Area Of Focus

Land Use, Planning, and Zoning

Securing all required permits to enable projects to proceed on time requires a thorough knowledge of the relevant legal, intergovernmental, and political environments, as well as a practical, results-oriented approach. Our team of lawyers across our Real Estate, Environment, Land Use, and Natural Resources, and Policy and Regulatory practices, are highly skilled in successfully navigating approval requirements and maintaining good stakeholder relationships (including with regulatory agencies, elected officials, nongovernmental organizations, first nations peoples, and the public) to help minimize approval risks and delays. Many of our lawyers also are LEED-accredited green building and design professionals.

We assist a wide range of developers and proponents across the real estate, energy, finance, commercial and industrial, and entertainment sectors with a variety of complex projects including major infrastructure and renewable energy projects, residential and mixed-use developments, office, manufacturing and industrial facilities, sports and entertainment facilities, urban infill projects, and shoreline developments. We work with both private and public clients through the rapidly evolving and complex regulatory environment surrounding land use, planning, and zoning issues related to the approval of new developments. In addition, our lawyers have significant experience in successfully managing environmental liabilities and regulations associated with the remediation, divestment, and redevelopment of contaminated sites.

Our experience includes a broad scope of matters, such as:

Threatened and Endangered Species

Our lawyers have decades of experience navigating the approval process for projects that affect threatened and endangered species and communities. This includes advising on assessment, approval, and biodiversity offset requirements as well as assisting to secure biodiversity offsets.

Approvals and Permits

Most projects require a variety of approvals from different levels of government, including annexations, municipal and county development agreements, planning permits and consents, plat or subdivision approvals, rezonings, and secondary environmental approvals such as building permits, water licenses, road improvement permits, and resource specific permits. Our lawyers can assist with developing a successful strategy for stakeholder management to minimize project opposition and generate broad public support. Our team is also well-situated to represent projects through any administrative appeals or challenges.

Environmental Assessment

Most projects require a range of environmental assessment, with the level of complexity depending on the specific project and regulatory regime. Our lawyers are well-versed in all aspects of environmental assessment, from scoping to public comment and can assist in minimizing the risk of, and responding to, administrative or judicial challenges.

Policy

For projects that require legislative support or lobbying experience, our well-connected and highly recognized US policy team can effectively generate support. Our Public Policy and Law practice has significant experience working with legislative and executive branch agencies at state and federal levels to help clients engage and shape governmental actions.

Shorelines and Coastal Zones

Development projects along shorelines or coastlines face unique regulatory challenges. We help our clients navigate requirements under the coastal management laws.

Site Acquisition and Due Diligence

Our Real Estate and Environment, Land, and Natural Resources lawyers work together to conduct due diligence and evaluate potential development sites for early identification of potential hurdles and obstacles for site development, facilitating smart site selection and investment. They also collaborate with expert consultants to provide efficient due diligence and a seamless transition from site acquisition to permitting and development.