Press Releases Jan 03, 2023
Best Best & Krieger Promotes Five Attorneys to Partner
2023 Promotions and Re-elections to the Executive Committee
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
In today’s litigious society, even the best-prepared California Environmental Quality Act documentation is regularly challenged, delaying projects and escalating costs associated with obtaining approvals. Handling documentation with an eye toward litigation is the key to reducing disputes and enhancing the likelihood of success should litigation occur.
Best Best & Krieger LLP’s environmental attorneys guide both private and public agency clients through all aspects of the CEQA and land use entitlement process, assuring full compliance with CEQA’s requirements. From pre-project planning, document preparation, noticing and approvals through ensuing litigation — a single team helps at every stage, minimizing costs and delays while maximizing environmental protection. We prepare local CEQA guidelines for more than 70 public agencies, including cities, school districts, water districts and special districts, and are proficient at reviewing, preparing and revising environmental impact reports, notices of exemption, initial studies, negative declarations, findings and statements of overriding considerations and addenda. Additionally, we advise on mitigation monitoring and reporting plans.
Experienced in every type of project that breaks ground, BB&K attorneys have successfully advised on CEQA issues and challenges for diverse projects including: commercial infrastructure, residential and mixed-use projects; industrial facilities and warehouse; specific and general plans; and habitat conservation plans and projects. Skilled at the subtleties of CEQA review and related permitting, we tailor our analysis to reflect rapidly evolving laws, such as those involving greenhouse gas emissions, endangered species and other potential areas of vulnerability. Our attorneys’ deep understanding of CEQA enables us to represent clients before administrative boards and trial and appellate courts throughout California.
We fully grasp the interplay of CEQA and other environmental statutes, including the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, the National Environmental Policy Act and state and federal Clean Water Acts, enabling our clients to rely on one team at one firm to navigate them through CEQA and all related environmental law requirements.
Legal Alerts Dec 02, 2022
CEQA Document Filing Fees Increase for 2023
Legal Alerts Oct 31, 2022
New Brown Act Requirements from Second District Court of Appeals
CEQA Finding of Exemption to be Listed on an Agency’s Agenda for its Public Meetings
Press Releases May 18, 2022
Lauren Langer Recognized as Top L.A. Attorney
Los Angeles Business Journal Honors Standout Legal Talent
Press Releases Apr 21, 2022
BB&K’s Alisha Winterswyk Named a Latino Leader Worth Watching
Profiles in Diversity Journal Recognizes Talents and Achievements of Latino Leaders
Legal Alerts Feb 03, 2022
In With the New – Part Three
BB&K's New Law Guidance for a Happy New Year
BB&K In the News Feb 01, 2022
Eric Garner and John Brown Publish Art Littleworth Tribute
Tribute Runs as Riverside Lawyer Magazine Cover Story
Press Releases Jan 06, 2022
Best Best & Krieger Promotes Six Attorneys to Partner
Additional 2022 Leadership Updates Involving Managing Partner and Executive Committee
Legal Alerts Dec 02, 2021
CEQA Document Filing Fees Increase for 2022
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Announces Annual Adjustments
Press Releases Oct 20, 2021
BB&K Pays Tribute to the Late Arthur Littleworth, Former Senior Partner
Firm Honors Littleworth’s Distinguished Character, Trailblazing Water Practice and Rich Legacy
Legal Alerts Sep 09, 2021
SB 9: It’s Not a Duplex Bill, It’s a Fourplex Bill!
Bill to Allow Lot Splits and Two-Unit Projects By-Right in Single-Family Zones Passes in Legislature and Awaits Governor Approval
Legal Alerts Aug 19, 2021
AB 819 Increases Public Access to CEQA Documents
Bill Will Become Effective Jan. 1, 2022
Press Releases Jul 28, 2021
Partner Amy Hoyt Selected for Leadership Riverside Class of 2022
Graduates of Leadership Riverside go on to advocate for betterment of Riverside
Authored Articles & Publications Jul 08, 2021
Real Estate Acquisitions for Public Agencies: Do Your Homework!
