Barry Groveman, Partner, brings extensive experience in environmental, administrative, civil, and criminal law, with a career spanning more than three decades. He has handled complex trials and litigation and regulatory matters on behalf of public entities, multinational corporations, and individual clients, with a focus on environmental law, occupational safety, and high-stakes civil and criminal proceedings.
Mr. Groveman began his legal career with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, where he served as a criminal trial deputy and later as a senior assistant city attorney in charge of the Environmental Protection Division. In that role he also served as counsel to the Los Angeles City Council and the Mayor of Los Angeles. He subsequently was appointed Special Assistant District Attorney and head of the Environmental Crimes/OSHA Division for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. In that role he led the “Toxic Waste Strike Force” a multi enforcement agency team that led the nation in the crackdown of major environmental crimes.
In private practice, he has represented clients in complex environmental and regulatory matters, including landmark cases involving groundwater contamination, hazardous waste, and occupational safety. He has also served as environmental counsel to public agencies, cities, and water districts, including the Los Angeles Unified School District for over four decades, and was a principal author of California’s Landmark Environmental Law, Proposition 65, the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.”, Mr. Groveman also has played a key role in drafting California statutes and municipal ordinances relating to drinking water, environmental impacts to schools, hazardous waste issues and the criminal enforcement of environmental laws.
Mr. Groveman served two terms as Mayor of the City of Calabasas and led the effort to enact the first successful “Secondhand Smoke “ordinance in the nation.
In his free time, Mr. Groveman is a regular mountain biker, enjoys scuba diving, photography, and owns a small vineyard from which he produces fine cabernet wines.
Areas of Practice:
- Environmental Law
- Administrative Law
- White Collar Criminal trials and Civil litigation
- Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
- Prevention of Criminal and Civil Liability
- Occupational Safety (OSHA)
- Endangered Species
- Land Use and CEQA
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Juris Doctor, Southwestern University School of Law (S.C.A.L.E. Honors Program)
Admissions:
- State Bar of California
- California Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
Recognitions & Professional Activities:
- Commendation for Outstanding Service, District Attorneys Association
- Special Commendation from the Santa Monica City Council for “Extraordinary Service to the Citizens of Santa Monica to Ensure Restoration of Santa Monica’s Precious Water Resources”, Presented April 16, 1998 by the Mayor and Members of the Santa Monica City Council
- Commendation for “Dedication to the Environmental Health and Safety of the Citizens of California” presented by California Secretary of State March Fong Eu, June 3, 1987.
- Recipient of the “International Monitor Award” presented by a consortium of environmental groups based in Washington, D.C. for “Achievement in The Enforcement of Environmental Laws”.
Publications:
- Mr. Groveman has published several Op Ed articles in the Los Angeles Times and was selected to author the Article on the “Past 25 Years of Environmental Law,” for the 25th Anniversary Edition of Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, March, 2002.
