Resume

Gideon Kracov is a distinguished mediator with thirty years of experience in environmental, real estate and civil matters. He has an extensive background navigating complex legal matters, coupled with significant experience at the highest levels of California state government. Using his mediation and facilitation skills, Mr. Kracov can break through impasse and settle disputes before litigation, and after lawsuits are filed. The Daily Journal describes him as a “highly collaborative” and “pragmatic” mediator with a “committed approach to preparation.” He has “credibility with all parties, perhaps the highest currency.”

Mr. Kracov offers both in-person and virtual mediation services as an alternative to protracted litigation, working diligently with the parties every step of the way – from pre-mediation calls to postmediation follow-up – towards resolving the dispute.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

CIVIL LAW:

Breach of Contract
Class Actions
Employment
Landlord/Tenant
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Products Liability

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW:

California Environmental Quality Act
CERCLA and Toxic Torts
Clean Air Act and Climate
Clean Water Act and Stormwater
Coastal Act and Natural Resources
Contaminated Property
Environmental Justice
Nuisance and Private Enforcement
Energy Sitting and Permitting
Proposition 65

REAL ESTATE AND PUBLIC ENTITY LAW:

Administrative and Municipal Law
Condemnation
Easements, Encroachment and Trees
Government Oversight
Homeowners’ Disputes
Public Policy Disputes
Real Estate Development and Sales
Zoning Entitlements and Land Use

BIOGRAPHY AND EXPERIENCE

Berkeley Law, University of California, Berkeley
J.D. and Environmental Law Certificate, 1995

University of California, Berkeley
B.A. with high honors, 1992

With a diverse background representing plaintiffs, defendants, and governmental entities, Mr. Kracov is uniquely positioned to mediate complex civil disputes. His experience includes serving as a Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney in the Real Property Division, where he counseled the Departments of Planning and Sanitation on public works and real estate projects and successfully defended the City in high-stakes trials. Notably, he helped negotiate a $168 million settlement for the removal of trash from the Los Angeles River and advised on the City’s property redevelopment initiatives. In addition, Mr. Kracov led civil prosecutions in the City Attorney’s Environmental Protection Unit.

Prior to his public sector tenure, Mr. Kracov practiced at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP, a prominent plaintiff’s trial law firm, handling toxic tort and personal injury cases that helped shape these areas of the law. He began his legal career at the prestigious Los Angeles firm Weston Benshoof LLP (now Alston & Bird LLP), where defended Fortune 500 clients in product liability lawsuits. He has handled cutting-edge consumer and environmental tort class actions.

Mr. Kracov is a Thomson Reuters California Super Lawyer, limited to the top 5 percent of lawyers. He serves on mediation panels for the U.S.E.P.A., U.S. District Court Central District of California, California Department of Civil Rights, Los Angeles Superior Court and Center on Conflict Resolution. He trained in environmental dispute facilitation and mediation at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Udall National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution, International Association for Public Participation, and MIT Renewable Energy Clinic.

Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Kracov has made significant contributions to the legal community. He is the former Chair of the California Lawyers Association Environmental Law Section, Executive Committee. In that role, he led educational and program activities for over 2,500 section members. As a member of the adjunct faculty at Loyola Law School, he imparts his knowledge of land use law and regulation to future legal professionals. Notably, Mr. Kracov proudly coached the Loyola Law School team to first place in the 20th Annual California Lawyers Association Environmental Law Student Negotiation Competition. He currently serves as Secretary of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.

Mr. Kracov serves as the Governor’s appointee to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the state’s lead air pollution and climate change regulatory agency. He also serves as the Governor’s appointee to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board. In these roles, he navigates complex public policy issues, engaging with diverse stakeholders to achieve satisfactory outcomes while upholding trust and accessibility. Previously, he chaired the three-member Department of Toxic Substances Independent Review Panel, overseeing governance of the agency responsible for the cleanup of contaminated properties throughout California.