Amanda Daams is of counsel in Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice group. She assists clients on all issues related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and associated environmental laws. She takes a pragmatic approach to solving difficult land use issues and advising clients on CEQA, NEPA, the Planning and Zoning Law, Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, Subdivision Map Act and related laws.

Amanda has significant experience working with both clients and consultants on various environmental documents, including environmental impact reports, negative declarations and addendums, as well as assisting clients with CEQA exemption determinations. She has reviewed and advised on hundreds of environmental documents, including those related to general plan updates, large scale specific plans, residential, commercial, mixed use, industrial and transportation projects, as well as mining projects across California. She also advises on cultural resources issues (including obtaining permits for a federally recognized Native American Tribe) and environmental justice concerns.

Amanda assists clients with the public review process, including assisting public agencies with resolutions and ordinances regarding both CEQA compliance and necessary land use findings. She advises on issues pertaining to the Public Records Act and has successfully defended project approvals in court.
 
Amanda also guides clients through the regulatory approval process and in their pursuit of local, state and federal permits, including permits from the United State Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Army Corps of Engineers. She assists clients with the LAFCO process as well as represents clients before airport land use commissions.

Amanda is very active in the Association of Environmental Professionals, serving as the Chapter Director for the Inland Empire Chapter and planning CEQA workshops. She is also a graduate of Leadership Riverside, a program to develop the next generation of leaders by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.

She grew up in Riverside and enjoys college football, baking and trips to the zoo with her family. 

Education

• Notre Dame Law School, J.D.
• University of San Diego, B.A., history and political science, summa cum laude

Admissions

• California

Memberships

• Association of Environmental Professionals, chapter director, 2010 - present
• Riverside County Barristers Association, secretary (2011-2012), president (2012-2013), December 2009 - present
• California Construction and Industrial Materials Association, 2010-2016
• Women in Mining, 2014-2016
• CREW - Commercial Real Estate Women, 2015-2016