Thorough, Fact-finding Due Diligence Mitigates Risks, Writes Real Estate Attorney Nancy Park in PublicCEO
Authored Articles & Publications May 26, 2021
Planning, Zoning and Development Legal Update
A Q&A With BB&K Of Counsel Todd Leishman and Partner Alisha Winterswyk
Authored Articles & Publications Apr 13, 2021
Court Grants Attorneys' Fees Against City in Development Litigation
CEQA Appellate Court Decision Analyzed by BB&K's Amanda Daams in PublicCEO
Legal Alerts Jan 06, 2021
Housing and Environmental New Laws
Part 2: New Laws Impacting California Public Agencies for 2021
Legal Alerts Dec 14, 2020
New Tribal Consultation Process for Multi-Family Housing
California’s AB 168 Adds Requirements to Approval Process
Legal Alerts Dec 09, 2020
CEQA Document Filing Fees Increase for 2021
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Annual Adjustments
Event Nov 20, 2020
California Land Use Law & Policy Conference 2020
Argent Communications Group
BB&K Event Nov 09, 2020
AEP 2020 Virtual Conference
Association of Environmental Professionals
Legal Alerts Sep 08, 2020
DWR Releases Draft Guidebook for 2020 Urban Water Management Plans
Stakeholders Have Until Sept. 21 to Review and Comment
Legal Alerts Sep 02, 2020
New Filing Requirements for CEQA Documents
Significant Changes begin Nov. 3
Legal Alerts Sep 01, 2020
California Supreme Court Clarifies Ministerial vs. Discretionary Actions Under CEQA for Well Construction Permits
Decision in Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources v. County of Stanislaus Case
Legal Alerts Jul 29, 2020
Caltrans Releases New Interim Guidance for Conducting Safety Impact Analyses Under CEQA
Guidance Brings Heightened Scrutiny
Authored Articles & Publications Feb 13, 2020
PublicCEO: BB&K Municipal Law Team Discusses New Public Agency Laws - Part 2
Land Use, Telecommunications, Environmental and More
Legal Alerts Jan 23, 2020
New Year's Resolution for Public Agencies: Prepare to use Vehicle Miles Traveled as the Metric for Transportation Impacts under CEQA
A Change in Methodology Will be Required Statewide July 1
Legal Alerts Jan 13, 2020
New Environmental and Telecommunications Laws
Part 3: California Laws Impacting Public Agencies for 2020
Legal Alerts Dec 10, 2019
CEQA Document Filing Fees Increase for 2020
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Annual Adjustments
Legal Alerts Aug 20, 2019
California Supreme Court Clarifies CEQA’s Most Fundamental Question: What is a “Project?”
Union of Medical Marijuana Patients, Inc. v. City of San Diego
Authored Articles & Publications Apr 30, 2019
"California Water," Third Edition
Eric Garner’s Updates to Text on Historical, Legal and Policy Issues Affecting California Water Use
Authored Articles & Publications Mar 18, 2019
CEQA Compliance for Businesses
BB&K’s Charity Schiller and Amanda Daams Warn Why Businesses Should Heed CEQA’s Changing Processes
Legal Alerts Jan 15, 2019
Comprehensive Update to the State CEQA Guidelines
Approved by California Natural Resources Agency
Legal Alerts Jan 11, 2019
California Supreme Court Addresses Standard of Review for EIRs and Air Quality Impact Analyses
Decision in Sierra Club v. County of Fresno Case
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Legal Alerts Jan 10, 2019
New Year, New Laws Impacting Public Agencies in California – Part II
Housing and Land Use and Environmental Laws Saw Changes in 2019
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Legal Alerts Dec 13, 2018
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Annual CEQA Document Filing Fee Increase
Effective Jan. 1
Authored Articles & Publications Dec 13, 2018
Hastings Environmental Law Journal: CEQA’s Judicial Remedies and Reform Recommendations
BB&K’s Michelle Ouellette and Ali Tehrani Authored Law Review Article
Press Releases Oct 08, 2018
BB&K’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources Practice Expands
Firm Welcomes Four New Attorneys to Group
Legal Alerts Sep 19, 2018
