It takes a seasoned team to navigate the entitlement and development labyrinth, no matter how big or small the project. Morrison & Foerster's lawyers—with experience in California and beyond—are consistently recognized as leaders in the land use and development field.
Our practice encompasses all aspects of site selection, acquisition, permitting, environmental review, financing and regulatory operating requirements. Our objective is to streamline that process while ensuring that projects are defensible against legal challenge, develop efficiently and operate effectively. We have broad experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), planning and zoning laws, development agreements, natural resource permits, subdivision approvals, infrastructure finance and development, and other laws affecting the use and development of real property. Our multidisciplinary team helps companies adapt to, benefit from and influence the shifting legal framework related to climate change and sustainable development. We work proactively to avoid and resolve disputes and—when litigation cannot be avoided—we successfully defend our clients' interests in court.
We have been asked by clients to work on their most complex and challenging development projects, including the iconic 3.1-million-square-foot Apple Campus 2 in Cupertino, California; many of the largest solar and wind projects in the western United States; corporate/R&D campuses for AMPAC, Kaiser, Genentech and Gilead Sciences; and master-plan expansions of the San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and San Diego International Airport.
While we have honed our skills advising on and defending our clients' megaprojects, we are well-poised to add value to smaller projects and startups as well. We understand the importance of listening to our clients and effectively managing legal services, including budgeting. Our team is a one-stop shop for all land use needs, with access to resources and strengths that cannot be found at other firms.