SMW Prevails in Fight Against Sprawl Development in the Hills of Contra Costa County
SMW helped non-profit group Save Mount Diablo strike a blow against environmentally damaging, sprawl development in Contra Costa County, and as a result staved off massive grading and development in the hills between Pittsburg and Concord. Earlier this year, the Contra Costa Superior Court agreed with SMW’s argument that the environmental review for a proposed […]
SMW Serves as General Counsel to Highlands Recreation District
In 2022, the firm began serving as General Counsel to the Highlands Recreation District. The Highlands Recreation District is a Special District in the unincorporated Highlands neighborhood of San Mateo County. The District has provided exceptional recreational services since its establishment in the 1950s.
New Toolkit Guides Regulators and Utilities in Improving Energy Storage Interconnection
Energy storage has a unique and pivotal role to play in the transition to a low-carbon economy because it can help the electric grid accommodate more renewable energy. However, a number of barriers currently impede the process of connecting energy storage systems to the energy distribution grid. A new suite of actionable recommendations for regulators […]
Settlement Over Raising Cane’s Drive-Thru Will Protect Elementary Students
SMW attorneys successfully represented a community group in blocking construction of a drive-thru restaurant right across the street from a school in Brea, California. The plaintiffs, a group of staff and volunteers at Laurel Elementary School, were concerned that increased traffic and long lines of cars outside a new Raising Cane’s drive-thru restaurant would pose […]
Residents Can Play a Vital Role in Establishing Funding Streams for Local Programs
Cities and counties face significant challenges in raising funds for basic services and special programs. Chief among these, local governments must receive two-thirds voter approval before imposing a tax to fund designated programs. However, under a series of recent court rulings, voter-sponsored initiatives for special taxes need only be approved by a simple majority. This article discusses this new revenue opportunity, and how courts have thus far viewed local officials’ involvement in these efforts.
In Case You Missed It
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger’s attorneys also regularly write for other publications. Some recent articles that may be of interest include: Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine: Black Lives Matter as Government Speech Daily Journal: Restoring California’s Leadership in Setting Tailpipe Emissions Standards Daily Journal: Competition and Collusion on the Road to Clean Cars ABA Environment, Energy, and […]
Spreading Good Cheer at the End of Another Challenging Year
As last year drew to a close, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger continued its efforts to identify and make charitable contributions to groups engaged in environmental justice and anti-racism work. “It is part of our firm’s ethos to support non-profit organizations engaged in environmental justice, anti-racism, and empowerment work, and we are committed to continuing our […]
SMW Attorneys Chair and Present at Land Trust Conservation Forum
Shute Mihaly & Weinberger partner Tamara Galanter chaired the California Council of Land Trust’s (CCLT) Conservation Forum in December of 2021, where partner Robert “Perl” Perlmutter presented on recent legislation threatening the permanence of conservation easements.
Speaker Pelosi Celebrates the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal at Salesforce Transit Center Event; SMW Supports TJPA’s Application for Federal Funds
SMW client the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) hosted Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the Bay Area delegation at an event at the Salesforce Transit Center, celebrating the federal commitment to fund public transit under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.
SMW Helps Land Trust Acquire Property to Augment Coyote Valley Preserve
Continuing its work with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to protect the Coyote Valley in south San Jose, the firm assisted the Authority to acquire the 10-acre Ocean Queen USA parcel, a property slated for development. The property will be added to the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. Read more.