Profile
Hazel Ocampo is an Environmental, Natural Resources, and Land Use attorney, guiding clients through the intricacies of federal, state, and local regulations including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, CEQA, Superfund, RCRA, the Endangered Species Act, and California’s Proposition 65.
Hazel regularly conducts audits and defends companies subject to government agency investigations and enforcement regarding alleged violations of environmental regulations. Specifically, Hazel handles administrative enforcement actions before the U.S. Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Department of Environmental Health, and the Air Pollution Control District. She also advises clients on a variety of compliance matters, renewable energy, real estate due diligence (Phase I/Phase II), and universal and hazardous waste regulations.
Hazel has represented a variety of industrial operators, including national telecommunications companies, aeronautic manufacturers, vehicle manufacturers, metal recyclers, food processors, and dry cleaners in cases involving air emissions, vapor intrusion, contaminated groundwater, surface water and soil.
Prior to entering private practice, Hazel worked for the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) where she assisted with the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Prior to that, she was selected for the prestigious Executive Fellowship in the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA). While with Cal/EPA, she handled matters relating to water and soil contamination and automotive issues for the Schwarzenegger Administration.
Concentrations
- Air, water, and waste regulation
- Real estate due diligence
- Governmental investigations
- Superfund and contamination
- Water rights
- Water resources
- Renewable energy
- Climate change
Capabilities
Experience
- Reduced multimillion-dollar penalties in Regional Water Quality Control Board administrative enforcement actions targeting private companies and developers for alleged violations of Waste Discharge Requirements.°
- Represented Fortune 500 Company in action alleging marine sediment contamination in San Diego Bay due to PAHs, PCBs and heavy metals.°
- Reduced hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential penalties for asbestos-related violations in enforcement actions by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD).°
- Represented dry cleaner facilities in enforcement action by the San Diego Department of Environmental Health (DEH) regarding alleged contamination of soil/groundwater due to volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) including Perchloroethylene (perc).°
- Defended electronics recycling company in enforcement action by the Department of Toxic Substances Control regarding alleged violations of California Hazardous Waste laws.°
- Represented private ranch owner regarding regarding an un-permitted stream alteration in a multi-agency action involving the California Attorney General, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.°
- Represented the largest U.S. producer of blue-green algae securing various operational permits after a 20+ year operation, negotiated for zero penalties associated with prior uses, and achieved approvals for facility expansion.°
- Secured operational permits for major beef processing facility, including a full regulatory compliance plan to commence operations, resulting in record-breaking opening date.°
- Secured development permits for national housing developers including Clean Water Act Sec. 401 Certification, Sec. 404 NWP Authorization and Streambed Alteration Agreement under the California Fish and Game Code.°
- Represented natural gas and electricity provider involved in joint investigation by various California District Attorneys for alleged violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law, resulting in no enforcement and zero penalties.°
- Represented after-market vehicle parts manufacturers and dealers in enforcement action by the United States Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.°
- Advised major telecommunications companies regarding compliance with California Hazardous Waste laws, and in formal investigation by the California Attorney General.°
- Represented major manufacturer of grooming products in third-party investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), opposing proposed merger of two competitors who threatened to dominate the market.°
- Represented FDA-regulated organic vitamin supplement manufacturer with respect to product compliance issues.°
- Created regulatory roadmap and compliance plan for Research and Development facility seeking to obtain federal, state, and local authorizations to produce biofuels, including the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).°
- Represented FDA-regulated company with global operations involved in the production of algin and biogum used in food and cosmetic products.°
- Secured FDA approvals for Latin American medical device company seeking to sell products in the U.S.°
- Counseled corporate entities on imports, exports, and agricultural product compliance.°
- Advised Japanese manufacturing companies regarding complex regulations applicable to unique safety products proposed for sale in the U.S.°
- Defended multimillion-dollar CERCLA suit against automotive parts recycler by proving de minimis contribution.°
- Defended Proposition 65 actions involving product manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, and distributors.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Ocampo prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Law Clerk, White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), 2010
- Law Clerk, California Environmental Protection Agency, 2010
- Law Clerk, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2009
- Executive Fellow, Cal/EPA, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2007-2008
Recognition & Leadership
- Team Member, a Law360 “Environmental Practice Group of the Year,” 2022
- Member, American Bar Association
- Vice Chair of Membership, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources 2019-2021
- Chair-Elect, Meritas Young Lawyer Advisory Board, 2020
- Co-Chair, Meritas Environmental Energy, and Resources Practice Group, 2018-2020
- Leadership Committee, California Minority Counsel Program, Women of Color Conference
- Board Member, San Diego Chamber Young Leaders
- Member, La Raza Lawyers Association
- Past Annual Meeting Co-Chair, 2019-2020
- Member, Ivy League Club of San Diego
- Member, Cornell Club of San Diego
- Member, Abogadas MX
Credentials
-
J.D., Cornell Law School
- Editor, Journal of Law and Public Policy
- B.A., University of California at Los Angeles
- California
- Spanish, Native
News, Insights & Events
Hazel is a contributor to the E2 Law Blog 