Updates and Articles
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,...
Read MoreIn 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 Resources...
Read MoreSpreading 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 support through annual contributions to groups doing...
Read MoreSMW 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.
Read MoreSpeaker 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.
Read MoreSMW 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.
Read MoreSMW 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 controls; global warming and climate...
Read MoreSMW Ranked Top Tier Nationally Among 2022 “Best Law Firms”
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® has again given Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP a “Tier 1” ranking in four categories among law firms in the San Francisco metropolitan area, and three national awards, including a prestigious “Tier 1” ranking among all firms nationally in Land Use & Zoning Law. View the rankings here.
Read MoreSettlement Reached with CSU-Long Beach Over Puvungna, Sacred Tribal Land
An agreement between the plaintiffs, the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation – Belardes and the California Cultural Resources Preservation Alliance, Inc., and the university includes permanent protection of Puvungna, prohibits development, and allows continued religious and cultural Tribal activities.
Read MoreSan Diego Superior Court Ruling Stops Sprawl Development in Fire-Prone Area
Photo: Quino checkerspot butterfly Earlier this month, the San Diego County Superior Court reversed San Diego County’s approval of the Otay Ranch Village 14 project, a proposed development that would have paved over critical wildlife habitat while building 1,100 homes on fire-prone land east of Chula Vista. In a consolidated cases brought by a coalition of environmental groups and the People of California, the court...
Read MoreSMW Attorney Presents at the CLA Environment Law Section Conference
On October 16, 2021, SMW Partner Matt Zinn spoke on a panel at the annual California Lawyers Association (CLA) Environmental Law Section 2021 Yosemite Virtual Conference. The panel provided updates and discussion about major environmental law cases pending in and decided by the United States Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit and D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the California Supreme Court over the past year.
Read MoreSMW Attorney Presents at Intro to Environmental Law Series
On October 4, 2021, SMW Fellow Mindy Jian spoke on a CEQA 101 panel, part of the California Lawyer’s Association Environmental Law Section and California Young Lawyers Association’s joint series covering introductory topics in environmental law. The panel provided an overview of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), discussing the statute’s purposes, scope, and application.
Read More