Education
J.D., UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings)
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Bar Admissions
California
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
Memberships
State Bar of California, Sections on Litigation, Environment and Real Property
American Bar Association, Section on Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment
Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF), Environmental Law Section
Groundwater Resources Association
Sandi, a partner in the San Francisco office, practices in the areas of environmental, natural resources and land use counseling and litigation, primarily handling compliance and litigation under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and related state statutory and common laws, as well as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). She has handled all phases of litigation through mediation, trial and appeal in state and federal courts throughout California.
Sandi serves as lead counsel in complex, multi-party CERCLA and CWA/RCRA citizen-suit litigation relating to contaminated soil, groundwater, surface water and marine sediments. Her cases have included litigation involving petroleum hydrocarbon contamination, metals, PCBs, PAHs, and VOCs from various industrial operations, shipyards, energy and refinery facilities, bulk fuel terminals, truck stop and service station operations and port-related uses; manufactured gas plant wastes; dioxin; petroleum coke; chemical use and disposal at industrial and commercial office facilities; battery reclamation; and discharges from publicly-owned treatment works and dams. She also has handled indoor air quality litigation and environmental insurance coverage matters.
Sandi assists clients with environmental due diligence and contract negotiations for the sale and leasing of contaminated sites, including counseling clients on the investigation and remedial approaches to vapor intrusion, mold and asbestos issues and the procurement of environmental liability insurance policies. She has assisted institutional trustees in the management of environmentally-impaired trust and estate assets and has litigated eminent domain actions and title and boundary disputes.
Prior to joining Allen Matkins in 2007, Sandi was the Managing Partner of the California Offices of Stoel Rives LLP (2001-2006). She began her legal career with Washburn, Briscoe & McCarthy in 1981 and was its Managing Shareholder from 1996 until the merger with Stoel Rives in 2001.
Sandi serves as lead counsel in complex, multi-party CERCLA and CWA/RCRA citizen-suit litigation relating to contaminated soil, groundwater, surface water and marine sediments. Her cases have included litigation involving petroleum hydrocarbon contamination, metals, PCBs, PAHs, and VOCs from various industrial operations, shipyards, energy and refinery facilities, bulk fuel terminals, truck stop and service station operations and port-related uses; manufactured gas plant wastes; dioxin; petroleum coke; chemical use and disposal at industrial and commercial office facilities; battery reclamation; and discharges from publicly-owned treatment works and dams. She also has handled indoor air quality litigation and environmental insurance coverage matters.
Sandi assists clients with environmental due diligence and contract negotiations for the sale and leasing of contaminated sites, including counseling clients on the investigation and remedial approaches to vapor intrusion, mold and asbestos issues and the procurement of environmental liability insurance policies. She has assisted institutional trustees in the management of environmentally-impaired trust and estate assets and has litigated eminent domain actions and title and boundary disputes.
Prior to joining Allen Matkins in 2007, Sandi was the Managing Partner of the California Offices of Stoel Rives LLP (2001-2006). She began her legal career with Washburn, Briscoe & McCarthy in 1981 and was its Managing Shareholder from 1996 until the merger with Stoel Rives in 2001.
