Complex environmental cases rarely proceed to actual trial; however, Richard Dongell, Tom Vandenburg and Josh Levine conducted the trial of a complex environmental case in San Bernardino County involving a dispute between the Firm’s client, a large manufacturer, and its former subsidiary (now controlled by different owners) over responsibility to clean up historic contamination.  Prior to trial, the Firm first eliminated a $1.4 million breach of contract claim against our client by summary adjudication motion.  On the morning of the first day of trial, the former subsidiary offered to pay $400,000 to settle.  Our client declined this offer and proceeded to trial.  After eight days of trial, however, the former subsidiary agreed to pay $1.35 million, an amount well within the range for which our client was seeking to recover, and the parties settled.  Coupled with the breach of contract victory, this resulted in a 2.75 million swing in our client’s favor.