Clark J. Davis practices in the area of environmental litigation, with over 35 years of experience in cases arising under environmental laws, including enforcement actions, cost recovery actions, insurance disputes and investigations by environmental enforcement agencies. Mr. Davis also represents clients in real estate transactions, particularly matters involving environmental issues.
After graduating from law school in 1979, Mr. Davis spent two years as a law clerk for Judge Caleb R. Layton in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Because of the concentration of companies incorporated in Delaware, he had the opportunity to work on judicial decisions concerning a wide range of issues arising in commercial litigation filed in that court. After moving to Washington State in 1981, he spent a year teaching at Seattle University Law School, followed by 15 months in the Washington Office of the Attorney General, where he was hired to represent the State of Washington in a complex class action filed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Washington Federation of State Employees.
Mr. Davis entered private practice in 1984, handling civil litigation, including commercial litigation, insurance claims, and real estate matters. Due to the rapid growth in the importance of environmental law, and the demand for skilled lawyers in this area, representation of clients with potential environmental liability soon became the predominant area of his practice. Throughout his years in private practice Mr. Davis has represented individuals and businesses in investigations and enforcement actions by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington State Department of Ecology, and environmental enforcement agencies in other states. Among other accomplishments, Mr. Davis was among the first attorneys in the nation to pursue and obtain coverage under comprehensive general liability insurance policies for liability arising from environmental contamination.
Mr. Davis has represented some of the largest companies doing business in the State of Washington, at sites requiring major environmental cleanup. He also frequently represents individuals and small businesses in cases of relatively minor environmental contamination, such as leaking storage tanks.
Credentials
Areas of Practice
Environmental Litigation
Bar Admissions
Washington, 1981
Idaho, 1982
Oregon, 2012
U.S. District Court Western District of Washington, 1982
U.S. District Court District of Oregon, 2017
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1993
Education
Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts
J.D. cum laude - 1979
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
A.B. - 1973
Major: Philosophy
Representative Cases
Portland Harbor Superfund Site, Portland, Oregon
Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site, Seattle, Washington
Commencement Bay Superfund Site, Tacoma, Washington
Western Processing Superfund Site, Kent, Washington
Midway Landfill Superfund Site, Kent, Washington
Kent-Highlands Landfill Superfund Site, Kent, Washington
Tulalip Landfill Superfund Site, Tulalip, Washington
I&J Waterway Site, Bellingham, Washington
Strandley/Manning Superfund Site, Purdy, Washington
Counsel to parties in numerous real estate transactions involving environmental issues
Counsel to parties in numerous insurance coverage disputes
Counsel to parties in numerous environmental claims and enforcement actions
Honors and Awards
AV Rated
Professional Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association (Section on Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law)
Federal Bar Association
Cornell University, Ambassador
Peninsula Advisory Commission, Chairman
Board of Directors, Tacoma Youth Symphony, Former Member
National Youth Sports Coaches Association
Peninsula Schools Education Foundation, Former President
Past Employment Positions
State of Washington, Assistant Attorney General
Seattle University Law School
Judge Caleb R. Layton, Law Clerk