Damon Mamalakis practices in all areas of land use and environmental law, focusing on all manners of real estate developments, land use entitlements, and environmental litigation. Damon’s practice encompasses a wide range of land use and environmental law, including local planning and zoning regulations and related environmental matters; State land use regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the California Coastal Act; the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Clean Air Act and regional air quality regulations; Clean Water Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); and Proposition 65 (the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act). Damon has extensive experience working with local jurisdictions and state, regional, and federal agencies to secure regulatory approvals and project entitlements.
Damon has worked on a variety of major development projects across California, including the Hollywood Bowl Renovation, Playa Vista (Phase 1 and the Village), Lytle Creek Ranch Specific Plan, World Oil Bakersfield Commons, San Diego Gas & Electric’s Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Line, Southern California Edison’s Mandalay Peaker Plant, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Costco projects statewide, the Douglas Emmett Landmark residential project, PG&E’s Diablo Nuclear Power Plant, the Woodridge Northlake mixed use development project, 1111 Sunset Boulevard Mixed Use Project, 5420 Sunset Boulevard Mixed Use Project, and countless infill projects in Southern California. He has substantial experience with entitling controversial projects and with CEQA compliance.
Damon also has significant courtroom experience in state and federal trial and appellate courts. His expertise includes CEQA writ trials and appeals, which has resulted in numerous published opinions including World Business Academy v. California State Lands Commission (Pacific Gas and Electric) (2018) 24 Cal.App.5th 476, Protect Tustin Ranch v. City of Tustin (Costco Wholesale) (2021) 70 Cal.App.5th 951 and Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters v. City of Los Angeles (Icon at Panorama) (2022) 76 Cal.App.5th 1154. Damon’s day-to-day litigation practice focuses on land use disputes, typically involving CEQA. Damon advises clients and litigates many matters involving state and local government laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act and the Public Records Act.
Damon was named as a Southern California Super Lawyer for 2013-2023.
Damon received his J.D. from U.C. Berkeley in 1996, earned his M.A. in social psychology from San Francisco State University in 1992, and earned his B.A. in psychology from U.C. Berkeley in 1990. Prior to joining Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac, Damon was a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP.
