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Gregory Sperla

Greg Sperla

Partner
About

Greg Sperla is a litigator and regulatory attorney protecting clients in complex litigation and compliance matters. He is one of the few attorneys to have obtained a post-trial judgment requiring a Proposition 65 "bounty hunter" to pay costs to a defendant. He is focused on the science of consumer products of all types, particularly food, drugs, and cosmetics, and is broadly experienced in domestic and global regulation of consumer goods and disputes.

Mr. Sperla has advised companies of all sizes in dozens of industries on matters involving California's Proposition 65, consumer class actions, product labeling and marketing rules, administrative and regulatory enforcement proceedings, permitting and licensure, hazardous waste, and commercial disputes, among other issues.

Mr. Sperla is an active litigator with significant experience in federal and state court, including the state's busiest complex litigation departments.  His passion for both science and civil procedure is reflected in multiple publications, presentations, and panels on cutting-edge issues affecting California litigants and a wide array of companies. 

Bar admissionsCalifornia

EXPERIENCE

  • Obtained the voluntarily dismissal of a consumer class action concerning false advertising and material omissions relating to the falsely alleged presence of PFAS in a cosmetic based on unreliable testing
  • Obtained summary judgment for an OTC drug manufacturer in a Proposition 65 case alleging failure to warn of exposure to heavy metals
  • Obtained the voluntary dismissal of a consumer class action against a toy manufacturer that falsely alleged the presence of a regulated phthalate based on unreliable testing
  • As co-counsel for a major trade association, obtained a preliminary injunction against enforcement actions under Proposition 65 alleging failure to warn for titanium dioxide (TiO2) exposure in cosmetics and personal care products
  • Represented a Fortune 500 consumer product company at trial and on appeal in a Proposition 65 lawsuit that resulted in a judgment for the company and an award of costs from the plaintiff, a Proposition 65 "bounty hunter"
  • Obtained a non-prosecution commitment for an industrial equipment manufacturer from the Enforcement Division of the California Air Resources Board
  • Persuaded multiple state agencies, including the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and California Department of Agricultural to adopt regulations or modify policies for manufacturer or trade association clients
  • Obtained the withdrawal of or agreement not to prosecute dozens of pre-litigation notices of violations of Proposition 65 and the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act
  • Negotiated the record lowest settlement of a Proposition 65 matter with prolific Proposition 65 bounty hunter Shefa LMV
  • Negotiated numerous unique, industry-leading Proposition 65 settlements for Fortune 500 companies, including a novel settlement for the tea industry approved over the objections of the California Attorney General
  • Advised both upstream and downstream companies in contract negotiations and indemnity disputes, and prepared dozens of client-tailored supplier agreements and other documents
  • Assisted both startups and multinational corporations on the preparation, drafting, and implementation of compliance programs for a wide variety of regulatory schemes and the investigation and assessment of potential regulatory violations
  • Assisted in the successful development of hundreds of new consumer products, including advise as to state and federal marketing and labeling, formulations, supply chain, and packaging issues, among many others
  • Coordinated the simultaneous transfer of over 100 licenses and permits in several states involving over a dozen regulatory agencies on behalf of the purchaser of a West Coast pest control and pesticide business
Education
  • J.D., University of California, Berkeley, School of Law 2011
  • B.A., San Francisco State University 2007

Awards

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Consumer Products (including Tobacco) (2022)
  • Recommended, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Actions: Toxic Tort - Defense (2022, 2024)

Fellowship

  • Senate Fellow, Capital Fellows Program, Class of 2007-2008

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