Justin Panitchpakdi helps clients navigate difficult environmental and insurance coverage matters and has represented them in federal and state courts, in mediation, and administrative enforcement actions to help resolve their issues.

Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman LLP, Justin represented clients in environmental contamination matters at Hunsucker Goodstein PC.  During law school, he spent a year working in the consumer protection division of the Federal Trade Commission investigating the environmental impact of consumer products on waste water systems across the nation. 

Before practicing law, Justin served the public as an ocean lifeguard for the California State Parks in Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara counties. 

  • Experience
    • Representing a fireworks display company in multi-party groundwater contamination case filed by a municipality.
    • Representing an owner of contaminated property facing administrative enforcement action by the California Department of Toxic Substance Control.
    • Defending an owner of a contaminated dry cleaning facility in a suit brought by an adjacent property owner.
    • Representing a Native American Tribe in a suit over property damage caused by emissions from a local biomass powerplant.
    • Representing a small business owner in breach of contract and bad faith litigation as a second chair at trial and obtained a favorable settlement for client.
    • Representing insurance policyholder in breach of contract and bad faith litigation and obtained a favorable settlement for client through mediation.
  • Professional Affiliations

    American Bar Association

    California Bar Association

    Bar Association of San Francisco

    Contra Costa County Bar Association

  • Awards & Honors
    "Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch" by Best Lawyers
    Insurance Law, 2024
  • Bar & Court Admissions
    California State Bar
    U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
    U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
    U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • Government Service
  • News & Presentations
  • Thought Leadership

Education

University of California, Hastings College of the Law J.D., 2014

University of California, Santa Barbara B.A., 2009