Manatt, Phelps Phillips, LLP, announced that Kristina D. Lawson has
joined the San Francisco office as a partner in the Real Estate and Land
Use practice. Lawson comes to the firm from Miller Starr Regalia, where
she was a shareholder.

Lawson has substantial experience in obtaining land use entitlements and
permits from local, state and federal agencies for real estate and
energy projects, and has a sophisticated understanding of matters
involving the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Additionally, Lawson has
extensive environmental compliance experience and frequently serves as
an advisor to public and private clients on water quality, air quality,
hazardous materials, and other regulatory matters. More recently, her
practice has focused on climate change-related matters, including those
related to AB 32, SB 375, the Bay Area Air Quality District’s CEQA
Guidelines, and the San Francisco Bay Plan.

“Kristina has worked on significant land use projects throughout
California, including a wide variety of residential, commercial, retail
and mixed-use projects. She is known as an adaptable and creative
thinker – key qualities in the land use entitlement and real estate
space – and someone who can successfully complete challenging projects,”
said Susan K. Hori, co-chair of Manatt’s Real Estate and Land Use
practice group. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”

Lawson regularly appears before state and local agencies throughout the
Bay Area and California on behalf of private clients. In addition, she
often serves as special counsel to public agencies on complex land use
and environmental matters, including matters involving California’s
tidelands trust, and emergency water supply projects.

“Structuring a real estate project has become increasingly complex due
to increasing economic, political and regulatory challenges,”
said Clayton B. Gantz, co-administrative partner of the San Francisco
office. “Manatt’s Real Estate and Land Use practice is nationally
recognized for delivering successful projects from conception to
acquisition to disposition, and Kristina’s talents and experience
provide additional depth to help us help our clients achieve their
objectives in Northern California.”

Lawson’s broad advisory and advocacy practice focuses on all aspects of
California land use and environmental law, from the interpretation and
application of local General Plans, specific plans, and zoning
ordinances, to local land use initiatives and referenda, to state and
federal natural resources, air, and water law.

“Manatt has a well-deserved reputation for excellence and a true
commitment to land use and environmental law,” said Lawson. “I am
excited to join Manatt’s prominent national real estate land use
practice.”

A frequent author and lecturer, Lawson is an elected member of the
Walnut Creek City Council, and is an appointed member of the TRANSPAC
Board of Directors, in Contra Costa County.

Lawson earned a B.A. from the University of Arizona and a J.D., cum laude,
from Santa Clara University School of Law.

About Manatt, Phelps Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation’s leading law
firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles,
Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New
York City and Albany) and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a
sophisticated client base – including Fortune 500, middle-market and
emerging companies – across a range of practice areas and industry
sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.

Manatt, Phelps Phillips, LLP
Lawrence Martinez, (310) 231-5443
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Article source: http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/11/08/b1826726/manatt-expands-real-estate-and-land-use-practice-in-northern-california