Christopher Dow - a San Francisco, CA Environmental Law Lawyer

San Francisco Environmental Law Lawyer

Updated: 03/17/2026

Areas of Practice

Environmental Law
Toxic Tort

Attorney Information

Overview

Christopher Dow is a litigation and regulatory compliance attorney focusing on CERCLA hazardous waste site cleanup and cost recovery, and other environmental matters. His experience includes advising on a CERCLA enforcement matter for an owner of a former military munitions site in the San Francisco Bay Area, and successfully defending a PRP in CERCLA litigation arising out of a $1B polychlorinated biphenyls site cleanup. Prior to relocating to California, Chris practiced law in New York, where he handled litigation and regulatory issues arising out of CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Notably, he analyzed environmental impacts for complex land use projects, including a planned statewide communications network for first responders arising out of lessons learned after the 9/11 attacks. Prior to that he was Associate Counsel at the New York State Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform, where he played a key role in managing state environmental regulations.

As a nationally published author and former managing editor of an online legal research database, Chris's writing and research skills are among his greatest professional assets. His publications for the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) include: Hawkes v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Is a Wetlands Jurisdictional Determination Reviewable Under the Administrative Procedure Act?; A Tale of Two Rivers: An Analysis of Different Approaches to Proving Intent for CERCLA Arranger Liability; and Treatment of CERCLA Claims for Hazardous Waste Cleanup Costs in Bankruptcy.

Chris graduated cum laude with a J.D. from Albany Law School in 1994. Before pursuing his legal education, he earned a B.A. in religious studies from Hobart College, graduating cum laude in 1990 and making the Dean's List three consecutive years. In his free time, Chris is an avid volunteer in his community as a member of the Coalition of Concerned Legal Professionals. He has also volunteered for San Francisco Baykeeper and is a member of the California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section.

Chris is admitted to practice law in California, New York, and Massachusetts.

Education

Legal Education
- Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York, 1994
  J.D.
  Honors: cum laude
Non Legal Education
- Hobart College, 1990
  B.A.
  Honors: cum laude
  Honors: Dean’s List
  Major: Religious Studies

Current Employment Position(s)

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Partner
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Past Positions

New York State Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform, Associate Counsel

Pro Bono Activities

Coalition of Concerned Legal Professionals, Member
San Francisco Baykeeper, Volunteer

Published Works

Articles

Hawkes v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Is a Wetlands Jurisdictional Determination Reviewable Under the Administrative Procedure Act?
A Tale of Two Rivers: An Analysis of Different Approaches to Proving Intent for CERCLA Arranger Liability
Treatment of CERCLA Claims for Hazardous Waste Cleanup Costs in Bankruptcy

Bar Admissions

California
Massachusetts
New York

Other Affiliations

California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section (Member)

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Contact

San Francisco, CA

601 Montgomery St
Suite 1100
San Francisco, CA 94111

Directions

Phone: 628-218-6960

Fax: 415-397-1339

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.teamghb.com

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday: Closed

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Christopher Dow - San Francisco, CA