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Santino Tropea attorney photo

Practice Areas

  • Environmental Law
  • Bad Faith Insurance
  • Business Litigation
  • Class Actions
  • Construction Litigation
  • General Civil Litigation
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Insurance Law
  • Land Use & Zoning
  • Landlord-Tenant
  • Real Estate
  • Toxic Torts
  • Water Law

Biography

Santino Tropea is a founding partner of Tropea McMillan. With over 15 years of civil litigation experience, his practice's focus is in complex environmental litigation, environmental enforcement defense, business litigation, and insurance coverage disputes in state and federal court. Pre-trial litigation, trial discovery, and courtroom advocacy are central in his experience and approach.

A significant portion of his practice includes representation of clients in toxic tort claims, actions brought under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and all phases of CERCLA and the Superfund process. He has successfully represented clients in regulatory disputes and negotiations with both state and federal agencies, and has implemented supplemental environmental projects/pollution prevention plans to reduce or eliminate fines and penalties. He counsels clients regarding regulatory compliance and issues related to potential insurance coverage. Santino's experience includes representation of California municipalities, large chemical, plating and automotive parts manufacturers, small businesses such as dry cleaners and gas stations, and individual property owners. His creative and innovative ways of bringing complex matters to a successful conclusion has earned him praise from both small businesses and large corporations alike.

Before founding Tropea McMillan, Santino worked for a multi-office litigation firm based in San Diego. Santino served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Ronald L. Styn in the San Diego Superior Court and served as a legal intern in the Major Frauds division of the United States Attorney's Office in the Southern District of California working with cases concerning securities fraud and environmental crimes.

Education

  • University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California
    • J.D. - 2006
  • University of San Diego
    • B.A. - 2003

Bar Admissions

  • California, 2007
  • U.S. District Court Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of California

Honors

  • Selected To Super Lawyer Rising Stars: 2015, 2018 - 2021
  • Top Rated Environmental Litigation Attorney in San Diego, CA