Breakfast Briefing: Stormwater Compliance Trends & Best Practices
Berkeley, California
3.21.18
Only Rain (Not Dollars) Down the Drain: Minimizing Industrial Stormwater Permit Litigation Risks
San Diego, California
1.25.18
Sunnyvale, California
11.12.14
Stormwater Management - Prepare or Beware
Santa Barbara, California
9.30.14
The Federal Clean Water Act: An Overview
Webinar
12.20.12
Getting Ahead of the Deals Coming Your Way in 2012: Avoiding Pitfalls in Real Property
San Francisco, California
1.24.12
Caveat Everyone: How to Avoid Key Pitfalls in Real Property Acquisitions and Dispositions
Santa Clara, California
8.24.11
San Francisco, California
3.10.11
Palo Alto - Land Use, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Briefing
Palo Alto, California
3.02.11
LSI Advanced Conference on Environmental Resource Litigation
San Francisco, California
7.28.08
LSI Air Quality Regulation in California
Los Angeles, California
4.14.08
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
11.01.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
10.18.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
10.11.24
Allen Matkins Receives Top Rankings from Benchmark Litigation US 2025
Seven Lawyers Receive Individual Rankings
Press Release
10.09.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
10.04.24
64 Allen Matkins Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®
Press Release
8.15.24
Chambers USA Ranks Allen Matkins Band 1 in California Real Estate
Environmental, Construction, and Land Use Practices Also Receive Top Rankings
6.06.24
Press Release
8.17.23
28 Allen Matkins Lawyers Named 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
6.30.23
Environmental Group Rises in Ranks; Construction and Land Use Practices Receive Top Rankings; 11 Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
6.05.23
Who's Who Legal: Environmental Report 2022
Sandi L. Nichols in Who's Who Legal
Press Mention
1.10.23
Press Release
10.06.22
Press Release
8.19.22
33 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.08.22
Construction, Environmental, and Land Use Practices Receive Top Rankings; Twelve Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
6.03.22
3.16.22
Press Release
11.04.21
Press Release
10.22.21
Thirty Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.14.21
Construction, Environmental, and Land Use Practices Receive Top Rankings; Thirteen Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
5.25.21
2021 Land Use, Environmental & Natural Resources Update
3.25.21
Press Release
11.05.20
Press Release
10.20.20
Sandi L. Nichols in GlobeSt/Real Estate Forum
Press Mention
7.22.20
Thirty-Two Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2020 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.08.20
Construction and Environmental Practices Receive Top Rankings; Twelve Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
5.12.20
Press Release
8.15.19
Thirty-Eight Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
6.26.19
Construction and Environmental Practices Receive Top Rankings; Fourteen Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
5.01.19
State Water Board Unveils Aggressive Plan to Issue Investigative Orders for PFAS
3.18.19
Press Release
11.01.18
Forty-One Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.16.18
Construction, Environmental and Labor & Employment Practices Receive Top Rankings; Eleven Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
5.08.18
Press Release
11.01.17
44 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2017 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.07.17
Construction, Environmental and Labor & Employment Practices Receive Top Rankings; Ten Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
5.31.17
Press Release
8.15.16
Fifty Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.08.16
Construction, Environmental and Labor & Employment Practices Receive Top Rankings; Nine Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
6.01.16
Leading Real Estate Law Firm Allen Matkins Marks 19 Years Helping Clients
Sandi L. Nichols, Michael E. McFadden and Rick C. Mallory in Real Estate Bisnow
Press Mention
5.09.16
Nationwide Stay of EPA/Army Corps "Waters of the U.S." Rule Issued By Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
10.09.15
Press Release
8.18.15
56 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Nine Allen Matkins attorneys received special honors in their respective regions.
Press Release
6.26.15
Construction, Environmental and Labor & Employment Practices Receive Top Rankings; 12 Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
5.28.15
Press Release
11.03.14
55 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2014
Press Release
7.03.14
6.24.14
Construction, Environmental, and Labor and Employment Practices Receive Top Rankings; 12 Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
5.27.14
Female Powerbrokers Q&A: Allen Matkins' Sandi Nichols
Sandi L. Nichols in Law360
Press Mention
4.14.14
It's Final—State Water Board Adopts New Industrial General Permit for Storm Water Discharges
4.11.14
1.07.14
Article
8.15.13
California State Water Board Issues New Draft Industrial Storm Water Permit
8.01.13
60 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2013 and Rising Stars 2013
Press Release
7.11.13
Construction, Environmental, and Labor and Employment Practices Receive Top Rankings; 12 Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
6.06.13
Commercial and Residential Developers, Builders and Landlords Face New Storm Water Regulations
5.21.13
Press Release
3.27.13
Thirty-Four Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America®
Press Release
8.23.12
61 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2012 and Rising Stars 2012
More Than 40 Percent of Firm's Partners Make the List
Press Release
7.19.12
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named in 2012 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America®
Press Release
9.19.11
Vapor Intrusion: A Game-Changer in How Property is Being Evaluated by Regulators & Lenders
8.31.11
60 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2011 and Rising Stars 2011
Press Release
7.27.11
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named in 2011 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America
Press Release
8.16.10
63 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2010 and Rising Stars 2010
Press Release
7.19.10
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named in 2010 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America
Press Mention
8.19.09
57 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2009 and Rising Stars 2009
Press Release
7.14.09
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named in 2009 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America
Press Release
10.08.08
44 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2008 and Rising Stars 2008
Press Release
8.13.08
Who is affected? Anyone who prepares, reviews, or relies upon CEQA documents, including: project developers - professional planners - land use officials - CEQA practitioners
6.20.08
A Winter Storm of Climate Change Activity
1.02.08
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers
Press Mention
9.17.07
News & Insights
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