Our land use attorneys craft pragmatic approaches and creative “win-win” solutions for our clients in new construction and historic reuse projects. In guiding development projects through complex political and regulatory processes to obtain land use entitlements, we focus on the bottom line financial goals of the project and avoid land use disputes and litigation that potentially destroy the economic viability of even the most promising projects. 

We have extensive experience in all aspects of the entitlement process, including government entity disposition agreements, development agreements, ground leases with public entities, rezonings and general plan amendments, use permits, variances, and environmental reviews under both CEQA and NEPA. Our knowledge of the political landscapes of the Bay Area and Northern California is a valuable asset. We participate in the political processes of the region in which we practice law, as many of our attorneys hold or have held high-profile political appointments.

After a project has successfully completed the entitlement process, we represent clients in the formation of joint ventures and financing structures, the development and construction phases of the project and, in many situations, through leasing and property management. We have a particular expertise in representing clients in applying for and obtaining New Markets and Historic Preservation Tax Credits. In worst case scenarios, we provide representation in disputes related to design and construction defects. 

Firm Highlights

Publication

State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations Go Into Effect April 1, 2023

The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has been actively pursuing comprehensive new wildfire protection standards for development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and State Responsibility Areas where the State of...

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News

Planning Commission OKs Bella Union Winery at Former Provenance Facility in Rutherford

Katherine Philippakis was quoted in the Wine Business article, "Planning Commission OKs Bella Union Winery at Former Provenance Facility in Rutherford."  The goal for the “foreseeable future” is for Bella Union to produce 110,000...

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Event

Bisnow: San Francisco State of the Market

At Bisnow's San Francisco State of the Market event, Ashley Breakfield will moderate the panel "Revitalizing San Francisco: Reconfiguring the city for a hybrid world, reimagining downtown, and uplifting the economy." Click  here  for more information and to...

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News

Farella Braun + Martel Announces 2023 New Partner Class

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Publication

Office-to-Housing Conversion: State and Local Efforts to Revitalize the Downtown

Originally published in The Registry . As office vacancies soar in traditional downtown areas like San Francisco’s Financial District, state and local officials are moving quickly to adopt incentives they hope will bring people...

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News

Lawdragon Names 7 Farella Partners Among “Leaders in Environmental Law”

Northern California legal powerhouse Farella Braun + Martel is pleased to announce that seven partners were selected to the 2023 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law Guide. Selected for inclusion are: Sarah Bell &ndash...

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Publication

San Francisco Planning Commission Endorses Ordinances to Incentivize Adaptive Reuse in Downtown

The San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on May 4 of two ordinances aimed at revitalizing the City’s Downtown, South of Market Street, and Union Square districts. Vacant Office and Commercial Building Conversion...

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Publication

A Year in Review: SB 9 Slow to Gain Traction

A year since the approval of Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), it appears few Californians have taken advantage of the new legislation that aims to streamline small-scale housing development. The bill allows for the...

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Publication

San Francisco’s Downtown: What Does the Future Hold?

Farella's CJ Higley with guest speakers, Marc Babsin with Emerald Fund, Jim Hakes with Handel Architects, Sujata Srivastava with SPUR, and Anne Taupier with San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, discuss "San...

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Publication

Office-to-Housing Conversion: Legislation – California’s Next Frontier

In an effort to spur the conversion of office-to-housing as one way to revitalize California’s struggling urban downtown areas, Assemblyman (and former San Francisco Supervisor) Matt Haney has introduced AB 1532, dubbed the “Office...

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