Sophie Castillo's Speaking Engagements and Publications

Speaking Engagements

• Presenter, 10th Annual Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Forum on Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, The Golden State of Beauty: Update on California Legislative and Enforcement Activity Affecting the Cosmetic and Personal Care Industries, March 28, 2023
• Presenter, Prop. 65 Clearinghouse Annual Conference, Regulatory Update on Acrylamide, Glyphosate, PFOAs, Cannabis, and BP, September 19, 2022
• Presenter, Prop. 65 Clearinghouse Annual Conference, Challenges Small Businesses Face Complying with Prop. 65, September 27, 2021
• Presenter, Specialty Food Association Prop. 65 Webinar Series, Steps to Take Your Risk Temperature and Manage Prop. 65 Liabilities, June 29, 2021
• Presenter, Specialty Food Association, Prop 65 Webinar Series, California’s Prop. 65 and Fruits and Vegetables – All About the Recent Claims of Lead and Other Metals, June 3, 2021
• Presenter, Specialty Food Association, Prop 65 Webinar Series, California’s Prop 65 and Toasted, Roasted and Crunchy Foods – All About Acrylamide, May 6, 2021
• Presenter, Association of Food Industries, Get Help Solving the Prop 65 Riddle, March 30, 2021
• Presenter, Association of Food Industries, Food Import Industry Town Meeting, Proposition 65 Trends in 2020: The Abundance of Proposition 65 Claims Related to Foods During the Pandemic, December 8, 2020
• Presenter, Prop 65 Clearinghouse Annual Conference, Finding Solutions to Help Affected Communities Ensure the Safety of Their Imported Food Sources, September 21, 2020
• Presenter, Prop. 65 Issues and Trends, Specialty Food Association Regulatory Conference Call, July 13, 2020 
• Co-Presenter, Policy Spotlight: Key Issues for Your Specialty Food Business, Specialty Food Association, Winter Fancy Food Show, January 19, 2020
• Presenter, Legal and Operational Viewpoints on Composting Operations: Wastewater and Air Concerns for Industry, 2019 Mapistry Pollution Prevention Summit, October 23-24, 2019
• Panelist, New Chemical Listings: How to Make Sure Your Company Stays Compliant, Prop 65 Clearinghouse Annual Conference, September 23, 2019
• Presenter, What To Know For The Next Wet Season And Beyond, Storm Water Awareness Week Webcasts, September 28-29, 2016
• Presenter, Bay Planning Coalition Expert Briefing, Storm Water Management: The New Industrial & Municipal Regulations, May 27, 2015 
• Presenter, Vapor Intrusion at a Former Dry Cleaning Site, Association of Defense Counsel Annual Meeting, Toxic Tort Session, December 2013
• Co-Presenter, Stormwater: What You Need to Know to Survive Winter, Hanson Bridgett Public Agency Roundtable, November 2013
• Presenter, Current Issues in Storm Water Regulation in California, Lorman Education Services Seminar, February 2013
• Presenter, Update on New California Water Law and Legislation, Northern California County Counsel Meeting, July 2010

Publications

• Author, “Fighting Forever Chemicals: USEPA Proposes the First Enforceable Nationwide Primary Drinking Water Standards for PFAS,” March 21, 2023
• Author, “2022 Prop. 65 Roundup: Over 3,100 Notices for the Usual Suspects Including Lead and Phthalates, Plus New Trends Targeting Textiles and Apparel, and Common Holiday Spices,” February 2023
• Author, “Proposition 65 Quarterly Notice – Third Quarter 2022: Citizen Plaintiff Groups Continue to Pursue Seafood, Ceramics, and Personal Care Products,” November 2022
• Author, “California Bans Regulated PFAS from Apparel, Textiles, and Cosmetics,” November 3, 2022
• Author, “California Plastics Recycling Legislation Significantly Expands Producer Responsibility,” November 3, 2022
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – June 2022: Seafood Products Catch Renewed Interest and Ceramic Glassware Remain Key Target of Citizen Plaintiff Groups,” July 2022
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – May 2022: “Greatest Hits” Such as Metals in Foods and Phthalates in Plastics & Chemicals in Cannabis-Related Accessories Creating Interest for Citizen Plaintiff Groups,” June 2022
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – April 2022: Continued Focus of Alleged Lead in Glass Ceramic Products,” May 2022
