Education
J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
B.A., with highest distinction, University of Virginia
Bar Admissions
California
Washington, D.C.
Court Admissions
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
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Industries
Memberships
American Bar Association
Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF)
California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
David’s edge as an environmental lawyer comes from the grounding he received early in his career as a general business litigator, and from his long experience since the late 1980s in service to a broad spectrum of clients in environmental litigation, regulatory compliance, Superfund, and environmental aspects of real estate transactions and development.
An effective environmental practice exists in the space where law, science, and public policy intersect. Thus, while David devotes a part of his practice to representing clients in relation to adversaries in court or before governmental agencies, he also spends a great deal of his time teaming with environmental scientists and interfacing with regulators in order to help clients get their deals done, or put regulatory problems behind them, usually when the complexities seem most overwhelming. David’s clients value his responsiveness, practical approach, and deep understanding of their businesses, which grow out of an abiding intellectual curiosity about how their industries work and how their organizations function.
Over the years, David has been a go-to environmental litigator as well as a trusted advisor. He has focused on hazardous waste and contaminated property issues; counseling, negotiation, investigation, and mediation in the purchase and sale and reuse of contaminated properties, groundwater, and surface water bodies. His broad litigation experience includes matters under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA), the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). David’s environmental litigation practice encompasses all phases of litigation, through trial and appeal.
David partners frequently with Allen Matkins real estate lawyers on the environmental aspects of real property transactions, and he has particular experience counseling policyholder clients on environmental insurance and coverage claims.
David’s portfolio includes representing the Imperial Irrigation District, the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and numerous businesses in federal and state courts in matters involving federal and state environmental laws and related disputes. His industrial clients include an oil company, food products producers, an aircraft engine manufacturer, a paper mill, a railroad, and a former mining company, among many others. His developer and other transactional clients include some of the most well-known and respected real estate professionals in California.
In the community, David is a founding director of Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, Inc., which provides shelter, housing, meals and support services for more homeless and impoverished individuals and families in San Francisco than any other non-profit in the City. He is particularly active in the development and oversight of its innovative supportive housing programs.
An effective environmental practice exists in the space where law, science, and public policy intersect. Thus, while David devotes a part of his practice to representing clients in relation to adversaries in court or before governmental agencies, he also spends a great deal of his time teaming with environmental scientists and interfacing with regulators in order to help clients get their deals done, or put regulatory problems behind them, usually when the complexities seem most overwhelming. David’s clients value his responsiveness, practical approach, and deep understanding of their businesses, which grow out of an abiding intellectual curiosity about how their industries work and how their organizations function.
Over the years, David has been a go-to environmental litigator as well as a trusted advisor. He has focused on hazardous waste and contaminated property issues; counseling, negotiation, investigation, and mediation in the purchase and sale and reuse of contaminated properties, groundwater, and surface water bodies. His broad litigation experience includes matters under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA), the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). David’s environmental litigation practice encompasses all phases of litigation, through trial and appeal.
David partners frequently with Allen Matkins real estate lawyers on the environmental aspects of real property transactions, and he has particular experience counseling policyholder clients on environmental insurance and coverage claims.
David’s portfolio includes representing the Imperial Irrigation District, the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and numerous businesses in federal and state courts in matters involving federal and state environmental laws and related disputes. His industrial clients include an oil company, food products producers, an aircraft engine manufacturer, a paper mill, a railroad, and a former mining company, among many others. His developer and other transactional clients include some of the most well-known and respected real estate professionals in California.
In the community, David is a founding director of Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, Inc., which provides shelter, housing, meals and support services for more homeless and impoverished individuals and families in San Francisco than any other non-profit in the City. He is particularly active in the development and oversight of its innovative supportive housing programs.
Sunnyvale, California
11.12.14
CCCBA Real Estate Section, New Developments in Land Use Law
Walnut Creek, California
3.18.11
Walnut Creek Land Use Environmental and Natural Resources Law Briefing
Walnut Creek, California
2.17.11
Business Law Developments Breakfast Briefing - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
10.07.10
Business Law Developments Breakfast Briefing - Palo Alto
Palo Alto, California
10.06.10
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
4.26.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
4.19.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
4.05.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
3.29.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
3.22.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
3.15.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
3.08.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
3.01.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
2.23.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
2.16.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
2.09.24
California Environmental Law & Policy Update
2.02.24
Press Release
8.17.23
28 Allen Matkins Lawyers Named 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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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
2023 Land Use, Environmental, & Natural Resources Update
5.01.23
EPA Approves New ASTM Standard For Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments
5.01.23
U.S. EPA and California Move Towards Comprehensive PFAS Regulation
5.01.23
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
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11.04.21
Press Release
10.22.21
Thirty Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
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Construction, Environmental, and Land Use Practices Receive Top Rankings; Thirteen Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
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2021 Land Use, Environmental & Natural Resources Update
3.25.21
Press Release
11.05.20
Press Release
10.20.20
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
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5.04.20
Calif. Water Utility Sues Feds For $1.3M Water Treatment Cost
David D. Cooke and Kamran Javandel in Law360
Press Mention
1.21.20
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
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
EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Approve New Definition of "Waters of the United States"
5.27.15
Press Release
11.03.14
Draft CEQA Guidelines Would Dramatically Alter Analysis of Transportation Impacts Under SB 743
8.18.14
55 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2014
Press Release
7.03.14
6.24.14
EPA Extends Comment Period on New Rule regarding "Waters of the United States"
6.16.14
Construction, Environmental, and Labor and Employment Practices Receive Top Rankings; 12 Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
5.27.14
Expanding the Definition of "Waters of the United States" – EPA's Proposed New Rule
4.22.14
1.23.14
1.07.14
By David D. Cooke and Emily L. Murray in the Oil & Gas Monitor
Article
12.11.13
11.26.13
EPA Endorses New ASTM Phase I Standard
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Article
8.15.13
60 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2013 and Rising Stars 2013
Press Release
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Construction, Environmental, and Labor and Employment Practices Receive Top Rankings; 12 Individual Attorneys Recognized for High Achievement
Press Release
6.06.13
Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco
1.18.13
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
Sackett v. EPA: Supreme Court Authorizes Pre-Enforcement Review of Clean Water Act Compliance
4.05.12
U.S. Supreme Court Authorizes Pre-Enforcement Review of Clean Water Act Compliance Orders
3.27.12
60 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2011 and Rising Stars 2011
Press Release
7.27.11
Cap-and-Trade: California's Controversial Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
7.12.11
Press Release
6.20.11
US States Take Initiative on Cap-and-Trade
David D. Cooke in Energy Source
Press Mention
2.03.11
Pacific Coast Fisherman Challenge Rules Allocating Ground Water Rights to Trawlers
By David D. Cooke in Western Water Law Policy Reporter
Article
12.01.10
63 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2010 and Rising Stars 2010
Press Release
7.19.10
“The Air District’s new comprehensive CEQA Guidelines provide tools for local agencies to use in making smart development decisions that protect residents from harmful air emissions and reduce greenhouse gases.” Jack Broadbent, executive officer of BAAQMD
6.24.10
Attorneys Rank in Top Four Percent of 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers
Press Release
8.27.09
57 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2009 and Rising Stars 2009
Press Release
7.14.09
Supreme Court Decision Provides Framework for Limiting Superfund Cleanup Liability
5.08.09
44 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2008 and Rising Stars 2008
Press Release
8.13.08
This alert details the plan set forth by CARB to significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in California by 2020.
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News & Insights
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