Sam Bacal-Graves helps public and private clients navigate complex land use and environmental issues. He aids developers and agencies with a wide range of legal issues, utilizing his knowledge of CEQA, California’s housing laws, and other planning and environmental laws. (Read more…)

Amy Higuera has successfully represented numerous clients in achieving favorable results in environmental law and land use entitlement matters.

Specifically, her practice includes representation and litigation involving CEQA and NEPA, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Government Reorganization Act of 2000, the Subdivision Map Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Water Act provisions associated with wetlands permitting. Amy also has experience representing real estate developers with the acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate, including due diligence title and zoning compliance review, as well as drafting and negotiating commercial leases. (Read more…)

Drawing on her educational background in community and regional development, Breana Inoshita assists governmental agencies and private clients with a wide variety of complex land use and environmental issues. (Read more…)

Christopher Marelich is committed to helping clients navigate California’s complex energy and environmental regulatory landscape. Chris’ current practice has a particular focus on proceedings and rulemaking before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC). (Read more…)

Christian Marsh advises clients on regulatory and land use entitlement issues governing real estate developments, ground and surface water supply projects, renewable and non-renewable energy facilities, mining operations and processing plants, and port and waterfront developments.

Regardless of the project’s size or scope, Christian provides effective and practical advice on matters related to endangered species, water rights, water quality, wetlands, the public trust doctrine, and environmental review under NEPA and CEQA. With a particular emphasis on matters pertaining to NEPA and CEQA review, Christian represents clients in state and federal court, and represented the prevailing parties in consecutive appeals before the California Supreme Court. (Read more…)

Sarah assists with compliance and liability research for clients concerning complex federal environmental laws and regulations. She has experience working with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA). She also deals with contract matters related to environmental regulations. (Read more…)

With more than twenty years of experience in environmental law, Kathryn Oehlschlager has built a robust practice spanning environmental and land use compliance counseling, state and federal enforcement defense, and major litigation.

Public and private clients turn to Kathryn for advice on compliance with all facets of environmental and land use law, including NEPA and CEQA, federal and state endangered species laws, contaminated site remediation, water quality and supply issues, and laws regulating solid and hazardous waste.  She routinely represents clients in all aspects of the CEQA project review process, including preparation, review, and analysis of negative declarations, draft environmental impact reports, and final environmental impact reports. (Read more…)

Dustin Peterson is a results-oriented attorney that is focused on helping both private and public sector clients find creative and efficient solutions to navigating complex environmental and land use issues.

His current practice focuses on land use and planning, and he is experienced in dealing with a variety of land use-related subjects and entitlements, including CEQA, the Housing Accountability Act, the Density Bonus Law, the Public Records Act, and the Subdivision Map Act. Using a strategic approach that utilizes his knowledge of both state and federal law, Dustin is passionate about helping clients resolve a wide range of environmental and land use issues. (Read more…)

Andrew Skanchy helps clients get projects done. Although the permitting process can be confusing and daunting, Andrew has extensive experience navigating clients through the morass and helping them achieve their objectives.

He provides strategic guidance on entitlement considerations and getting a project through the CEQA and NEPA processes, with a primary goal of avoiding litigation. But, should litigation ensue, Andrew is adept at defending project approvals in both federal and state court, having successfully defended public agencies and private developers when their projects are challenged. (Read more…)

During the past 40 years, Tina Thomas’s consistent success on behalf of clients has earned her recognition as one of the State’s leading environmental and land use attorneys.

At the core of Tina’s efforts is an unwavering commitment to finding solutions that are both economically and environmentally efficient. Tina’s work extends beyond the traditional role of attorney, shaping not only land use legislation, but also the way it is practiced and understood. Tina was one of the original authors of the Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act, a text that serves as the leading reference on CEQA and an instrumental classroom resource. Additionally, Tina played an extensive role in the passage of California Senate Bill 375, authored by Senator Darrell Steinberg, which encourages smart growth and infill development. (Read more…)