Environmental and Natural Resources

California Bill Would Permit Employees to Record Liens for Alleged Unpaid Wages

During the last couple of legislative sessions, union interests have been working with California legislators to pass a bill that would enable employees to record liens against their employers’ real property, as well as against the real property where their work was performed. The current bill – Assembly Bill 2416 – has momentum. It has […]

July 18, 2014 | 1 min read

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Sean M. Sherlock Partner

“CEQA-in-Reverse” Case Headed for the California Supreme Court

Real estate developers, public agencies and private businesses involved in land development or redevelopment may soon have to contend with a new far-reaching interpretation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Rick McNeil, Jon Frank and Connie Bak discuss how the California Supreme Court’s decision in California Building Industry Association v. Bay Area Air Quality […]

May 12, 2014 | 1 min read | Tagged: California Supreme Court, CEQA

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Richard J. McNeil Former Partner

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Jonathan E. Frank Partner

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Connie H. Bak Former Associate

“Takings” Decision Raises State Law Questions

Originally published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal In a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Alito, the U.S. Supreme Court last week expanded the scope of private property right protections in a takings case which held that a local land use authority must adhere to constitutional takings protections in cases in which a development permit […]

July 8, 2013 | 1 min read

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Richard J. McNeil Former Partner

CEQA Reform Update

[Originaly published in Developing News, March 19, 2013] In January of this year I offered some thoughts on sensible reform of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”)—A Sensible Proposal for CEQA Reform (1/16/13). Now that the deadline has passed for the legislators to introduce their bills, we have a clearer picture of what Sacramento views […]

June 20, 2013 | 4 min read

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Sean M. Sherlock Partner

Hope on the Horizon for Proposition 65 Reform?

by Colin Higgins Many Orange County businesses have experienced first-hand the frustration of receiving a 60-day (presuit) notice letter under Proposition 65 alleging that the business failed to provide legally-required warnings to its customers or the public. Recently introduced legislation hopes to alleviate much of that frustration. Everyone is familiar with Proposition 65 warning signage […]

June 20, 2013 | 5 min read

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Colin R. Higgins Partner