Best Lawyers in California, United States for Land Use and Zoning Law
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Cities
Geoff Robinson focuses his practice on land use, development and real estate litigation. He represents clients in civil and administrative proceedings involving planning and zoning laws, CEQA, development fees and exactions, and public facilities financing. He is an authority on writs of mandate in the trial court and is co-author of the treatise California Administrative Mandamus (CEB, 3rd Ed. 2020) and other publications on civil writ practice. He also has substantial experience in the area...
Gregory B. Caligari is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Gregory B., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mitchell B. Menzer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Mitchell B., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mitchell B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Nicholas William Targ is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. Nicholas William, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rachel B. Horsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Rachel B., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rachel B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
James M. Rishwain, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. James M., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Morgan L. Gallagher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Morgan L., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Morgan L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Hans Van Ligten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Hans, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Hans is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sigrid Waggener is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Sigrid, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sigrid is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David has over twenty-five years of land use and environmental law experience. His practice focuses on CEQA, climate change, development agreements, discretionary permits and entitlements, infrastructure agreements, public-private partnerships, subdivisions, zoning, environmental regulatory compliance, CERCLA, RCRA, and Proposition 65. David regularly appears before planning commissions, city councils, and other federal, state, and local government agencies on land use and regulatory matters....
Margo N. Bradish is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Margo N., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Margo N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Andrew B. Sabey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. Andrew B., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Douglas J. Dennington is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Douglas J., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Skillfully navigates complex and controversial development and infrastructure projects. More than 25 years of experience helping clients accomplish their land use, environmental law and litigation goals. Significant experience in CEQA matters. Diane offers her clients—developers, investors, cities and other private sector clients—land use and environmental law counsel, as well as proven litigation skills. With a deep understanding of public agency administrative processes, she str...
David Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. David, who practices law in Brea, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.