Sara V. Mogharabi
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Sara V. Mogharabi

Counsel

Denver
303.825.7000C 303.435.9579
Washington, DC
202.355.0253

My focus as an environmental attorney is on helping my clients find practical, efficient solutions to complex environmental problems. I use my diverse set of legal skills and wide-ranging experience in environmental law to approach problems holistically and craft strategies that achieve both immediate objectives and long-term goals. I am an effective manager of large, fact-intensive environmental matters and cases. I love that every day practicing environmental law brings a new challenge, and I am eager to help you with yours.

Environmental attorney Sara V. Mogharabi assists public and private sector clients with regulatory compliance, project development, and litigation matters. She has experience advising clients on the full spectrum of federal environmental and natural resource laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Clean Water Act; the Clean Air Act; the Endangered Species Act; the Safe Drinking Water Act; the National Environmental Policy Act; and related state laws.

Much of Sara’s current work touches on water, waste, and energy, including: groundwater remediation projects; water quality permitting, including enforcement defense; the implementation of new state recycling laws; and environmental compliance at renewable energy facilities.  She regularly counsels clients on the emerging contaminant, PFAS, including regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and cost recovery strategies.  Sara has defended private clients in the real estate, mining, waste, manufacturing, recycling and energy sectors who face environmental enforcement actions. She regularly counsels property owners on brownfields and redevelopment projects, including negotiating and drafting agreements with relevant agencies, advising on voluntary cleanup programs and similar regulatory strategies, and assessing the availability of funding and cost recovery. 

Sara has litigation experience in federal and state courts and before agency tribunals. She has also carried out internal investigations at companies and assisted in settlement negotiations.

Representative Experience

  • Counsel airport operators, municipalities, and private sector clients on PFAS regulatory developments, best practices, risk reduction, and cost recovery for remedial efforts
  • Advise global renewable energy company on state and federal environmental compliance and responses to information requests from EPA and state agencies
  • Represent and advise producer responsibility organization implementing Colorado’s new recycling law for paper products and packaging materials
  • Support municipality with legal strategy for redevelopment of contaminated shopping center in coordination with state regulators and strategize for future CERCLA cost recovery
  • Defend owner of former battery manufacturing site against information request from state agency and potential enforcement action regarding alleged site contamination
  • Defended multiple developers in enforcement actions by the State of Colorado for alleged stormwater violations, culminating in favorable settlements for clients Represent municipality remediating groundwater contamination in CERCLA cost recovery litigation, including document review, coordination with insurance counsel, and developing factual and expert case against potentially responsible parties
  • Advised global manufacturer on response to spill of hazardous materials, coordinated an internal investigation and regulatory compliance audit at the company’s facility, and represented client in settlement negotiations with the state
  • Defended a global manufacturer on liability and cost allocation for PCB contamination of a waterway in complex CERCLA cost recovery suit, helping secure a jury verdict of zero liability in federal court
  • Defended an energy client against lawsuits alleging breach of contract of the company’s mineral leases
  • Orchestrated orderly transfer of environmental permits for oil and gas refineries nationwide after client acquired a national refining company
  • Advised clients in North America and Europe on compliance with California’s Proposition 65
  • Represented water district in National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Water Act compliance and strategy for its planned reservoir project in one of the fastest-growing counties in America
  • Counseled oil and gas companies on Endangered Species Act compliance, including the development of unique take-avoidance protocols and general conservation plans
  • Provided National Environmental Policy Act counseling, including advising infrastructure clients on environmental and related reviews for their projects
  • Provided guidance to electronic and pharmaceutical clients on compliance with state and local product regulatory laws, including EPR regimes and take-back programs
  • Attained asylum in pro bono immigrant matter for indigenous Guatemalan mother and her daughters

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