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Alison N. Kleaver

Alison N. Kleaver joined the California State University's Office of the General Counsel in February 2017. Alison is the University Counsel for San Francisco State University and a member of the Academic & Student Affairs team. She previously was University Counsel for Humboldt State University. Alison is also the resource attorney for immigration, and student discipline. Before joining the CSU, Alison was an associate with Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, where was a member of the business trials practice group and the Latin America team. At Sheppard, Alison represented clients in a variety of business disputes, with a specialty in complex environmental and toxic torts claims. Alison also advised and counseled clients on environmental matters, including regulatory and permitting matters, and compliance with federal and state air quality and hazardous waste laws. Alison co-chaired the Women Lawyers Group at Sheppard and served as a member of the recruiting and technology committees. In addition to her work at Sheppard, Alison taught as an adjunct professor at Southwestern Law School and served as an Associates Committee Representative for the United States Law Firm Group, Environmental Section. Alison is admitted to practice law in California and the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California.

Education:

  • J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, 2007
    • E​ditor-in-Chief, Southwestern University Law Review
    • Member, Moot Court Honors Program
    • Co-founder, Southwestern Emergency Legal Clinic
    • Co-chair, Public Interest Law Committee
  • A.B., Political Science & Spanish, Washington University in St. Louis, 2004, magna cum laude

Honors:

  • Super Lawyers “Southern California Rising Star," 2014-17
  • Legal Organizations & Activities:
  • District 7 (Los Angeles) Governor, California Women Lawyers Board of Governors
  • Member, National Association of College & University Attorneys
  • Publications:
  • American Bar Association: Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Newsletter, February 2017:
    • “Ninth Circuit Finds 'Threatened' Designation for Bearded Seals Proper Based on New Long-Term Projections"
    • “District Court Finds Clean Water Act Lawsuit May Proceed for Discharges to Waterways from Passing Rail Cars"
    • “California Court of Appeal Holds Ordinance Regulating Marijuana Dispensaries Not Subject to Environmental Quality Act Review"
  • American Bar Association: Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Newsletter, November 2016:
    • “Ninth Circuit Issues Major CERCLA Decision Finding That Arranger Liability Cannot Be Based on Contamination Deposited on a Site by the Wind"
    • “Ninth Circuit Issues Precedential Opinion Restricting the Navy's Peacetime Use of Sonar"
    • “California Supreme Court Affirms Public Entities' Right to Conduct Environmental Testing on Private Property but Revises Statute to Allow Jury Trial on Damages"
  • American Bar Association: Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Newsletter, August 2016:
    • “Colorado Supreme Court Determines Cities' Fracking Bans Preempted by State Law"
    • “Oregon District Court Finds State's Temporary Ban on Instream Motorized Mining Equipment to Be a Valid State Environmental Regulation and Not Preempted by Federal Law"
    • “California Supreme Court Adopts Sophisticated Intermediary Doctrine for Products Liability Claims"
  • American Bar Association: Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Newsletter, May 2016:
    • “Ninth Circuit Affirms EPA Rejection of Arizona Regional Haze Plan and Implementation of Federal Plan"
    • “District Court Limits Damages for Continuing Nuisance Claims to Three Years Preceding Filing of Action in California"
    • “California Supreme Court Rejects Expanded Environmental Quality Act Interpretation"
  • American Bar Association: Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Newsletter, February 2016:
    • “Court Grants Default Judgment, Damages, and Attorneys' Fees Against Waste Dump and Its President"
    • “Court Denies Preliminary Injunction to Prevent Implementation of Measures Protecting Sage-Grouse Species"
    • “Court Finds No Operator or Arranger Liability Based on Land Ownership in CERCLA Mining Case"
  • American Bar Association: Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Newsletter, October 2015:
    • “Tenth Circuit Holds That the Price-Anderson Act Does Not Preempt State Law Tort Claims"
    • “California Agencies Are Required to Mitigate Environmental Effects of Projects Even Where the Legislature Does Not Set Aside Money"
    • “Court Rejects Public Nuisance Claim Based Upon Voluntarily Incurred Investigation Costs"
  • "5 Things You Need to Know Now About Mexico's Energy Reforms," Sheppard Mullin Latin American Law Blog, April 24, 2014
  • "Mexico To Vote on Historic Amendment to Open Oil Industry to Private Investment," Sheppard Mullin Latin American Law Blog, December 10, 2013
  • "Understanding United States Products Liability and Environmental Laws: An Introduction for Latin American Businesses," by Olivier F. Theard, Polly Towill & Alison N. Kleaver, U.S./Mexico Bar Association, November 2012
  • "Meaning of FCPA's "Foreign Official" Causes Uncertainty for Companies Doing Business Abroad," Sheppard Mullin Latin American Law Blog, May 24, 2012

Contact:
Phone: (562) 951-4500
Fax: (562) 951-4956
akleaver@calstate.edu​

Support Staff:
Elizabeth Horta