University of California—UCLA Luskin Conference Center. Secured trial and appellate victories for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), prevailing on all CEQA and taxpayer claims filed by opposition groups to stop the construction of the $162M Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference and Guest Center—one of UCLA’s highest profile campus projects. Also obtained dismissal of the project’s primary donors from the case, arguing that this was retaliation for exercising their free speech rights, which was upheld in a published appellate case.

Crossroads of the World Redevelopment Project/ELDP Litigation. 
Successfully represented the City of Los Angeles in expedited California Environmental Quality Act litigation over the redevelopment of the iconic Crossroads of the World site on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Prevailed in the trial court for this major transit-oriented development project, including 950 apartments and condos, 308‐room hotel, and 190,000 square feet of commercial space in three buildings of up to 32 stories. Also obtained a quick dismissal of the appeal of the trial court’s judgment and obtained denial of review by the California Supreme Court. The Governor certified the project as an Environmental Leadership Development Project under AB 900, which entitles the project to a compressed litigation schedule that requires resolving trial and appellate litigation in an expedited 270-day timeframe. The project preserves 1930s-era buildings and transforms a prominent Hollywood site with new affordable housing and open space.

University of California – Multi-Campus Long Range Development Planning. Served as lead land use and environmental counsel to the University of California on high-profile and complex capital development and public-private partnership projects across the statewide system. Advised the University on the CEQA review of a new generation of Long Range Development Plans to guide future development to accommodate enrollment growth of over 20,000 new students on campuses throughout the University system, including UCLA, UC San Diego and UC Merced. Working included guiding the campuses through the CEQA and regulatory approval process for individual projects that add and expand administration offices, student and workforce housing, student services, academic buildings, research centers and healthcare facilities, often using public-private partnerships and innovative funding mechanisms.

Dumbarton Rail Corridor – P3 for $2 Billion Passenger Rail Infrastructure Project. In a precedent-setting undertaking, Facebook and infrastructure developer Plenary Group established a public-private partnership with the San Mateo County Transit District to develop a new $2 Billion transportation infrastructure project that will create a new commuter rail corridor between Silicon Valley and the East Bay. Serving as lead land use, environmental and CEQA/NEPA counsel to the private development partner for the project, including advising on all local, state and federal permitting issues. The P3 project is a game-changing approach to creating commuting alternatives that help solve metropolitan area traffic congestion between residential neighborhoods and job centers.

Boring Company Tunnel Litigation. Successfully defended the City of Los Angeles’s decision to permit construction of an initial test track for underground transportation tunnels proposed by Elon Musk. Opposition groups sued, arguing that a full environmental review was required because the test tunnel could be part of a larger transportation network under the entire city. Litigation was resolved through an expedited settlement that allowed The Boring Company to proceed with developing new projects using their novel transportation technology.

Lexington Avenue Small Lot Subdivision Project Litigation. Defending the City of Los Angeles in litigation challenging the City’s approval of a planned project to demolish three small single family homes and construct 18 small lots for the purpose of a small lot subdivision. The suit alleges that the City incorrectly determined that the proposed in-fill project qualified for a class 32 exemption from CEQA. The suit also challenges the City’s grant of a zoning adjustment for both the height and lot size of the proposed project located at 6517-6533 West Lexington Ave.

County of Los Angeles—Correctional Facility Projects. Served as lead counsel in the environmental review process for two major detention projects: (1) the $2.2 billion Consolidated Correctional Treatment Facility to replace the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the project’s budget and certified its environmental impact report in June 2018) and (2) the $137 million Mira Loma Women’s Detention Facility in Lancaster to replace the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood (Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the project’s budget and certified its environmental impact report in October 2016). Advised client on compliance with CEQA, the Brown Act, and other legal requirements applicable to the new jail projects.

Irvine Ranch Water District v. Orange County Water District. Litigation counsel for three groundwater pumpers in litigation initiated by a competing groundwater producer challenging the Orange County Water District’s administration of an unadjudicated basin. The plaintiff seeks writ and/or validation relief that would alter the way recycled water use is considered in determining replenishment assessments on all groundwater producers in the basin, to the detriment of most other producers, and also challenges the Orange County Water District’s right to regulate exports of groundwater from the basin. 

Regents of the University of California—East Bay Hills Fire Risk Reduction Project. Litigation counsel in two NEPA lawsuits and a CEQA action filed by environmental groups challenging hazardous fire risk reduction activities proposed by the University of California, Berkeley, including project grant funding by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Onni Development Group. Counsel for Canadian-based developer of multiple urban, mixed-use high-rise projects in downtown Los Angeles. Represented client in the environmental review and entitlement process for three high-rise residential towers.

Los Angeles Streetcar Inc. General Counsel for non-profit public-private partnership  promoting a modern streetcar system in downtown Los Angeles. LASI oversees the development, fundraising, planning, environmental review, engineering and outreach for the project. Successfully obtained project support from property owners and voters to secure local capital and operational funding for project. Assisted client in formation of community facilities district and environmental review process, including compliance with the Brown Act. In November 2016, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the project’s environmental impact report and preferred route, the City approved the project’s financial plan in August 2018.

City of Colusa—Colusa Riverbend Estates Project. Defended lawsuit alleging violations of CEQA, civil rights for procedural due process and inverse condemnation. Worked with developer to achieve successful settlement that allowed the City to re-consider and approve the project.

Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority—SR-47 Project. Litigation counsel for a joint powers authority. Successfully defended CEQA and NEPA lawsuits challenging a $700M bridge replacement and expressway project in trials in state and federal court, and achieved appellate victories in the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit. The authority is responsible for developing transportation infrastructure for the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex.

The Related Companies—Grand Avenue Project. Counsel for developer of a $4B urban mixed-use redevelopment project in downtown Los Angeles. Successfully negotiated the settlement agreement to quickly resolve litigation over project approvals and allow project to meet milestone deadlines.

Plains Pipeline Co.—Pier 400 Project. Counsel for an energy development client. Successfully defended the approval of a $400M marine oil super-tanker terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, handling all litigation activities and successfully winning the case at trial in January 2010.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Counsel for a new museum and cultural center in downtown Los Angeles. Successfully represented the museum in working with Los Angeles County regarding compliance with numerous statutory obligations, including CEQA, NEPA, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Negotiated with community groups to complete project development on-schedule and avoid threatened litigation.

Iberdrola Renewables, Inc. Counsel for an international renewable energy developer. Represented the client in a proposed $43M acquisition of 12,500 acres in Southern California for the development of potential wind and solar power projects. Negotiated multiple aspects of the real estate transaction and coordinated land use and environmental due diligence review.

Vornado Realty Trust—Beverly Connection Project. Counsel for an urban shopping center in Los Angeles. Negotiated the settlement agreement to resolve litigation and community opposition, and obtained approvals of revised project after creating a community benefits program.

Alpine Development. Counsel for the developer of over 30 master-planned communities and commercial sites in Riverside County and Antelope Valley. Led the project teams and coordinated environmental and land use due diligence, acquisition and remediation activities.