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – March 2022: Paper Straws and Food Claims Galore,” April 2022
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – February 2022: Cassava Flour and Chips, Hot Cocoa, Ceramics and Glassware, Boots and Shoes, and Bicycle Helmets,” March 2022
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – January 2022: Lead in Food Products including Dietary Supplements and Spices Remain a Popular Target for Citizen Enforcers, Along with Alleged Phthalates and BPA and Various Consumer Products,” February 2022
• Author, “2021 Prop. 65 Roundup: More Than 3,000 Notices for the Usual Suspects Including Lead and Heavy Metals in Various Foods, Alleged Phthalates in Plastic Consumer Products, and Newer Trends Targeting Peppermint Extract, CBD Oil, and Sunscreen,” January 2022
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – October 2021: Wildlife & Duck Calls, Socks, Spices, Fruits & Vegetables, and Pasta,” November 2021
• Author, “New California Laws Ban PFAS in Juvenile Products and Food Packaging,” November 3, 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – September 2021: Fenugreek, Psyllium Husk Powder, Beet Powder, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Ceramics and Plastic Bags, Pouches, and Tool Grips,” October 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – August 2021: Plastic Consumer Products and Components, Tortilla Chips, Banana Chips, Almond Butter, Canned Fruit, and Sanitizers,” September 2021
• Author, “Specialty Food Association, California’s Prop 65: Acrylamide Update,” August 25, 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – July 2021: Protein Powders, Tea, Molasses, Hand Sanitizer, Sunscreen, CBD Oil, Receipt Paper, and Plastic Face Shields,” August 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – June 2021: Peppermint Extract, Salted Plums/Saladitos, Canned Fruits, Seaweed & Seafood, Pliable Plastics, and Withdrawal of Wood Dust Notices,” July 2021
• Author, California Food Producer, Edition, "Prop 65 Food Claims Continue in 2021," June 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – May 2021: Notice Activity Rebounds; Plaintiff Groups Target Tools that Generate Wood Dust, Makeup, Plastic Products, Sunflower Seeds, and Fruits/Vegetables,” June 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – April 2021: Overall Declines in the Number of Food Notices for Acrylamide and Heavy Metals, and in the Number of Consumer Product Notices for Phthalates,” May 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65: Legal and Technical Implications of Listing PFOA as a Carcinogen,” April 21, 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – March 2021: Plastic Consumer Products, Fruits & Vegetables, New Chemical Pulegone in Peppermint Extract, and Relief for Acrylamide Claims,” April 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – February 2021: Fruits & Vegetables, Pretzels, Chips, Tostadas, Seafood, and More Plastic Products Targeted by Plaintiff Groups,” March 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – January 2021: Duck Callers, Duck (To Eat), More Seafood, Fruits & Vegetables, and Plastic Products Targeted by Plaintiff Groups,” February 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – 2020 Prop. 65 Roundup: Over 3,500 Notices Sent Alleging Warning Labels Required for Hundreds of Different Products Including Plastic Bags & Cases, Baby and Toddler Foods, Seafood, Roasted Snack Foods, Leafy Green Vegetables, and Cosmetics,” January 2021
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – Nov. 2020: Pretzels, Molasses, Sunflower Seeds, Shampoos, Leather Gloves & Fishing Weights – All Targeted by Citizen Plaintiff Groups,” December 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – Oct. 2020: Lead in Food, Diethanolamine in Personal Care Products, Formaldehyde in Bed Sheet Sets, and, As Always, Acrylamide in Snack Foods, and Phthalates in Plastics,” November 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – Sept. 2020: Hundreds of Notices Allege Acrylamide in Snack Foods and Phthalates in Plastic Bags, Other Notices Target Personal Care Products,” October 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – August 2020: Leafy Greens, Crackers, Fishing Weights, Shaving & Bath Gel, Mascara, Plastic Cases & Purses, Dietary Supplements and Bamboo Pillowcases,” September 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – July 2020: Notices Decline for Acrylamide in Snack Foods; Chocolate, Canned Goods, Dietary Supplements, Seaweed, and Seafood Noticed for Lead & BPA; Phthalate Notices for Plastic Bags and PVC Plastics Continue In Large Quantities,” August 2020
