Donald C. Nanney

Of Counsel

Los Angeles

(310) 460-4479

(310) 594-3117

Donald’s practice focuses on environmental law and real estate, including environmental aspects of business and real estate transactions, regulatory compliance counseling, environmental assessments/audits, contractual allocation of environmental risks, environmental insurance, environmental litigation, claims and penalties, hazardous materials emergencies, and sustainability issues.

Donald is the author of Environmental Risks in Real Estate Transactions: A Practical Guide (Second Edition, 1993; First Edition, 1990) and co-author of California Environmental Law Handbook (Third Edition, 1989, through Eleventh Edition, 1999). He has published widely on issues in his areas of focus, with articles appearing in legal journals and other professional and business publications, and has frequently spoken at programs held by the Los Angeles County Bar Association, State Bar of California, and other professional organizations.

Experience

Government/Military Experience

  • Planning Commissioner; Commissioner, Board of Zoning Appeals; City of Pasadena, Calif. (2017 – present)
  • Member of Citizens Task Force on Financial Administration and Internal Controls, appointed by Mayor of Pasadena, Calif., in response to a $6.4 million embezzlement case by a city employee (2015)
  • Veteran, Vietnam War Era (ending in November 1975)
  • Captain, U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General’s Corps (Active Duty 1975–1979); assigned as Legal Officer in the Administrative Law Division, Office of The Judge Advocate General, Department of the Army, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; received Meritorious Service Medal and Honorable Discharge
  • Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Signal Corps, Infantry; assigned to graduate studies in law under the Distinguished Military Graduate Program of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (1971-1974)
  • Army ROTC Cadet, with full tuition four-year scholarship from U.S. Army, at Stanford University (1967– 1971)

Symposium/Seminar Program Materials

  • Anthropogenic Global Warming: Believe it or Not, It's Here, Special Conference Supplement, Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium on Real Estate Law and Business, 2008
  • Environmental Insurance: The Top 10 Changes in Policy Terms That Insureds Should Seek and Insurers May Give, Real Property Law Section, The State Bar of California, 2007
  • Negotiation of Enviromental Insurance: Key Changes in Policy Terms That Insureds Should Seek and Insurers May Give, Real Property Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2007
  • Environmental Indemnities in Loan Documents: Theory and Practice, Real Property Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2005
  • Phase II Environmental Studies: When, Why & How?, Real Property Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2003
  • New Brownfields Legislation: Real Progress or Window Dressing?, Real Property Section/Environmental Law Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2002
  • Top 10 Pitfalls for Real Estate Attorneys Reviewing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Real Property Section/Environmental Law Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2001
  • Learning from Belmont Learning Center (An Environmental Primer for Land Deals), Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association - Los Angeles County Bar Association (Real Property Section), 2001
  • Strike While the Market is HOT: Developments and Trends in Contaminated Real Property Transactions, In-House Presentation for confidential client, 1999
  • Mitigating Factors in Appraisal and Valuation of Contaminated Real Property (Co-Author) (Program: Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder: What Is Contaminated Property Really Worth, Real Property Section/Environmental Law Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1999
  • To Lend or Not to Lend, That is Still the Question, but Fiduciaries Have Real New Protection from Environmental Liability; (Program: Hazardous Waste and Real Property Transactions), California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1998
  • Environmental Due Diligence in Real Estate Transactions: Will the Hope for a Level Playing Field be Realized? (Program: Hazardous Waste and Real Property Transactions), California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1998
  • Environmental Insurance is Finally Catching On (Program: Hazardous Waste and Real Property Transactions), California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1998
  • Asbestos Compliance Duties for Landlords and Tenants and Environmental Insurance (Program: Exploring the Complexities of Commercial Leasing -- A Walkabout with the Pros), The Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium/Real Property Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1997
  • Toxic Materials Legal and Legislative Update (Program: Fulcrum for the Future: Striving for Environmental Excellence), Association of Environmental Professionals, 1996
  • Environmental Liability for Contaminated Real Property (Program: Bridging the Gap (Into Real Property Law), Part II), Real Property Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1996
  • New Asbestos Regulations: OSHA Rules Affecting Real Property Management (Program: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Real Estate Sales & Brokerage Law and Much More), Real Property Section - The State Bar of California, 1994
  • Environmental Due Diligence in Real Estate Transactions: Will the Hope for a Level Playing Field be Realized? (Program: Environmental Liabilities in Real Property and Business Transactions), CLE International, 1994
  • Landlord/Tenant Liability for Cleaning Up Environmental Contamination (Program: What Your Lease Doesn't Say: Environmental Issues Between Landlords & Tenants), Real Property Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1994
  • Liability for Cleaning Up UST Releases (Program: Underground Storage Tank Regulation in California: Compliance, Cleanup and Liability), California Business Environmental Assistance Center, 1993
  • Accounting for Environmental Liability, Real Estate Accounting Institute - Executive Enterprises, 1993
  • Hazardous Waste Issues in Real Property Transactions (Program: Hazardous Waste and Real Property Transactions), California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1992
  • Exploring the Trends: New Developments in Legislation and Court Cases (Program: How to Conduct and Review Real Estate Site Assessments), HAZMACON, 1992
  • Hazardous Waste Issues in Real Property Transactions (Program: Minimizing Risks in International Business Transactions), California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1991
  • What Every Real Estate Lawyer Needs to Know About: Environmental Due Diligence (Program: Environmental Risks in Real Estate and Business Transactions), Real Property Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1991
  • Asbestos Regulation (Program: Fundamentals of California Environmental Law Compliance), Government Institutes, Inc., 1991
  • Environmental Issues (Program: Resolving Troubled Real Estate Loans), Infocast, 1991
  • Impact of Environmental Laws on the Transaction (Moderator of Panel: Environmental Aspects of Real Estate Transactions), Continuing Legal Education Satellite Network, 1990
  • Asbestos Notification and Disclosure Laws (Program: Fundamentals of California Environmental Law Compliance), Government Institutes, Inc., 1990
  • Developing Standards for Environmental Due Diligence: An Update From a Legal Perspective, Proceedings of the 6th Annual Hazardous Materials Management Conference West, 1990
  • Recent Developments Regarding Hazardous Substance Disclosure Obligations of Lessees, Lessors, and Sellers of Real Property (Co-Author) (Program: Fundamentals of Real Property Practice), California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1989
  • Hazardous Waste Issues in Real Property Transactions (Program: Fundamentals of Real Property Practice), California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1989
  • Hazardous Waste Issues in Real Property Transactions (Program: The Real Estate Syndicate Disposes of a "Dirty" Property), The Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium/Real Property Section - Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1989 

