Category: Announcements

Meyers Nave Secures Complete Legal Victory for City of Milpitas in High-Profile Employment Lawsuit

Meyers Nave is proud to announce a total legal victory on behalf of our client, the City of Milpitas, in a high-profile employment lawsuit brought by a former City Manager.

On June 11, 2025, the Santa Clara County Superior Court granted the City’s motion for summary judgment, disposing of all claims and bringing a two-year legal battle to a close.

Attorneys Nadia Bermudez, Adam Lindgren, Camille Hamilton Pating, and Meg Rosequist, along with many dedicated team members, demonstrated the full strength of Meyers Nave’s collaborative, cross-office, cross-practice litigation capabilities.

This outcome underscores why Meyers Nave is trusted by government agencies across California to handle their most difficult and high-profile legal challenges.

Meyers Nave Ranked in Chambers Spotlight California 2025 Guide

We’re honored to announce that Meyers Nave has earned a ranking in the inaugural Chambers Spotlight California 2025 Guide, which highlights standout small and mid-sized firms across the state. Our firm was recognized for its work in Real Estate and Environment (Oakland) —two of our Land Use and Environmental practice areas where our team of attorneys have consistently delivered outstanding results for clients.

This recognition is the result of Chambers’ in-depth, independent research and reflects the experience, talent, and commitment of our attorneys to providing excellent legal counsel and practical solutions. It also reinforces our longstanding focus on California’s unique legal and regulatory landscape—one we know well and serve every day.

Chambers Spotlight is a new initiative aimed at connecting General Counsel and business decision-makers with high-performing, regionally focused firms. With over 18 million visits to Chambers.com in 2024 and 65% of Spotlight users working outside of legal services, this recognition enhances our visibility among a broader audience of corporate and government sector leaders.

We appreciate Chambers for this distinction and congratulate all of our Land Use & Environmental attorneys and staff for their continued hard work and success.

For more information, visit Chambers.com.

Meyers Nave and Sohagi Law Group Combine

Combination Creates Formidable Environmental and Land Use Practice in California

LOS ANGELES:

January 22, 2025 – Meyers Nave announced today that it has joined forces with The Sohagi Law Group (SLG), a California boutique environmental and land use law firm, effective February 1. SLG Founder and Managing Partner Margaret Sohagi, Partner Nicole Hoeksma Gordon, Partner R. Tyson Sohagi, Senior Of Counsel, Albert I. Herson, and Senior Associate Mark Desrosiers, based in Los Angeles, will join Meyers Nave.

“This combination brings together two premier environmental and land use groups that collectively work on some of the most prominent infrastructure, development and related litigation in California,” said Meyers Nave Managing Principal David Skinner. “The attorneys in both groups have known each other for years, often times working on the same projects.”

Margaret Sohagi, a trailblazer in environmental and land use law, founded her women-owned firm nearly two decades ago. Under her leadership, it has become one of California’s premier law firms, offering expert counsel in areas such as air quality, climate change, planning and zoning, water supply, energy and coastal resources. The firm is also renowned for its work in high profile California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and land use litigation.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Meyers Nave, sharing many common clients and having worked on some of the most advanced and complex projects across California. We have a shared commitment to excellence, especially in land use law and in delivering client service that is second to none,” said Margaret Sohagi. “Joining Meyers Nave expands our ability to service our clients and unlocks growth opportunities.”

The combination with SLG enhances Meyers Nave’s environmental and land use practices, led by Amrit Kulkarni. The firm represents government, private businesses and public-private partnerships involved in all types of development projects throughout California and services clients in several core industries, including transportation and infrastructure, energy, real estate and housing, water resources, government and public policy, sports and entertainment, and supply chain and logistics. The firm’s recognition as go-to land use law experts is underscored by its attorneys serving, since 2006, as co-managing editors and chapter authors of California Land Use Practice, an annually updated treatise published by Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB).

