Nossaman Recognized for Infrastructure, Environment, Renewable Energy and Eminent Domain Work

Nossaman was recognized by The Legal 500 in four practice categories for 2024, including “Energy: Renewable/Alternative Power,” “Environment: Litigation,” “Land Use/Zoning” and “Project Finance.”

Energy: Renewable/Alternative Power: Nossaman is highlighted for fielding a team that is the “go-to legal partner for various clients in the renewable energy sector – encompassing wind and solar developers, national utilities and tax investors – advising on a range of due diligence, permitting and environmental issues, including permitting and compliance challenges under significant regulations such as the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Clean Water Act.” Accolades are given to Svend Brandt-Erichsen for his advisory services on “permitting, compliance and regulatory development matters in both federal and state courts” and Brooke Marcus for her “expertise as a renewable energy specialist, providing invaluable support in natural resources and environmental aspects for renewable project financing.” Rebecca Hays Barho is recognized for “her substantial contributions to the preparation and negotiation of numerous habitat conservation plans.” Additionally, Ben Rubin is mentioned for his work in the area and Paul Weiland is called “an expert in environmental permitting, regulatory affairs and litigation matters spanning California and nationwide.”

Environment: Litigation: Nossaman is noted for working with a “spread of public agencies, publicly regulated utilities companies, corporations and non-profit organizations” and for our “ability to handle the gamut of environmental disputes and litigation work, including hazardous waste, air quality, natural resource damages and endangered species.” The publication goes on to highlight the role of Environmental & Land Use Group Chair Ben Rubin, who it states, “navigates land use issues” and Water Group Chair Alfred Smith II, who it says, “is an expert in water rights law.” Additionally, the publication commends Paul Weiland for dealing with “construction claims and disputes litigation” and says Robert Thornton “is a name to note for environmental issues arising from infrastructure projects.” Lastly, Brooke Marcus is praised for being “noteworthy for her practice, which encompasses both natural resources and land use law.” Svend Brandt-Erichsen and Liz Klebaner are also noted.

Land Use/Zoning: The Legal 500 mentioned that our team has “experience representing public agencies in extensive eminent domain and valuation cases…and draws on firmwide strengths in environmental and infrastructure matters to act on a wide range of land use and entitlement matters, including pre-condemnation planning, permit approvals and associated litigation in both state and federal courts.” Brad Kuhn – chair of our Eminent Domain & Valuation Group – is ranked as a “Leading Lawyer” in the category and noted for his focus “on the zoning, construction and environmental aspects of complex real estate developments and [his] demonstrable record of acting for clients in real estate litigation.” David Graeler is lauded for “frequently representing private and public sector clients in areas such as real estate, eminent domain and construction.” Chris Kramer is also noted.

Project Finance: Our Infrastructure Group is recognized for being a “popular choice for state agencies who rely on their deep-founded financing, procurement and development expertise.” Additionally, the team is noted for its acumen when “complex transport mandates continually come to the fore” and for being “geared to act on both traditional infrastructure such as toll roads, bridges and airports, as well as new and emerging assets such as electric bus maintenance and storage facilities.” Elizabeth Cousins – chair of the Infrastructure Group – is highlighted for her “practice that involves P3s, design-build contracts and inter-agency agreements, with matters spanning utilities, transport and social infrastructure.” Corey Boock’s representation of “private sponsors and contractors alongside an extensive list of regional and local transport agencies” is called out, and Andrée Blais’ focus “on the procurement and contracting aspect of large-scale PPP projects” is also mentioned. Geoffrey Yarema is said to provide “transport-specific acumen” and Shant Boyajian “comes recommended” by individuals in the field.