Land Use Entitlements
We assist our clients in obtaining a wide range of entitlements, including those related to general plans, specific plans, subdivisions, condominium conversions, variances, conditional use permits, zone charges, site plan reviews, development agreements, coastal development permits, initiatives and referenda, cultural/historic landmark proceedings, and transportation infrastructure and planning, which encompass the full spectrum of local, regional and state planning decisions.

Advocacy
We also engage in advocacy to assist our clients in protecting their interests in a wide range governmental legislation and proposals. From City Halls in most jurisdictions throughout all Southern California to the State Capitol, we work to ensure that new laws allow our clients to continue to do the hard work of real estate development without increased burden.

CEQA Compliance
Increasingly, CEQA is the weapon of choice to stop development. We bring our decades of experience to bear in the preparing of legally adequate documentation required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including categorical exemptions, negative and mitigated declarations, and environmental impact reports. From this wealth of experience we assist our clients with litigation risk management and, if litigation is filed, we have a great track record in vigorously defending CEQA and other project approvals.

Litigation
When appropriate, we pursue a consensus planning approach and are often able to resolve potential disputes before litigation is filed. But if a development is challenged by a private party or threatened by overreaching governmental actions, our attorneys will vigorously and successfully represent our clients’ interests in any litigation all the way through the appellate process.

Historic Resources
Many of our projects in what are essentially fully built areas. This, combined with an aging building stock, has caused a spike in historic preservation challenges to site redevelopment, even when there is little or no real evidence of cultural significance.

For a variety of reasons, including legislative proposals to tighten preservation regulations and planning initiatives to comprehensive identification, this will be a key ongoing land use issue for decades. Our attorneys are the leading experts in this important area both when redevelopment of sites is needed and when preservation and adaptive use are warranted.

Sport Facilities
Our attorneys have a track record of success in obtaining entitlements and negotiating transactional documents with governmental agencies for sports stadiums, arenas, and associated entertainment venues. This work includes entitlement and signage approvals for several major sports facilities in Southern California – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, AEG’s Football Stadium and Convention Center Expansion in Downtown Los Angeles, Crypto.com Arena, Dignity Sports Health Park in Carson, Dodger Stadium, Petco Park in San Diego, and McAlister Field at USC – and training facilities and offices for the LA Galaxy and the Los Angeles Lakers.

California Coastal Act 
Many projects in the California Coastal Zone—from large scale developments to single family homes—can require Coastal Development Permits from the local jurisdiction, the California Coastal Commission or both. Obtaining a Coastal Development Permit often is very difficult and controversial, regardless of the project size, and the permitting process can be complex and difficult to navigate. Our attorneys and planners have substantial experience in processing approvals under the Coastal Act, are familiar with the California Coastal Commission and understand how to work effectively with Commission Staff and present projects successfully at Coastal Commission hearings. We have the requisite experience to address Coastal Act issues specifically, or in the context of a multi-dimensional entitlement process.