Margaret Sohagi, widely recognized as one of California’s leading land use attorneys and a former city planner, collaborates closely with clients to navigate the intricate legal landscape of land use, climate change, and CEQA at both administrative and judicial levels. As a longstanding CEQA instructor for California’s Continuing Judicial Studies Program, Margaret has had the unique opportunity to instruct Superior Court judges, appellate justices and court attorneys on the law. She earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School (1986), and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nicole Gordon advises clients on complex environmental and land use matters at the administrative, trial and appellate level. Her experience includes projects under CEQA, NEPA, the federal and California Endangered Species Act (ESA), and planning and zoning laws. She has successfully represented clients in high profile litigation, including at the California Supreme Court. Since 2021, Nicole has been co-chair for CLE International’s Annual CEQA Super Conference, and she is a former chair of the Environmental Law Section of the California Lawyers Association. The Los Angeles Business Journal named Nicole as one of California’s “Most Influential Women Attorneys” and a “Leader of Influence in Their 40s.” She earned her J.D. from University of Southern California, Gould School of Law (2005).

R. Tyson Sohagi, who earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from U.C. Berkeley, focuses his practice on environmental law, land use, planning, housing law, the Coastal Act, CEQA, NEPA, the Public Trust Doctrine and Election Law. He advises clients on infrastructure projects (transmission lines, port facilities, airport facilities, intermodal and on dock railroad facilities, utility plants), general plans, specific plans, specific development proposals, and other land use issues. Tyson authored Lexis Nexis’ CEQA Compliance Practice Guide. The Los Angeles Times named him “Legal Visionary” in 2024. He earned his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (2007).

Albert I. Herson, an environmental attorney and planner with over 35 years of experience, advises public agencies on complex land use and environmental law matters, including CEQA, NEPA, and natural resources law. A co-author of widely used CEQA and NEPA guides, Mr. Herson has prepared and reviewed hundreds of CEQA documents for large-scale projects, including General Plans, EIRs, and regional transportation plans. Mr. Herson is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP) and Past President of the APA California Chapter. Mr. Herson earned his J.D. from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Mark Desrosiers focuses his practice on projects under CEQA and planning and zoning laws. Best Lawyers in America named Mark to its “Ones to Watch” list. Mark earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of San Francisco School of Law (2014).

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About Meyers Nave

Founded in 1986, Meyers Nave celebrates more than three decades of prominent clients, dedicated employees and precedent-setting work. Meyers Nave is a full-service California law firm providing transaction, litigation and regulatory compliance legal services to corporations, government entities, non-profits and public-private partnerships. Learn more about Meyers Nave.

 

Meyers Nave Achieves Major Appellate Victory for Water Districts in Groundwater Management Case

We are pleased to announce a significant appellate victory for our clients, Mesa Water District, East Orange County Water District, and Yorba Linda Water District, in the case of Irvine Ranch Water District v. Orange County Water District. The California Court of Appeal’s decision upholds critical groundwater management practices that protect local ratepayers and ensure fair access to water resources.

Background of the Dispute

The litigation began in 2016 when Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) challenged the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) management of the Orange County Groundwater Basin. IRWD sought to reclassify its recycled water, which would have allowed it to pump more groundwater at reduced costs, while shifting millions in expenses to other water suppliers. IRWD also aimed to secure approval for exporting water outside of OCWD’s jurisdiction, a move that threatened the reliability of the water supply serving 2.5 million residents in northern and central Orange County.

Meyers Nave was retained by Mesa Water District, East Orange County Water District, and Yorba Linda Water District to defend against IRWD’s claims and safeguard their interests. Working alongside the City of Anaheim and Golden State Water Company, we coordinated a common interest group that opposed IRWD’s efforts.

Appellate Court Decision

The Court of Appeal’s ruling is a pivotal win for our clients, affirming OCWD’s established groundwater management practices and prevailing on 15 out of 16 claims. The lone unfavorable ruling was effectively nullified by other decisions in our clients’ favor. The appellate court’s decision ensures fair groundwater access and rate stability for local communities, preventing the cost shifts IRWD sought to impose.

Acknowledgments

We are proud of the exceptional teamwork demonstrated by Meyers Nave throughout this litigation. With critical contributions from Kiana Amiri-Davani our team played a key role in this significant win for our clients. This result reflects our dedication to achieving favorable outcomes for our clients and protecting vital public resources.

