Matthew L. Abbot
Associate
Services & Specializations
Admissions
California
Address
525 B Street, Suite 2200, San Diego, CA 92101
Office Tel.
619.525.3882
Fax
619.788.5516
Overview
Matt focuses on compliance counseling and transactional work across a range of industries, including energy, transportation, consumer products, and real estate development. His legal practice includes work with projects requiring compliance with the Clean Water Act, California Water Code, CEQA/NEPA, Hazardous Waste Control Law, Proposition 65, and other state and federal permitting and regulatory requirements. Matt has experience in real estate, including transactional and litigation work related to CEQA, land use and zoning, easements, inverse condemnation, and contract disputes. Matt also focuses on energy law, including power purchase agreement and energy service agreement negotiation.
Matt is a former naval aviator and has logged over 3,400 hours of flight time in multiple aircraft including the F/A-18E, T-45A/C, C-40A, and C-20G. He served as the commanding officer of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 51 based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and he continues to serve in the Navy Reserve as an Aviation Culture Workshop facilitator for Commander, Naval Air Forces.
- Provided guidance in the development and execution of universal and hazardous waste disposal policies, training requirements, and standard operating procedures for a large communications company.
- Assisted client in negotiating favorable terms with the California Attorney General and District Attorneys in a Judgment on Consent related to waste disposal.
- Assisted multiple clients in obtaining the successful withdrawal or settlement of Proposition 65 Notices of Violation issued by private plaintiffs.
- Assisted multiple clients with the development of Energy Services Agreements related to solar energy and battery energy storage systems.
- Provided guidance to multiple clients in reviewing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for compliance with CERCLA All Appropriate Inquiries requirements.
- Provided multiple clients with guidance related to entitlement and CEQA compliance.
- Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch, Environmental Law and Natural Resources Law, 2026
- JD, University of San Diego School of Law, 2015
- Joint Professional Military Education Phase I, United Sates Naval War College, 2011
- BS, United States Naval Academy, 2000
- Co-author: “California’s Unique Greenhouse Gas Emissions Laws Remain in Effect—For Now,” August 20, 2025.
- Co-Presenter. “Navigating California’s Green Roadmap: Unpacking the 2024 Zero Emission Fleet Mandate,” podcast, September 22, 2023.
- Co-author. “Recently Proposed SEC Amendments to the Shareholder Proposal Rule May Further Affect Shareholder Proposals Related to Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” August 5, 2022.
- Co-Author. “California Businesses Face New Organic Waste Mandates in 2022,” November 4, 2021.
- Co-Author. “Understanding The Reach Of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program,” June 2, 2021.
- San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Association, pro bono assistance to low-income San Diego residents on landlord-tenant issues
- University of San Diego School of Law, Alumni Board Member
- University of San Diego School of Law’s Veterans Legal Clinic, assisted military veterans in matters relating to for-profit education litigation and Veterans Affairs disability rating claims
