Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP‘s real estate, energy, land use and environmental department provides clients with advice on a wide spectrum of zoning and land use matters, including on subdivision, environmental reviews and the California Environmental Quality Act, community engagement matters, historic preservation and development agreements, wetlands, endangered species, zoning and water quality regulations, and real estate litigation. Keith Garner co-leads the group from the firm’s San Francisco office, while Michael Leake co-leads the department from the firm’s office in San Diego. With vast experience in land use planning, entitlement approvals, and land use litigation defense, Jeffrey Forrest ’has proven invaluable in helping to navigate municipal permitting processes, and very challenging CEQA pathways’. In Los Angeles, Jack Rubens handles land use litigation and real estate transactions, while New York’s Jodi Stein frequently represents real estate developers in obtaining land use approvals, well-supported by associate Eva Schneider. In March 2023, Cleveland lawyer Andrew Bengston, Dallas attorneys Michelle Brown and Shane Trawick, and Columbus-based partner Ian Lange joined the team from Jones Day, while Alfred Fraijo and Kira Conlon departed the practice in May 2023. Rocky Delgadillo joined the team from DLA Piper LLP (US) in April 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A well-rounded practice with exceptional partners who have allowed our teams to successfully navigate the land use/permitting challenges faced in numerous jurisdictions. They have extensive expertise in the real estate transaction space, significant local expertise in CA, and a great understanding of strategies to assist with permitting challenges here in CA.'
- 'Jeffrey Forrest has proven invaluable in helping to navigate municipal permitting processes, and very challenging CEQA pathways. His knowledge of the counterparties in the legal staffs of these jurisdictions has also helped tremendously.'
- 'The practice stays current with the latest case law, CEQA, and other pertinent land use issues. They have strong relationships with specific cities and their city attorneys.'
- 'Jennifer Renk is a very talented strong attorney with positive relationships with many city attorneys. She is skilled at focusing on project, process, or work product vulnerabilities with a "big picture" approach as well as detail-oriented.'
Key clients
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- All Vision, LLC.
- IKE Smart City
- Pacific Communities Builder, Inc.
- Amyla Holdings LLC
- Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
- Circulate San Diego
- Jay Paul Company
- Lightstone
- Williamsburg Moxy
Work highlights
- Advised the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and All Vision, LLC on securing approval of multiple ordinances to establish a Transportation Communication Network District to develop and operate 86 digital signs on 49 sites throughout the City of Los Angeles.
- Represented IKE Smart City in the City of San Diego’s entitlement process to obtain approval to construct up to 75 digital wayfinding kiosks on the sidewalks of Downtown San Diego.
- Represented Amyla Holdings LLC in the sale of approximately 1,250 acres of coastal land near Malibu to the Trust for Public Land.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Eva Schneider
Practice head
Keith Garner; Michael Leake
Other key lawyers
Jeffrey Forrest; Jack Rubens; Jodi Stein; Jennifer Renk; Andrew Bengston; Michelle Brown; Shane Trawick; Ian Lange; Rocky Delgadillo; Eva Schneider