We remain committed to delivering outstanding legal representation and are honored to have played a role in preserving fair water management practices that benefit millions of Orange County residents.

For more details on the case and its outcomes, visit the Orange County Water District’s official announcement here.

Deborah Fox Named Among the Daily Journal’s Top 100 Lawyers in California for 2024

Meyers Nave is proud to announce that Deborah Fox, Chair of our First Amendment and Trial & Litigation Practice Groups, has been recognized as one of the Daily Journal’s Top 100 Lawyers in California for 2024. This marks the fourth time Deborah has received this prestigious honor since 2020.

Deborah’s consistent inclusion in this elite list highlights her unwavering commitment to excellence in legal practice and her leadership in guiding clients through complex and high-profile cases. Her work in First Amendment law, Crisis Management, Litigation, and her success in the courtroom underscore her remarkable impact on the legal landscape in California.

At Meyers Nave, we are honored to have Deborah as a key member of our team. Her achievements align with our firm’s mission to provide outstanding legal service and deliver results that matter. We congratulate Deborah on this significant accomplishment and look forward to her continued contributions to the legal community.

For more information about Deborah Fox’s work and her role at Meyers Nave, visit her bio.

Meyers Nave Secures Appellate Victory for City of San Diego in Utility Relocation Dispute

We are pleased to share a significant appellate victory achieved in partnership with our client, the City of San Diego. The Court of Appeal reversed the lower court in full, granting summary judgment in favor of the City in the dispute with San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) over utility relocation costs related to the City’s ambitious Pure Water Project.

Background of the Dispute

The case centered on the costs associated with relocating SDG&E’s gas pipelines and other utility infrastructure to facilitate the City’s ambitious Pure Water Project. This project is the largest and most costly infrastructure initiative ever undertaken by San Diego, with a total estimated cost of over $3 billion. Its goal is to convert sewage into potable water through advanced purification processes, aiming to significantly enhance the city’s water supply and sustainability.

In 2018, the City Council authorized an initial expenditure of $35 million to begin the relocation process, with the expectation that these costs would be covered by SDG&E under the terms of their franchise agreement. However, SDG&E contested this responsibility, leading to a legal dispute. The City argued that state law and the franchise agreement required SDG&E to bear the costs of relocating its infrastructure for public projects like Pure Water.

The lower court initially ruled against the City, placing the financial burden of relocation costs on San Diego taxpayers.

Appellate Court Decision

The appellate court’s decision marks a pivotal victory for the City. The court thoroughly reviewed the franchise agreements and determined that SDG&E is indeed responsible for covering the relocation costs. This ruling reverses the previous judgment and directs the superior court to enter summary judgment in favor of the City. Additionally, the court denied SDG&E’s petition for a rehearing.

This decision not only relieves the City of a significant financial burden but also supports the continued progress of the Pure Water Project without additional taxpayer expense.

Acknowledgments

This outcome highlights the successful collaboration between Meyers Nave and the City of San Diego. Our team, led by David Skinner with the invaluable support of Nicole Ries Fox and Kristof Szoke, is proud to have played a role in securing this favorable result.

We are dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation and are honored to have supported the City in this important matter. The ruling ensures that resources can be allocated more effectively toward vital public infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.

Meyers Nave Attorneys Selected among Northern California Super Lawyers and Northern California Rising Stars

Meyers Nave is pleased to announce that five of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 list of Northern California Super Lawyers and Northern California Rising Stars. This acknowledgment reflects their exceptional legal skills and professional achievements, highlighting the excellence across various Meyers Nave practice areas. Only up to five percent of the lawyers in California are named to the Super Lawyers list and up to 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list.

We congratulate the following attorneys:

Super Lawyers
Shaye Diveley – Environmental (2012-2024)
Eric Firstman – Construction Litigation (2007-2024)
Amrit Kulkarni – Environmental Litigation (2012-2024)
David Mehretu – Civil Litigation (2022-2024)

Rising Stars
Anthony Amara – State, Local & Municipal (2021-2024)

Meyers Nave Celebrates the Successful Approval of the DisneylandForward Initiative

We are thrilled to announce another major accomplishment for the Meyers Nave team! Earlier this week, the Anaheim City Council gave unanimous approval to the DisneylandForward project, marking a significant milestone in our longstanding partnership with the City.

