Kent Alm Bio - Meyers Nave

KENTON L. ALM
Kenton (Kent) Alm is the Chair of Meyers Nave’s
Environmental Law Practice Group and a member of the
firm’s Municipal and Special District Law Practice Group.
During a career that has spanned more than 30 years, Kent
has developed a practice dedicated to a broad range of
public, environmental and public works construction issues.
His practice has consistently included litigation, nonlitigation
advice and general counsel work. Serving as general
counsel, he has advised and represented a number of public
entities, including wastewater agencies, solid waste agencies
and other limited-purpose special districts.
Kenton L. Alm
Principal
555 12th Street, Suite 1500
Oakland, CA 94607
T: 510.808.2000
F: 510.444.1108
kalm@meyersnave.com
Practice Groups
Environmental Law
Municipal and Special District Law
California Bar Number
59017
Education
University of California, Hastings College of
the Law, JD, 1973
University of California Santa Barbara, BA
in Social and Political Sciences, 1970
Kent began his career as a deputy district attorney, a position
he held for 10 years. His practice was largely focused on
litigation, and included the prosecution of blue collar and
white collar crimes.
Representative Experience
Solid Waste
Kent has advised and represented a number of public
agencies on issues pertaining to solid waste, water quality
and other related environmental and public works issues. He
has:
• Advised clients on landfill closure and post-closure issues
and cost sharing, including the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (CERCLA);
• Advised clients on issues related to franchising, rate
setting, and applicability of and compliance with Prop
218 and AB 939;
• Represented public clients in litigation to recover landfill
closure and post closure costs;
• Negotiated the acquisition of solid waste facilities;
• Negotiated collection franchises;
Alm Page 1 of 3

• Advised clients on the assignment of contractual rights;
• Helped form public-private agreements;
• Formed and counseled solid waste joint powers agencies; and
• Initiated and participated in solid waste collection franchise RFPs.
Notably, Kent brought a lawsuit for return of franchisee revenues based on fraud in the rate
setting process. The case resulted in a judgment in excess of $9 million in favor of the rate
payers. The solid waste company owners were federally convicted for defrauding the public.
Kent also acted as lead counsel for several public agencies in CERCLA closure and post-closure
cost recovery litigation.
Wastewater
Advice and litigation pertaining to water quality and wastewater have been a major focus for
Kent for over 20 years. A short list of his clients includes Central Contra Costa Sanitary District,
Novato Sanitary District and Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District. Kent augments his
knowledge of water quality and wastewater law and regulation with substantial experience in
specialty environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, regulatory enforcement, practice
before administrative bodies, and litigation related to permit appeals and enforcement. His
representation of wastewater agencies has included multiple defenses of Clean Water Act citizen
suits and appeals to the state board. His support of wastewater agencies has led him to appear
numerous times before local regulatory bodies, the state board and the courts.
Public Law
In addition to his specialized knowledge of environmental law as it pertains to public agencies,
Kent has a broad background in public law, serving as special counsel on transactional
assignments, pre-litigation and litigation matters. His clients have included cities, counties,
special districts and joint powers agencies. His expertise in public law includes a thorough
knowledge of the Brown Act, Public Records Act, Myers-Milias-Brown Act, conflict of interest
issues, basic employment issues facing public agencies, and the conduct of public meetings.
Additionally, Kent is familiar with the application of public laws to joint powers authorities, and
is experienced with financing public activities. He has aided clients in setting fees and charges,
budgeting and managing public investments. He has advised clients on substantial debt, risk
management and insurance issues.
Public Works Construction Activities and Fees and Charges
Kent has provided in-depth support on all facets of public works construction activities,
including contract documentation bidding, claims settlement, and litigation. He also has
substantial background with the setting of fees and charges, including the applicability of Prop
218 and other constitutional fee limiting provisions.
Alm Page 2 of 3

Drafting Agreements and Other Documents
Kent has negotiated environmental agreements and conducted detailed negotiations with
national, regional and local solid waste enterprises. In this capacity, he has drafted a number of
agreements pertaining to the operation of such enterprises. He has also drafted technical
documents such as industrial source control ordinances.
Legislative Analysis
Kent has participated in legislative analysis and provided legal support for statewide legislative
interest groups.
Professional Affiliations
• Member, The State Bar of California
• Member, Public Law Section and Environmental Law Section, The State Bar of California
• Member, California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) Legislative Committee
• Member, State Bar Environmental Section Legislative Committee
• Past Chair, Statewide attorney’s committee, wastewater and recycled water issues
Presentations and Publications
Kent is a frequent speaker, presenting private and client seminars on issues of public law (e.g.,
AB 1234, the Clean Water Act, public infrastructure construction, and other environmental
issues facing public agencies) as well as speaking at annual conferences and symposiums of the
California Association of Sanitation Agencies, the California Special Districts Association
(CSDA) and other associations for public attorneys and managers. He is also a Lorman
instructor.
Alm Page 3 of 3