Samantha R. Caravello

City and County of Denver, Colorado. Represented Denver in state court litigation defending against a challenge to Denver’s methodology for calculating noise exposure levels pursuant to the 1988 Intergovernmental Agreement that led to the creation of Denver International Airport.

City of Los Angeles, California. Represented Los Angeles before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a successful challenge to FAA flight procedures at Los Angeles International Airport under the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act.

Forney Museum of Transportation. Represented the Forney Museum of Transportation in a Colorado Court of Appeals case concerning the scope of an access easement and the Museum’s implied rights with respect to an adjacent property. Successfully obtained reversal in part of a trial court decision adverse to the Museum.

Environmental Defense Fund FOIA Litigation. Represent the Environmental Defense Fund in multiple Freedom of Information Act lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that have resulted in the disclosure of public records.

California Electric Utility Rate Cases. Represent a nonprofit organization in California Public Utilities Commission proceedings advocating for sufficient funding for the build-out of electric distribution infrastructure.

Colorado Oil and Gas Regulations. Represented environmental groups and a coalition of local governments in Colorado Air Quality Control Commission rulemakings addressing air quality issues from oil and gas activities. Represented environmental and public health groups in related state court litigation.

Colorado Clean Car and Clean Truck Standards. Represented environmental groups and coalition of local governments in successfully advocating for the adoption of low-emission and zero-emission vehicle standards and clean truck standards before the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. Represented environmental groups in defense of low-emission and zero-emission vehicle standards in state court litigation.

Additional Representative Litigation Experience:

Submitted amicus curiae briefs on behalf of nonprofit clients in high-profile federal and state litigation, including a challenge to national monument boundaries and lawsuits alleging state law nuisance claims against fossil fuel companies.

Defended the Bureau of Land Management’s authority to regulate methane waste from oil and gas development on publicly and tribally owned lands at both district court and appellate levels; challenged efforts by a subsequent administration to suspend and rescind regulations.