Statutory Development Agreements Cannot be Passed by Initiative
California Appellate Court Gives Cities Less Flexibility
Press Releases Sep 17, 2018
Partner Charity Schiller a “Woman Worth Watching”
Profiles in Diversity Journal Recognizes Professionals for their Leadership
Legal Alerts Aug 27, 2018
Court Upholds Approval of Superstore Zoning Ordinance
California Appellate Court Supports the Broad Use of CEQA Addenda
Videos Aug 14, 2018
Christi Hogin Video Bio
Of Counsel
Videos Aug 14, 2018
Lauren Langer Video Bio
Partner
Legal Alerts Aug 06, 2018
Groundwater Extraction Permits Not Subject to CEQA in San Luis Obispo County
Approval is a Ministerial Action, not subject to CEQA, Appellate Court Finds
Press Releases Jun 22, 2018
BB&K Partner Lauren Langer on Daily Journal 40 Under 40 List
Annual List Recognizes Attorneys for their Achievements
Press Releases Jun 07, 2018
Isabel Safie and Jill Tremblay Return to 2018 So. Cal. Super Lawyers Rising Stars List
The BB&K Attorneys Acknowledged Again for Practice Achievements
Client Successes May 31, 2018
CEQA Challenge to Billboard Project Defeated
BB&K Attorneys Defended West Hollywood’s Sunset Blvd. Sign Approval
Authored Articles & Publications May 23, 2018
CEQA – Today and Tomorrow
Legal Decisions and Pending Guideline Updates Have Effect on the CEQA Review Process Write BB&K Attorneys Charity Schiller and Amanda Daams in PublicCEO
BB&K In the News May 16, 2018
Profile: BB&K CEQA Attorney Amanda Daams
Riverside Lawyer Magazine Features the RCBA Barristers' Past President
Authored Articles & Publications May 10, 2018
Recent and Upcoming Changes to CEQA
BB&K Attorney Amanda Daams Discusses the California Environmental Quality Act in a Riverside Lawyer Article
Client Successes May 02, 2018
Appellate Court Rejects Challenges to Residential Development in Montebello
BB&K Defends City from CEQA, Brown Act and Planning and Zoning Law Claims
Legal Alerts Apr 05, 2018
Parking Impacts Warrant Only Limited Consideration under CEQA for Infill Projects in Transit Priority Areas
Court Upholds City of Covina Infill Project
Legal Alerts Dec 11, 2017
California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Increases CEQA Document Filing Fees
Filing Fees for CEQA Notices of Determination Increase Jan. 1
Legal Alerts Dec 01, 2017
Proposed “Comprehensive Update” to the State CEQA Guidelines Released
California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Proposal Also Addresses SB 743
Authored Articles & Publications Sep 28, 2017
Town vs. Gown
How Land Use and Environmental Laws Mediate Disputes Between Universities, Colleges and Communities
Legal Alerts Sep 27, 2017
CEQA Compliance for Commercial Cannabis Business Licensing under MAUCRSA
Proposal Open to Comments
Legal Alerts Sep 11, 2017
Legislature May Expedite CEQA Review for Transportation Projects Connected to 2028 Olympic Games
Bill Introduced in Advance of Los Angeles Being Awarded the Games This Week
Legal Alerts Aug 03, 2017
CEQA Not Preempted in State-Owned Rail Project
California Supreme Court Decision Could Impact High-Speed Rail Project
Client Successes Jul 19, 2017
Mid County Parkway Freeway Infrastructure Project Prevails for Second Time
BB&K Attorneys Represent RCTC; Defeat Environmental Challenges
Legal Alerts Jul 14, 2017
Lead Agencies Need Not (Necessarily) Consider Governor’s Executive Orders When Analyzing Emissions
California Supreme Court Finding Serves as a Key Victory for Public Agencies
Legal Alerts Jun 21, 2017
CEQA Review of Cannabis Regulations
Comment Period Opens on Draft Program Environmental Impact Report of MCRSA and AUMA
Client Successes Jun 01, 2017
NEPA Victory for Freeway Infrastructure Project in Riverside County
BB&K Team Represents RCTC in Mid County Parkway Project Dispute
Client Successes May 25, 2017
Appellate Court Rejects CEQA Challenges to Development in Santa Ana
BB&K Team Represented City
Press Releases May 25, 2017
Partners Michelle Ouellette and Kelly Salt Named Top Women Lawyers
