Overview In this Of Counsel role you provide high-level guidance and leadership on land use and environmental matters. You will focus on CEQA strategy, manage related litigation, and counsel clients on entitlements and compliance. You'll guide junior attorneys and coordinate with agencies and experts to support complex transactions and regulatory projects. This is a client-facing position with opportunities for business development and mentorship within a public-private environmental practice.
Responsibilities- Provide expert advice on land use, environmental review, and CEQA-focused strategy
- Lead CEQA litigation, administrative appeals, and related matters including discovery, motions, hearings, and trial prep
- Draft and review environmental documents, petitions, regulatory filings, permits, and mitigation agreements
- Counsel on project approvals, rezonings, conditional use permits, subdivision maps, and entitlements
- Conduct environmental due diligence for transactions; coordinate Phase I/II studies and risk assessments
- Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies and outside experts
- Advise on CEQA, NEPA, CWA, ESA and related environmental statutes
- Provide litigation strategy and crisis response for enforcement actions
- Supervise and mentor junior attorneys and staff; oversee work delegation and professional development
- Participate in business development, client relationship management, and budgeting for matters
- Manage multiple matters with strong ethical standards and deadlines
Key requirements- JD from an accredited law school; admission to practice in the relevant state (California preferred)
- Minimum 8+ years of substantive environmental and land use law experience
- Proven CEQA litigation leadership and administrative proceedings experience
- Strong track record advising on land use entitlements, permitting, and regulatory compliance
- Experience with federal environmental statutes (NEPA, CWA, ESA) and local planning/zoning processes
- Courtroom and hearing experience including trial and appellate exposure
- Excellent legal writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills; ability to explain complex concepts to non-lawyers/public officials
- Experience supervising junior attorneys and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
- Business development and client management experience, including fee estimates and staffing plans
- High professional ethics, strong judgment, and ability to manage multiple matters
- client-focused communication
- mentorship and leadership
- cross-functional collaboration
- CEQA
- NEPA
- CWA
