ocampo

Experience: Defense of Government Agency Enforcement: Reduced multimillion-dollar penalties in Regional Water Quality Control Board administrative enforcement actions targeting private companies and developers for alleged violations of Waste Discharge Requirements.; Represented Fortune 500 Company in action alleging marine sediment contamination in San Diego Bay due to PAHs, PCBs and heavy metals.; Reduced hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential penalties for asbestos-related violations in enforcement actions by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD).; Represented dry cleaner facilities in enforcement action by the San Diego Department of Environmental Health (DEH) regarding alleged contamination of soil/groundwater due to volatile organic compounds (VOC's) including Perchloroethylene (perc) .; Defended electronics recycling company in enforcement action by the Department of Toxic Substances Control regarding alleged violations of California Hazardous Waste laws.; Represented private ranch owner regarding regarding an un-permitted stream alteration in a multi-agency action involving the California Attorney General, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.; Permitting: Represented the largest U.S. producer of blue-green algae securing various operational permits after a 20+ year operation, negotiated for zero penalties associated with prior uses, and achieved approvals for facility expansion.; Secured operational permits for major beef processing facility, including a full regulatory compliance plan to commence operations, resulting in record-breaking opening date.; Secured development permits for national housing developers including Clean Water Act Sec. 401 Certification, Sec. 404 NWP Authorization and Streambed Alteration Agreement under the California Fish and Game Code.; Governmental Investigations: Represented natural gas and electricity provider involved in joint investigation by various California District Attorneys for alleged violations of California's Unfair Competition Law, resulting in no enforcement and zero penalties.; Represented after-market vehicle parts manufacturers and dealers in enforcement action by the United States Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.; Advised major telecommunications companies regarding compliance with California Hazardous Waste laws, and in formal investigation by the California Attorney General.; Represented major manufacturer of grooming products in third-party investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), opposing proposed merger of two competitors who threatened to dominate the market.; Compliance Counseling: Represented FDA-regulated organic vitamin supplement manufacturer with respect to product compliance issues.; Created regulatory roadmap and compliance plan for Research and Development facility seeking to obtain federal, state, and local authorizations to produce biofuels, including the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).; Represented FDA-regulated company with global operations involved in the production of algin and biogum used in food and cosmetic products.; Secured FDA approvals for Latin American medical device company seeking to sell products in the U.S.; Counseled corporate entities on imports, exports, and agricultural product compliance.; Advised Japanese manufacturing companies regarding complex regulations applicable to unique safety products proposed for sale in the U.S.; Litigation: Defended multimillion-dollar CERCLA suit against automotive parts recycler by proving de minimis contribution.; Defended Proposition 65 actions involving product manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, and distributors.; The above representations were handled by Ms. Ocampo prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.; Clerkships and Fellowships: Law Clerk, White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), 2010; Law Clerk, California Environmental Protection Agency, 2010; Law Clerk, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2009; Executive Fellow, Cal/EPA, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2007-2008