Overview

Palmer Hilton is a seasoned strategic advisor guiding clients through complex governance, decision-making, and public-facing development projects.

His expertise spans land use, environmental compliance, public contracts, and public agency law challenges affecting cities and special districts. He also advises clients on prelitigation positioning for controversial decisions. A key asset of his practice is his California and Western water law/water rights expertise, working on major delivery and management systems that underpin communities across California.

Palmer is currently General Counsel to Bear Valley Community Services District, and advises the cities of Rancho Cordova, Antioch, and Salinas on public works and long-term community/economic development. This includes logistics projects and sports-anchored entertainment complexes requiring strategic planning, land use, and environmental considerations under CEQA. He has also represented a state government in a water rights interstate compact dispute brought before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Clients know Palmer for his relentless work ethic, commitment to solving their most complex challenges, and natural ability to integrate as a trusted member of their leadership teams.

During law school, Palmer served on the Executive Board of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Environmental Law Project and participated in pro bono work for the Southern Environmental Law Center. He was a staff member for the UNC Community Development Law Clinic, where he provided corporate and transactional legal assistance to nonprofit organizations.

Prior, he interned for the Nevada Attorney General’s Office/Colorado River Commission in Las Vegas and conducted research in environmental, water, and land use law—reflecting the long arc of his commitment to the unique challenges at this intersection of law.