Daily Journal’s Annual List of California’s Best Female Attorneys
Client Successes Mar 30, 2017
Art Museum Can Proceed Following BB&K CEQA Victory
Court Strikes Down Challenges to City’s Approval of Pomona College Master Plan Update
Client Successes Mar 29, 2017
State Route 91 Express Lanes
BB&K Helped RCTC Pave the Way
Press Releases Mar 15, 2017
BB&K Environmental Team Wins California Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award
Congratulations to Michelle Ouellette, Sarah Owsowitz and Jennifer Lynch
Press Releases Jan 20, 2017
Southern California Super Lawyers 2017
Five BB&K Partners Receive Honor
Legal Alerts Dec 13, 2016
CEQA Document Filing Fees Increase
Fee Increase for CEQA Notices of Determination Effective Jan. 1
Videos Nov 30, 2016
John Holloway Video Bio
Partner
Videos Nov 18, 2016
Steve M. Anderson Video Bio
Partner
Legal Alerts Nov 10, 2016
Evaluating a Project’s “Exacerbation” on Existing Environmental Hazards
Substantial Evidence Proving “Exacerbation” Required, California Appellate Court Says
Legal Alerts Oct 11, 2016
California Coastal Act Takes Priority Over Housing Density Laws
Court Decision Provides Guidance for Affordable Housing Units within the Coastal Zone
Legal Alerts Oct 05, 2016
Four New California Cap and Trade Bills Fund Programs
$900 Million in Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016-17
Legal Alerts Sep 26, 2016
New Legislation Seeks to Expedite CEQA Administrative Record Process
Provides Opportunity to Streamline Litigation
Legal Alerts Sep 21, 2016
CEQA Allows Developers to Recover Administrative Record Costs when Reimbursing Agency
Appellate Victory for Developers and Public Agencies
Legal Alerts Sep 20, 2016
California Supreme Court Clarifies CEQA’s Subsequent Review Rules and Standard of Review
Decision Issued After Years of Uncertainty
Legal Alerts Aug 30, 2016
California Governor Extends CEQA Litigation Streamlining Provisions for Large Projects Promoting Job Creation and Innovative Technologies
Law Will Expedite Schedules for Qualified Projects
Legal Alerts Aug 29, 2016
Legislature Passes Pair of Significant New Climate Change Bills
Gov. Brown Expected to Sign Laws that Will Have CEQA Implications
Authored Articles & Publications Aug 24, 2016
Sweeping Six-Case Win For Water District Helps Secure Orange County’s Water Supply
BB&K Partner Michelle Ouellette Authors a Summary of Recent Appellate Victory for Orange County Lawyer Magazine
Legal Alerts Aug 18, 2016
Air Quality District’s CEQA Thresholds Limited
California Appellate Court Weighs in Following State Supreme Court Decision
Legal Alerts Aug 15, 2016
New Guidance Issued for Analyzing Climate Change in National Environmental Policy Act Documents
Guidance May Impact Agency Actions Currently Undergoing NEPA Review and Joint NEPA/CEQA Documents
Legal Alerts Jun 28, 2016
Case Clarifies California’s Subdivision Map Act Requirements
Cities and Counties Impacted
Client Successes Jun 02, 2016
CEQA, Brown Act and Planning and Zoning Law Challenges Overcome in Development Project
On Behalf of the City of Montebello, BB&K Attorneys Successful in Lawsuit
Client Successes May 13, 2016
BB&K Secures CEQA Appellate Victory in Water Project
Six Challenges to Public-Private Partnership Effort Overcome
BB&K In the News May 11, 2016
BB&K Team’s CEQA Appellate Victory in Water Transfer Project
High-Profile Case That Impacts Water Customers Throughout Southern California Discussed in News Reports
Legal Alerts May 11, 2016
Sweeping Six-Case Win for Water District
Court Upholds Public-Private Groundwater Conservation and Recovery Project That Will Serve Customers Throughout Southern California
Legal Alerts Jan 25, 2016
Office of Planning and Research Proposes Revisions to State CEQA Guidelines
Comments Sought by Feb. 29 on the Transition from LOS to VMT
Legal Alerts Mar 03, 2015
California Supreme Court Makes Critical CEQA Ruling Regarding Categorical Exemptions
Court Clarifies the Unusual Circumstances Exception