University Extension Course Materials

  • Environmental Due Diligence in Real Estate Transactions: Will the Hope for a Level Playing Field be Realized? (Course: Environmental Risks in Real Estate Transactions: Performing Assessments and Avoiding Liability), University Extension Programs in Environmental Management - U.C. Riverside, 1994
  • Exploring the Trends: New Developments in Legislation and Court Cases (Course: Environmental Risks in Real Estate Transactions: Performing Assessments and Avoiding Liability), University Extension Programs in Environmental Management - U.C. Riverside, 1994
  • What Every Real Estate Lawyer Needs to Know About: Environmental Due Diligence (Course: Environmental Risks in Real Estate and Business Transactions), U.C. San Diego Extension, 1991

News

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 201 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

Nine Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers

January 15, 2020

Super Lawyers has named nine Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers.

138 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to the Best Lawyers in America

August 28, 2019

Best Lawyers selected 138 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 21 of the firm’s national offices for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

126 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to the Best Lawyers in America

August 22, 2018

One hundred twenty-six Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 20 of the firm’s national offices have been selected for inclusion in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Cozen O’Connor Announces Hiring of Gilchrist & Rutter Attorneys

September 27, 2017

Cozen O’Connor is thrilled to announce that effective October 1, 2017, all of the lawyers from the Los Angeles real estate and commercial litigation boutique, Gilchrist & Rutter, will join the firm.

Publications

Other Lender Protections besides Waiver of Security Interest in Contaminated Real Property [Korek Land Company, Inc's Commentaries & Bulletins]

June 01, 2011

Donald Nanney and Duane Montgomery discuss this topic in Korek Land Company, Inc's Commentaries & Bulletins.

Negotiation of Environmental Insurance: Policy Clarifications that Insurers May Give

November 01, 2008

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, discusses environmental insurance and policies in California Real Property Journal.

Anthropogenic Global Warming: Believe it or Not, it's Here [Real Estate Southern California]

January 01, 2008

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Anthropogenic Global Warming: Believe it or Not, it's Here" in Real Estate Southern California.

The Lawsuit Trigger: Closing the Gap in Environmental Insurance [Brownfield News]

January 01, 2006

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "The Lawsuit Trigger: Closing the Gap in Environmental Insurance" in Brownfield News.

Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium Embarks on New Era [Real Property Section Review]

January 01, 2004

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium Embarks on New Era" in Real Property Section Review.

Brownfields: Consider Aggravating & Mitigating Factors [Valuation]

January 01, 2004

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, co-authored an article titled, "Brownfields: Consider Aggravating & Mitigating Factors " in Valuation magazine.

Appraising Brownfield Sites [Brownfield News]

January 01, 2003

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Appraising Brownfield Sites" in Brownfield News.

Environmental Risk in Today's Market [Real Estate Issues]

October 01, 2001

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, discusses environmental risks in today's market in Real Estate Issues.

