The Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker is a full service, multifaceted, public-interest environmental law firm. We pride ourselves on taking cases that, first and foremost, seek to protect natural resources.

The list of practice areas included here is not a comprehensive list of all of the matters that we handle. If your case involves the defense of important ecological resources but does not fall into any of these listed categories, please contact us for an evaluation. We are dedicated to doing what it takes to help make the earth a cleaner and healthier place for all creatures.

Below is a list of the areas of law in which we currently and frequently practice. To learn more about any of these areas, please click on the respective link below
or to the right.

Administrative Law – the body of law that governs the activities of administrative agencies of government.

Air Quality Protection – to protect the air quality in California, lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker have sought to overturn air quality permits for poorly sited or polluting power plants and challenged multiple projects on CEQA and NEPA grounds.

Appeals – The Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker have appealed cases to the United States Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Courts of Appeal.

CEQA/NEPA – The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are the preeminent laws requiring environmental analysis of a project’s impacts before the project can be approved.

California Coastal Act and Federal Coastal Zone Management Act – These acts protect California’s and the nation’s coastlines and provide for governmental oversight of development along the coasts.

Climate Change – Lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker raise and address climate change issues as often as possible, and are always searching for new ways to curb greenhouse gas emissions through litigation

Endangered Species Act – Lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker enforce the Endangered Species Act to ensure the fullest protection of our nation’s threatened and endangered species.

Environmental Torts – An environmental tort arises when a person is injured through exposure to a toxin or other contaminant in his or her environment.

Land Use Planning and Zoning – The goal of land use planning and zoning is to maximize the environmental, economic and social benefits of land use and development.

Power Plant Siting/Licensing – Lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker have sought to block the construction of unsafe and polluting power plants, and to promote development of alternative renewable energy sources, both in administrative proceedings before the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Public Utilities Commission and through court appeals of CEC and CPUC decisions to the California Supreme Court.

Public Lands Management – Lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker ensure that the federal government properly manages its public lands and waters to protect their environmental quality for the benefit of fish and wildlife and the continued use and enjoyment of all.

Water Law – Lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker are committed to enforcing state and federal water quality and planning laws to protect fish and wildlife, ensure that water supplies are managed carefully, and to conserve water wherever possible.

Whistleblower Protection – The Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker is committed to prosecuting environmental wrongs and protecting the rights of whistleblowers.