Updates and Articles
New Report Calls for Transformational Change in Our Relationship to and Stewardship of Fire
Photo: Analisa burning with a pitch stick. Photo credit: Alex Watts-Tobin Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger partner Sara A. Clark is lead author on a new report, Good Fire II, that addresses barriers to the expansion of cultural burning and prescribed fire in the United States and provides recommended solutions. Good Fire II builds on the original Good Fire report, published in 2021. Since its release, the original...
Read MoreSMW Attorneys Recognized Once Again as Leaders in Environmental Law
“The Lawdragon Green 500: The 2024 Leaders in Environmental Law” list has been released and once again, 12 Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger attorneys are on the list. Kevin P. Bundy, Ellison Folk, Tamara S. Galanter, Ellen J. Garber, Winter King, Robert “Perl” Perlmutter, Gabriel M. B. Ross, Andrew W. Schwartz, Sky C. Stanfield, Richard Taylor, William J. White and Matthew D. Zinn were recognized variously for their...
Read MoreNew Rent for Letterman Digital Arts Campus at Presidio
Andrew Schwartz, Of Counsel with the firm, and Julie Dolinsek, one of the firm’s paralegals, assisted the Presidio Trust in the reappraisal of the ground rent for the Letterman Digital Arts Center Campus at the Presidio.
Read MoreCommunity Land Trusts: A Valuable Tool in Promoting Affordable Housing
Under California law, cities are required to identify opportunities to develop sufficient housing to meet the needs of residents of all income levels. However, many municipalities struggle to produce enough affordable housing. This article explores the role community land trusts can play in building and managing affordable housing.
Read MoreMitigating Vehicle Miles Traveled
In 2020, the methodology under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for evaluating transportation-related impacts changed from level of service (LOS) to vehicle miles traveled (VMT). This change has necessitated new strategies for mitigating those impacts. This article outlines several approaches lead agencies may consider to mitigate a project’s significant VMT-related impacts.
Read MoreHoliday Cheer from Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger
As we say goodbye to 2023 and prepare to ring in the New Year, we’re feeling grateful for our wonderful clients and colleagues and for the opportunities we had this past year to do good work and support good causes. This year our firm made charitable contributions to numerous organizations whose work inspires us by advancing the causes of environmental justice, anti-racism, and empowerment work. Please scroll down to see a...
Read MoreSMW Again Ranked Top Tier Nationally Among “Best Law Firms”
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger has been named in the 2024 Best Law Firms® rankings by Best Lawyers, in several different categories. The firm has been named a highly prestigious National Tier 1 Best Law Firm in Land Use and Zoning Law. SMW was also named a Metropolitan Tier 1 Best Law Firm in San Francisco in Environmental Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Environmental Litigation, and Land Use & Zoning Litigation. View...
Read MoreBuilding Decarbonization Update: Local Governments in California Consider Strategies to Reduce Natural Gas Use in Buildings
Following up on the October 2019 and February 2020 editions of In the Public Interest, this article provides an update regarding strategies proposed by several cities and counties to encourage or require existing buildings to go all-electric.
Read MoreOctober 2023 Update Re: Local Governments on High Alert as New Statewide Ballot Measure Seeks to Restrict State and Local Revenue
A statewide initiative seeking to further restrict the ability of state and local governments to raise public funds through fees and taxes is ready to appear on the November 2024 ballot. Given the potential dire consequences of this measure, many local governments are taking actions now to address it.
Read MoreMid-Cycle 2022 CALGreen Building Code Update Re: Changes Coming in 2023 to State Energy Code and Green Building Standards
California Building Standards Commission adopts updates to electric vehicle charging requirements for new multifamily buildings Since we first wrote about the latest Energy Code and energy-related CALGreen updates that went into effect statewide in January 2023, some additional important updates have been made to CALGreen. Following this regular triannual update, the California Building Standards Commission recently...
Read MoreNavigating Bid Protests: Essential Tips for California Government Agencies
Introduction Procurement processes are essential to the proper administration of government agencies, ensuring they acquire goods and services efficiently and cost-effectively. This article explores essential tips for California government agencies dealing with bid protests in competitively bid public works projects, offering guidance on how to navigate the intricacies of the process. Power to Contract Competitive...
Read MoreTribes, Agencies, Other Experts Collaborate on Wildfire Mitigation Strategies
From the deadly conflagration in Hawaii to the toxic smoke blanketing the East Coast, this year’s wildland fires have driven home the reality that wildfires are a huge and growing threat. In response to this national crisis, in 2021 President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, which has just released its final report.
Read More