Peter S. Modlin

Peter S. Modlin is a partner in the San Francisco office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He is a member of the Environmental Litigation and Mass Tort practice group.

Peter's practice focuses on environmental, health & safety, toxic tort and products liability litigation and counseling. He has represented clients in a wide variety of federal and state litigation, including mass tort actions, product liability claims, cost recovery cases, citizen lawsuits, natural resource damages and enforcement actions.

Peter is ranked by Chambers USA in the California: Environment category, with clients praising his "tremendous breadth of knowledge in environmental issues." He was recognized as San Francisco's “Environmental Litigation Lawyer of the Year” for 2021 by Best Lawyers and has been consistently recognized by the publication as a leading lawyer in his field since 2010. Lawdragon recognizes Peter in its 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers – The Green 500 guide, and he was recognized in the 2023-2024 editions of Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders: USA guide, and the 2022 Who’s Who Legal Environment guide.

Representative Matters

• Defending claims arising from industrial accident, including wrongful death lawsuit, appeal of OSHA citation and criminal investigation.
• Managing defense of 2,000+ plaintiff toxic tort claims by former workers at industrial plant in Asia.
• Representing company in connection with multi-facility Clean Air Act enforcement action.
• Defending Fortune 50 company in precedent-setting natural resource damage lawsuit.
• Representing chemical company and mid-stream company in government investigations and enforcement actions arising from industrial accidents.
• Defending criminal, civil penalty and natural resource damages claims relating to pipeline rupture.
• Defending pharmaceutical company in product liability claims arising from adverse drug reactions.
• Handling numerous product liability claims involving MTBE, asbestos, pigments, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and pesticides.
• Representing logistics company in remediation of crude oil pipeline release.
• On behalf of special committee of Board of Directors, investigated shareholder claims arising from pipeline rupture.
• Prosecuting and defending environmental indemnity claims on behalf of a variety of corporations.
• Representing successful bidder in negotiation of environmental agreements in connection with 50-year concession to operate major port.
• Representing national retailer in disabled access and employment litigation and counseling.

Peter graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1990. He is admitted to practice law in the State of California.

Capabilities

• Environmental Litigation and Mass Tort
• Crisis Management
• Energy Regulation and Litigation
• Energy and Infrastructure

Credentials

Education:

• Harvard University - 1990 Juris Doctor
• Princeton University - 1986 Bachelor of Arts

Admissions:

• California Bar