For the past two years, our Land Use & Environmental Law team, Kiana Amiri-Davani, and Mina Arasteh, has played a critical role in ensuring compliance with environmental standards under CEQA and navigating the project’s complex approval process. Our contributions included extensive legal analysis during the environmental review process, preparation of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), and active participation in key City meetings. We also helped provide clear and accessible information to the public about the project’s environmental impacts.

DisneylandForward is a legacy project that calls for Disney’s commitment to invest a minimum of $1.9 billion over the next 10 years. The project allows for expanding the areas on which theme park attractions are allowed as well as new areas for shopping, dining and entertainment uses. In addition, the project includes community benefits paid by Disney, including $30 million for affordable housing, $8 million for City parks and $45 million for street and sewer improvements, among other benefits.

A big thank you to the City of Anaheim for entrusting us with this important project and to everyone involved in reaching this milestone!

Learn more about DisneylandForward here.

Meyers Nave Secures Second Dispositive Motion for Santa Barbara County in Pivotal Wildfire Case

Meyers Nave is proud to announce another landmark victory, this time in the complex wildfire litigation surrounding the 2017 Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flow. The Thomas fire, sparked by power lines owned by Southern California Edison, burned more than 281,000 acres and was at the time the largest wildfire in recorded California history. The resulting debris flow overwhelmed the town of Montecito, causing more than 20 deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses. In a subsequent legal maneuver, Edison attempted to recover $1 billion in damages by shifting blame onto the County of Santa Barbara and other public entities.

In response, the County, represented by our skilled Trial & Litigation Team, mounted a robust defense against these substantial indemnity claims. Our legal team’s aptitude was pivotal in eliminating significant damages through a series of strategic dispositive motions, demonstrating our deep understanding of environmental litigation and public entity defense.

Throughout the proceedings, Meyers Nave investigated complex issues involving the interplay of legal standards and the facts at issue. The firm also established comprehensive case and document management systems to effectively navigate the coordinated judicial process.

Our firm’s commitment to delivering excellent legal advice and achieving definitive results for our clients shines through. This victory not only emphasizes our capability to handle high-stakes, complex legal challenges but also our dedication to safeguarding the interests of public entities across California.

Deborah Fox, who leads our Trial and Litigation practice group and the County of Santa Barbara team, commented, “This case highlights the crucial role of skilled legal advocacy in defending public entities against substantial and often unprecedented legal challenges. Our team’s ability to effectively manage and litigate complex environmental and indemnity issues has led to significant outcomes that not only benefit our client but also set a precedent for future wildfire litigation.”

Meyers Nave continues to demonstrate unparalleled capability and dedication, reinforcing why we are the go-to law firm for high-profile legal matters in California.

Learn more about our Trial and Litigation capabilities and how we partner with clients to navigate complex legal landscapes.

Meyers Nave Represents the Tongva and Acjachemen Communities in Orange County’s First Ever Native American Land Back Transaction

Meyers Nave attorney, Russell Morse represented the Acjachemen Tongva Land Conservancy (“ATLC”), a nonprofit organization formed by members of the Acjachemen and Tongva communities dedicated to preserving their ancestral homelands, in the first Indigenous land return in Orange County history. Community members of the Tongva and Acjachemen, two tribes that have historically inhabited lands in Southern California, joined forces to successfully acquire a six acre-parcel on the Bolsa Chica Mesa adjacent to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

The ATLC now holds title to a portion of the sacred Bolsa Chica Mesa, home to an ancient village site inhabited by the Tongva and Acjachemen Tribes some 9,000 years ago. This acquisition marks the beginning of an extensive restoration program, which will include the reintroduction of native species and removal of bike jumps unlawfully built on the site. Once complete, the site will potentially be a forum for cultural ceremonies and conduct public education activities to heighten awareness of the land’s historical and cultural significance.

Meyers Nave is proud to represent the ATLC and to have helped secure this important victory for the Tongva and Acjachemen people. For more information on the ATLC, we encourage you to visit: https://www.atlandconservancy.com/.