Updates and Articles
SMW Attorneys Lead Negotiation to Acquire Property for Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility
SMW guided the Marin County Transit District in its successful negotiation to purchase property for a bus operations and maintenance facility. The public agency provides public transit and paratransit services throughout Marin County. The new District-controlled facility will incentivize competition for service operations contracts, reduce cost uncertainty, and reduce or minimize overall growth in operating costs for the...
Read MoreFirm Supports Half Moon Bay’s Successful Financing for Corporation Yard Project
In 2021, SMW attorneys assisted the City of Half Moon Bay with successfully securing more than $3 million in financing from California’s Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). The lease-leaseback transaction allows the City to realize significant annual savings on lease costs. The financing allows the City to acquire land for its Corporation Yard, and modernize existing improvements for City use.
Read MoreCertification of Half Moon Bay’s 2020 Local Coastal Land Use Plan Update
The firm advised the City of Half Moon Bay on its 2020 Local Coastal Land Use Plan Update, which was unanimously certified by the California Coastal Commission in April 2021.
Read MoreVerdict in Chauvin Trial is “First Step Towards Justice”
We breathed a sigh of relief on hearing the results of the Derek Chauvin trial in which he was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. But this verdict underscores the work that remains to be done to dismantle the systemic racism that perpetuates violence on Black and Brown people in this country. We agree with Minnesota Attorney General Ellison: "I would not call today's verdict justice, however, because justice implies...
Read MoreDesigning Cities with Birds and Stargazers in Mind
Cities across California are adopting measures to ensure buildings do not pose threats to bird safety, often pairing these measures with those that reduce sources of nighttime light pollution.
Read MoreOptimizing the Siting and Design of Distributed Energy Resources
Utilities provide integration capacity maps that can help customers and developers optimize the placement of distributed energy resources like solar generation and electric vehicle chargers. The California Public Utilities Commission recently decided to require improvements to the maps, which will unlock new uses that can aid public agencies’ decarbonization efforts.
Read MoreWhen Does Civic Discourse Cross the Line to Harassment?
Public agencies must walk a careful line in trying to police expressions of public opinion, even when members of the public target officials and employees as proxies for their frustration. This article discusses how to keep civic engagement constructive while protecting officials and employees from harassment.
Read MoreSMW Attorneys Recognized Among Top Environmental & Energy Lawyers in the US
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger is honored to announce that twelve of our partners were recently named to Lawdragon News’ inaugural list of the top 500 environmental and energy lawyers in the United States. 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...
Read MoreSMW Stands with AAPI Communities
Racism and violence against people of Asian descent have a long history in this country, as do gender-based violence and attacks on immigrant communities. Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger condemns white supremacy, anti-Asian racism, and sexist and sexual violence against Asian American women. We express solidarity and support members of the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. We further commit to...
Read MoreShute, Mihaly & Weinberger Celebrates New Partners Seph Petta And Edward Schexnayder
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP is proud to announce the addition of two new partners, Joseph “Seph” Petta and Edward Schexnayder. Both attorneys were associates of the firm before joining the partnership. “Seph and Edward have both made significant contributions to our firm’s work since joining our practice. We are thrilled to add them to our partnership,” said Richard S. Taylor, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger’s...
Read MoreEDF, Sierra Club, and Environmental Working Group Sue over Trump EPA’s Evaluation of Dangerous Chemical 1,4-Dioxane
The Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra Club, and Environmental Working Group have filed suit in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s risk evaluation for the dangerous chemical 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen identified as toxic to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The evaluation was issued in the final days of the Trump Administration. 1,4-dioxane has...
Read MoreShute, Mihaly & Weinberger Adds to Growing Chorus of Calls for Pres. Trump’s Removal
Like many of our colleagues in the legal community across the country, we at Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP are alarmed by the mob attack on the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021 and President Trump’s role in spurring on this violent crowd. In response to this disturbing event, our national leadership must take immediate action to reinforce our country’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law. It is in...
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