Overview

Lorien Giles is a commercial and environmental litigator who handles disputes from the earliest risk assessment through trial. He works inside the Trial and Litigation and Land Use and Environmental Law practice groups, where he represents companies and government entities across California. His experience includes land use issues, permitting claims, regulatory investigations, Clean Water Act matters, CERCLA issues, Superfund sites, class action nuisance claims, general commercial litigation, and arbitration.

Lorien takes a practical and client-focused approach by tailoring his strategy to those goals, Lorien has secured significant results, including a multi-million-dollar settlement with regional banks, an eight-figure cross-site pollution summary judgment, and successful management of several litigation portfolios.

Rather than pushing every dispute into an expensive litigation track, Lorien evaluates what each matter requires. Some cases demand aggressive motion work and trial preparation. Others call for a surgical negotiation or regulatory approach that protects operations and preserves capital. For example, Lorien resolved a Clean Water Act claim for a Los Angeles manufacturer with a minimal penalty so the company could relocate and maintain operations without major alterations to its existing site or a substantial penalty.

His clients have ranged from single-site manufacturers to large municipal ports and international companies. They value his ability to translate California’s complex environmental and business laws into clear guidance and to chart a path that protects both legal and economic interests. He collaborates closely with colleagues across the firm, so clients receive comprehensive support anchored in deep knowledge of the state’s regulatory landscape.