Business and Real
Estate Litigation
Commercial Finance
Corporate
Employment Law
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Intellectual Property: Patent, Copyright and Trademark
Land Use and Municipal Law
Lender Litigation
Mergers and Acquisitions
Probate and Trust Administration
Probate and Trust Litigation
Real Estate Transactions
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LAND USE AND
MUNICIPAL LAW
Land use decisions in California are
affected by legal regulations and land values. At the Litigation Law Group
we are committed to developing practical and cost-effective solutions
for our clients, We provides advice, advocacy and litigation services
with regard to property rights and entitlements. Our clients are
residential, industrial, and commercial developers, as well as land
owners and users. We advise our clients and work with consultants
regarding general plan, zoning, subdivision map and permitting issues,
including obtaining, utilizing and protecting entitlements and vested
rights in real property. In conjunction with the environmental
consultants and planning departments, we work to develop defensible
environmental documents, appear before local agencies and defend
against challenges (e.g., from neighborhood groups, labor,
competitors). We also draft various agreements in connection with the
development process.
Our role is to advise clients and
advocate for them through local processes including public hearings in
seeking government approvals and agreements related to their real
property interests. We also provide litigation services associated
with clients’ development efforts and real property interests.
At the Litigation Law Group our practice
also includes interpretation of State laws, local ordinances and
municipal contracts. We advise clients on analysis and application of
local government law and advocate on their behalf.. We also work with
clients in developing responses to requests for proposals and other
contractual issues.
We find it extremely helpful to be able
to explain to public entities on the one hand, and to private parties
on the other, how the “other side” would analyze an issue and how they
are likely to react. Without compromising the Firm’s representation or
demonizing the other party, the group’s attorneys can effectively
represent clients on the public or private side of these matters.
The land use practice also has a strong
emphasis in local and state permitting requirements and has litigated
numerous land use, environmental, and condemnation cases. The Litigation Law Group
provides representation and advice in a variety of areas,
including:
- California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA)
- Fees, dedications and exactions
- Development agreements
- Due diligence analysis
- Eminent domain and inverse
condemnation
- Complex, mixed-use projects
- Green development, including LEED
certification
- Subdivision Map Act
- Sensitive habitats and properties
(including hillsides and endangered species habitats, and historic
structures and sites)
- Zoning, conditional use permits,
building permits and architectural and site approvals
- Special taxes, general taxes and
assessment districts
- Brown Act, Public Records Act,
political campaign and disclosure laws
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