Mitigating Factors in Appraisal and Valuation of Contaminated Real Property [Counselors of Real Estate]

July 12, 2000

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, co-authored an article titled, "Mitigating Factors in Appraisal and Valuation of Contaminated Real Property" in Counselors of Real Estate.

Ninth Circuit Also Rules that Voluntary Remedial Action May be "Necessary" under CERCLA [Real Property Section Review]

January 01, 2000

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Ninth Circuit Also Rules that Voluntary Remedial Action May be "Necessary" under CERCLA" in Real Property Section Review.

Getting All Your Ducks in a ROW: Right-of-Way Portfolio Management [American Gas]

January 01, 1998

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Getting All Your Ducks in a ROW: Right-of-Way Portfolio Management" in American Gas magazine.

Environmental Insurance is Finally Catching On [Real Property Section Review]

January 01, 1997

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Environmental Insurance is Finally Catching On" in Real Property Section Review.

Manage Mess [California Law Business]

January 01, 1996

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Manage Mess" in California Law Business.

Asbestos Inspection, Disclosure by Building Owners and Employers

January 01, 1996

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Asbestos Inspection, Disclosure by Building Owners and Employers" in California Real Property Journal.

New OSHA Asbestos Regulation Expand Duties of Employers and Building Owners and Tenants [Journal of Environmental Regulation]

January 01, 1995

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "New OSHA Asbestos Regulation Expand Duties of Employers and Building Owners and Tenants" in Journal of Environmental Regulation.

New OSHA Asbestos Standards: A New Chapter in an Old Controversy [Environmental Liability Enforcement and Penalties Reporter]

January 01, 1995

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "New OSHA Asbestos Standards: A New Chapter in an Old Controversy" in Environmental Liability Enforcement and Penalties Reporter.

New Asbestos Regulations Create Expanded Duties [The Corporate Counselor]

December 01, 1994

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "New Asbestos Regulations Create Expanded Duties" in The Corporate Counselor.

Hazardous Materials Disaster Management [Environmental Manager]

January 01, 1994

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Hazardous Materials Disaster Management" in Environmental Manager.

ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments [Environmental Liability, Enforcement and Penalties Reporter]

January 01, 1993

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments" in Environmental Liability, Enforcement and Penalties Reporter .

Trustee and Fiduciary Liability Under CERCLA: What Did the Trustee Know and When Did the Trustee Know It?

January 01, 1993

Donald Nanney, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice Group, authored an article titled, "Trustee and Fiduciary Liability Under CERCLA: What Did the Trustee Know and When Did the Trustee Know It?" in Probate Law Journal of Ohio.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Real Estate and Law Symposium

January 01, 2011 - Stanford, CA

Environmental Indemnities in Loan Documents: Theory and Practice

January 01, 2005 - Los Angeles, CA

Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium on Real Estate Law and Business

January 01, 2003 - Los Angeles, CA

Impact of Environmental Laws on the Transaction

January 01, 1990 - New York, NY

Education

  • University of California, Davis, J.D., 1974
  • U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School at University of Virginia, Honor Graduate, 1975
  • Stanford University, A.B., with distinction, 1971

Awards & Honors

Outstanding Real Estate Lawyer Award, Los Angeles County Bar Association 2016
 
Best Lawyers In America, 2013-2021
 
Southern California Super Lawyers, 2004-2020
 
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell 1999-2019
 
L.A.'s Top 100 Lawyers, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2009
 
Who's Who in L.A. Law, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2008
  • California
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
  • U.S. District Court -- Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of California

California State Bar, Member, Environmental Law Section and Real Property Law Section

     - 2008-2013, Advisor, Executive Committee, Real Property Law Section

     - 2007-2008, Vice Chair, Real Property Law Section

     - 2005-2008, Member, Executive Committee, Real Property Law Section

Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member, Real Property Section and Environmental Law Section 

     -  Chair Emeritus, Real Property Section

     -  2008-2009, Chair, Real Property Section

     - 2003-2004, Chair, Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium on Real Estate Law and Business

     - 1999-2010, Member, Executive Committee, Real Property Section

     - 1998-2001, Co-Chair, Land Use Planning & Environmental Law Subsection, Real Property Section

     - 1995-1997, Member, Executive Committee, Environmental Law Section

     -  1995-1997, Chair, Corporate Issues & Transactions Committee, Environmental Law Section

Building Owners and Managers Association – Greater Los Angeles

     - 2010-present, Member, Government Affairs Committee

Stanford Professionals in Real Estate

     - 2010-present, Founder's Circle Member

     - 2010-present, Steering Committee Member

     - Inaugural Chair, Annual Real Estate and Law Symposium (2011)

Stanford Alumni Association