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Cristina Arana Lumpkin

Partner
305-350-7241
Area of Focus:

Environmental

"[V]ery easy to work with, very knowledgeable and a strong and effective client advocate."  -Chambers USA 2020
  • OVERVIEW
  • EXPERIENCE
  • INSIGHTS
  • CREDENTIALS
GET TO KNOW Cristina

Cristina is an environmental lawyer who thinks like her developer clients. She recognizes that the regulations her clients must follow come with real-world compliance costs. Whether her clients are building single-family residential projects, multifamily units, mixed use, commercial space, or industrial sites, Cristina knows her clients need creative, practical guidance.

Cristina provides counsel on a wide range of environmental compliance issues, including pre-acquisition due diligence, contamination cleanup, and permitting. She works extensively with clients in highly regulated industries such as landfills and scrap-metal recycling. Cristina regularly represents clients responding to enforcement actions, helping them assess their options and develop a strategic approach to achieving compliance and, when possible, avoid litigation.

Q & A
What differentiates you from other environmental lawyers?
My approach to environmental law is very technical and practical. My clients don’t want a long memo on the state of the law. They need to understand the environmental conditions on the property and receive step-by-step guidance through the pathway to resolve those conditions. Clients want real-world answers and a clear path forward, and that’s what I provide.
How does this practical approach work?
It means getting creative. For example, for remediation, we think beyond standard, often expensive, solutions such as simply digging up and removing contaminated soil for disposal at a landfill. We think about whether there are more innovative approaches that might work, such as blending contaminated soil with the clean fill the developer needs for site development. We comply with all regulations and do what is needed to create a safe site for the future occupants, but we do it in a way that saves the client time and money. 
How do you work collaboratively with other practice groups?
I frequently engage with our transactional lawyers who require my input on pre-acquisition due diligence. While I’m looking at the environmental issues, someone else might be working on title issues, land use, or permitting. It helps tremendously that we’re all in the same office. This very close collaboration is one of the key benefits of working at Bilzin Sumberg. 
My PRACTICES
Environmental Homebuilders Retail
EXPERIENCE
INSIGHTS
CREDENTIALS
  • University of Miami, J.D., Summa cum laude, 2006
    University of Hawaii at Manoa, M.A., Geography, 1998
    University of Hawaii at Manoa, B.A., Geography, 1996
  • American Bar Association
    Centro Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc.
    Board of Directors, 2012 - 2015
    Commercial Real Estate Women Miami
    Immediate Past President, 2017
    President, 2016
    President Elect, 2015
    Network Liaison Director, 2014
    Hospitality Committee Co-Chair, 2013
  • Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida

  • Chambers USA, Environmental, 2017- Present

    Chambers USA, Environmental, Associate to Watch, 2012 - 2013; Star Associate, 2014; Up and Coming, 2015 - 2016

    The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, 2021

    Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Rising Stars, 2013 - 2016