Lori Anne Dolqueist, Steve Kaufmann and Robert Thornton Recognized as “Lawyers of the Year”

Lori Anne Dolqueist, Steve Kaufmann and Robert Thornton were recently recognized as “Lawyers of the Year” in their practice areas and regions for 2022 by Best Lawyers in America. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a “Lawyer of the Year” award. 

Lori was recognized in the San Francisco region as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Utilities Law category. Her practice focuses on water, energy, transportation and telecommunications regulatory matters before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). She is experienced in representing clients in utility mergers and acquisitions, rate cases, investigations, rulemakings and other aspects of state and federal regulation. Lori has expertise in California utility regulatory matters, with particular focus on matters involving water utilities, and has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, NPR and CNBC.com regarding California utility issues.

Steve was recognized in the Los Angeles region as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Land Use and Zoning Law category. He has more than four decades of experience representing the California Coastal Commission and landowners, developers, public entities and public utilities on matters before that agency. His work has involved a broad array of Coastal Commission administrative matters, as well as a substantial amount of litigation involving challenges to, or defense of, Commission decisions. Steve’s expertise includes every aspect of California coastal regulation including coastal development permits, appeals, federal consistency certification review and appeals to the Secretary of Commerce, exemptions, local coastal programs, port master plans, public works plans, enforcement, and legislation, as well as related local entitlements and compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Robert was recognized in the Orange County region as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Land Use and Zoning Law category. He advises state and regional infrastructure authorities on environmental issues regarding large infrastructure projects. He has successfully defended more than $12 billion in regional infrastructure improvements against federal and state environmental challenges. His work is well respected by his colleagues and clients who have ranked him among the nation’s top environmental lawyers.

Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Its 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.