Geralyn L. Skapik

Geralyn Skapik’s practice area focuses primarily in litigation of environmental and land use matters, including matters involving the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Global Warming and Climate Change, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Multispecies Habitat Conservation Plans, Coastal Commission Act, the Subdivision Map Act, the Public Records Act, California Planning and Zoning Laws, and Designation and Delineation of Wetlands.

Ms. Skapik assists both public agencies and private entities with the preparation and defense of environmental documents prepared in association with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, including Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). Ms. Skapik has substantial state and appellate court experience litigating such matters, as well as litigating environmental matters involving U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Game and Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Ms. Skapik was lead counsel in an action involving U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whereby she successfully persuaded U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to de-designate thousands of acres of potential habitat for the federally threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp.  Ms. Skapik has represented numerous private companies, governmental agencies and public entities in environmental matters and litigation, including the Santa Barbara Community College District, San Bernardino County School District, Riverside Conservation Agency, Rancho California Water District, Cities of Banning, Buellton, Colton, Elk Grove, Fresno, Goleta, Hemet, Laguna Woods, Oxnard, Riverside and Santa Clarita. Ms. Skapik has comprehensive knowledge of local environmental issues facing communities throughout California, and has written the local CEQA Guidelines for municipalities, and lectured on the procedural and substantive aspects of CEQA. 

Ms. Skapik has extensive experience in Climate Change and Global Warming, and has recently litigated cases related to Climate Control and how environmental documents are to evaluate and assess the project’s impacts on Global Warming.  Ms. Skapik also has litigated issues involving endangered species, wetlands delineation, water supply, water transfers, water quality, air quality, traffic, and mining rights.  California Oak Foundation, et al. v. City of Santa Clarita (2005) 133 Cal.App.4th 1219; Sierra Club v. City of Santa Clarita, (2008) WL 224373 (Cal.App. 2 Dist.); Santa Barbara Channelkeeper v. California Coastal Com'n, (2005) WL 2660048.

Ms. Skapik was involved in a case of first impression dealing with SB 221 and SB 610, which relate to a water agency's responsibility in preparing a Water Supply Assessment for a major development project. California Water Impact Network v. Newhall County Water District/GateKing Properties, (2008) 161 Cal.App.4th 1464.  She has also lectured on the procedural and content requirements of a Water Supply Assessment under SB221 and SB610.

Ms. Skapik was also on the trial team that successfully defended the City of Goleta in a legal challenge involving issues surrounding a subdivision map, prevailing in the California Supreme Court in the published opinion City of Goleta v. Superior Court (2006) 40 Cal.4th 270.

Ms. Skapik has specialized experience in Superfund clean-up, Proposition 65, actions filed by the Attorney General's office on behalf of the Department of Toxic Substances Control against private companies for various code and permit violations, and land use issues, preparation of environmental opinion letters issued for public offerings, underground storage tank investigation, remediation and litigation, and preparation and implementation of Hazardous Communication Standard programs.

Ms. Skapik has extensive trial experience in the defense of complex products liability cases involving industrial, construction and retail products. Ms. Skapik has litigated complex multi-million dollar toxic tort matters, and has represented Fortune 500 companies in landmark environmental/toxic tort cases, including the Lockheed Litigation, the General Dynamics Litigation, and the Hughes Aircraft Litigation. These toxic tort actions were brought by employees of various aircraft manufacturing companies for alleged injuries caused by exposure to chemicals in connection with the construction of aircraft and weapons.

Ms. Skapik received her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in 1984, and her J.D. from Western State University, College of Law, in 1989. In addition, Ms. Skapik is a volunteer mediator for the Superior Courts.

Ms. Skapik is admitted to practice in all California courts and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.