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The Sacramento law firm of Trainor Robertson is pleased to announce that Keith E. Pershall has joined the firm as a shareholder and head of the firm’s tax practice. Mr. Pershall’s practice will focus on real estate tax issues, as well as international business and tax matters.

Mr. Pershall earned his law degree from the University of Santa Clara School of Law, received an LL.M. in Transactional Business Practice from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and received his A.B. in Economics from Stanford University. Mr. Pershall began his legal career with Butler Binion in Houston, Texas, followed by a nearly nine-year stint as a partner and head of the tax department at Downey Brand. For the last eight years, he has been a member of the faculty at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and Director of International Programs. Mr. Pershall was also in charge of the law faculty’s international graduate programs and its international programs in Europe, including the Salzburg Institute on International Legal Studies. He taught several courses at McGeorge, including European Union Law, International Sales of Goods, Documentary Sales and Business Associations.

Downey Brand LLP has added associate Aparna Rajagopal- Durbin to its Litigation Department, strengthening its litigation ranks to over 50 attorneys. She received her B.S. in Applied Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College in 1997 and her J.D. from George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. in 2001. Prior to joining the firm, Aparna was an associate with Fenwick & West LLP.

Somach Simmons & Dunn announces the addition of a shareholder and an associate in its Sacramento office.

Kristen T. Castaños has become a shareholder. Her practice emphasizes water law related issues, as well as land use, natural resources and environmental law. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Castaños was an associate attorney at Hatch and Parent in Santa Barbara, where she focused on water law matters. Ms. Castaños earned her J.D. from the University of California at Davis, King Hall School of Law in 1998. Prior to law school, Ms. Castaños worked for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research where she was responsible for monitoring environmental documents submitted pursuant to CEQA. She is a member of the State Bar of California.

Jacqueline L. McDonald has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Ms. McDonald earned a J.D. from the University of California at Davis, King Hall School of Law in May 2003. Ms. McDonald has focused her legal practice on water, land use, and environmental law. She previously served as an editor and author for Environs, the King Hall School of Law’s environmental law journal. She also received the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in an Environmental Law Seminar. Before coming to the firm, Ms. McDonald interned for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Department of Interior Solicitor’s Office, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Ms. McDonald graduated magna cum laude from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Ms. McDonald is a member of the State Board of California.

McDonough Holland & Allen announced that Stephen Lerner has been elected president of the Sacramento Society for the Blind’s board of directors. Lerner’s election as president comes just nine months after joining the board of the 50-year-old nonprofit organization.

Lerner, who has been at McDonough since 2000, is a member of the firm’s litigation section, and his practice focuses on business litigation and environmental law. A successful litigator, Lerner also represents clients in administrative proceedings and litigation regarding business disputes, federal and state Superfund statutes and real property disputes. He has represented private businesses and public agencies in environmental counseling, permitting and compliance matters relating to air quality regulations, hazardous waste issues, underground storage tank regulations, soil and groundwater contamination and discharges of water and pollutants. Lerner previously served as environmental assistant to the mayor of San Diego, developing and implementing programs and policies in the areas of water supply and conservation, parks and open space, air quality, and solid and hazardous waste. He earned his J.D., with distinction, from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1994) in Sacramento and his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego (1988).

McDonough Holland & Allen PC announces that attorney and shareholder Michael L.F. Buck has been elected chair of the Sacramento Environmental Commission (SEC) for 2004. This honor came shortly after the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors reappointed Buck to a second three-year term as a commissioner with the SEC. SEC commissioners are appointed by the county and cities within the county to advise the governing bodies on environmental matters. The SEC also provides public outreach through televised meetings on environmental issues ranging from hazardous waste cleanups to airport expansion plans.

Chair of McDonough’s environmental section, Buck focuses on regulatory compliance issues, including environmental enforcement actions based on alleged violations of hazardous waste, air quality, and water quality laws and regulations. He has extensive experience in all aspects of site remediation for environmental cleanups and partnering with associations and lobbyists to initiate and respond to legislation on behalf of environmental clients. He also served as a civilian legal advisor on the Department of Defense environmental security initiatives in the Ukraine.