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.
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.
SMW Attorney Teaches Land Use Law at Stanford Law School
SMW partner Andrew Schwartz is once again teaching Land Use Law at Stanford Law School for the fall quarter 2021-2022. The course focuses on the pragmatic (more than theoretical) aspects of contemporary land use law and policy, including the tools and historical/legal foundation of modern land use law; zoning and General Plans; the process of land development; affordable housing; growth […]
SMW Attorney on Faculty of Land Trust Alliance Advanced Legal Symposium
On June 10, 2021, Tamara Galanter spoke on amendments to conservation easements and the use of building areas in conservation easements at the Eighth Symposium on Advanced Legal Topics in Land Conservation sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance. As a faculty member, Tamara joined seven other leading legal experts and practitioners to educate more than […]
Rancho Jamul Land Exchange Defeated
SMW and its client Endangered Habitats League scores a major victory in 2020 in its battle to save the Proctor Valley in San Diego County. The Wildlife Conservation Board voted down a proposal to convey a 220-acre state ecological reserve to a private developer as part of a 1,200-unit upscale housing project. Read more here: […]
Court Overturns Sprawl Development in Wildfire Risk Zone
The firm successfully challenges San Diego County’s 2019 approval of the Harmony Grove Village South Project, which would have brought sprawl development to a fire-prone, rural area of the County. Photo by ClassicallyPrinted, Pixabay.
Conservation Easement Enforced in Sonoma County
The firm prevails in a landmark case to enforce a conservation easement protecting sensitive lands in Bennett Valley (Sonoma County) on behalf of the Sonoma Land Trust. After a 19-day trial, the court orders the violators to pay to restore the property. (Sonoma Land Trust v. Thompson.) Image by SMW
Property Purchase, Bridge Provide Needed Link Between State and Regional Parks In Alameda County
After assisting the Tri-Valley Conservancy (TVC) in 2009 in acquiring a key linkage between Del Valle State Park and Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore, the firm advises TVC in 2019 with funding, contracting, and construction of a bridge crossing to provide critical and accessible outdoor recreational opportunities to Livermore and Alameda County residents.
Non-Profit Compliance with Public Contracting Laws
The firm provides ongoing advice to California Trout regarding compliance with public contracting and labor and wage laws for state-funded restoration projects.
SMW Drafts State Legislation to Facilitate Land Conservation and Restoration
In 2019 the firm drafts and helps secure passage of state legislation enabling public agencies to acquire threatened lands and prepare an environmental review for restoration efforts after first protecting the land from development. Image by West Marin Environmental Action Committee from “Parks Are For Everyone.”