• Author, Food Law Latest, "California Citizens Make Hundreds of Claims Alleging Violations of Proposition 65 Law for “Toxics” In Foods During COVID-19 Pandemic," July 27, 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – June 2020: Over 70 Seafood Products, Chips, Pretzels, Bread, Popcorn, Cookies, Dietary Supplements and Wheel Chair Components Attacked by Citizen Plaintiffs as COVID-19 Summer Begins,” July 2020
• Author, California Grocer, Issue 2, “Prop. 65 Food Notices Abundant During COVID-19,” July 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – May 2020: Seafood, Waffles, Nut Products, Canned Goods, and Boxing Gloves Targeted by Plaintiffs in Third Month of COVID-19 Pandemic,” June 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – April 2020: Plaintiffs Target Various Food Products Including Vinegars, Baby Food Pouches, Teething Wafers, Seaweed and Seafood Products Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic and California Court Closures,” May 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – March 2020: Plaintiff Groups “March On” and Send Hundreds of Notices of Violation During the COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place Orders,” April 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – February 2020: Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium in Seaweed, Shrimp & Dietary Supplements, New Plaintiff Group Targets Baked Goods and Roasted Nut Products,” March 2020
• Author, “Compliance with Water Board Requirements During the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Emergency,” March 20, 2020
• Author, “Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – January 2020: Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead in Seaweed & Seafood Products, Acrylamide in Toasted Corn, and Cadmium in Spinach,” February 2020
• Author, “2019 A Creative Year for Proposition 65 Plaintiffs – Acrylamide in Ice Cream Cones, Cadmium and Lead in Seaweed, Furfuryl Alcohol in Hamburger Buns, and Chromium in Leather Work Gloves and Baby Powder,” January 2020
• Author, “The Latest in the Prop. 65 World: Jury Trials; Inorganic Arsenic in Rice; and the FDA Weighs in on Coffee,” September 6, 2018
• Author, “U.S. District Court Holds USEPA Must Regulate Previously Exempted Stormwater Runoff  from Specified Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Sources in Los Angeles,” August 31, 2018
• Author, “New Proposition 65 Clear and Reasonable Warning Regulations Are Effective in 2018,” November 6, 2017
• Author, “Proposition 65 Warning Required for Furfuryl Alcohol as of September 30, 2017,” October 5, 2017
• Author, “DOJ Issues Policy Memo Limiting the Use of Supplemental Environmental Projects in Federal Settlements,” June 12, 2017
• Author, “Water Board Adopts Revisions to Enforcement Policy That Are Expected to Generally Increase Penalties,” April 4, 2017
• Co- Author, California Grocer, Issue 5, “Practical Advice on Avoiding Prop. 65 Enforcement,” October 2016
• Author, “New Proposed Proposition 65 Regulations Equal Less Help and More Hurt (and Litigation) for Industry,” January 21, 2015
• Co-Author, Law360, “New Prop. 65 Is A Relief for California Manufacturers,” November 2013
• Author, The Marin Lawyer, “Lead-Free Plumbing Regulations on the Horizon in 2010,” August 2009
• Author, “State Board Freezes Enrollment in Statewide General Stormwater NPDES Permits for Construction and Industrial Permits Following Writ in City of Arcadia Case California Water Law & Policy,” October 2008
• Author, “Cooper Industries v. Aviall Services: Implications for the United States’ Liability Under CERCLA,” 56 Hastings Law Journal 193 (2004) [cited in Atlantic Research Corp. v. United States, 459 F.3d 827 (8th Cir. 2006) (affirmed by United States v. Atlantic Research Corp., 551 U.S. 128 (2007))], 2007