Overview
Steve Kaufmann is one of the foremost Coastal land use lawyers in California. He has more than four decades of experience representing the California Coastal Commission and landowners, developers, public entities and public utilities with 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).
He has a track record for producing successful results for clients on a host of projects involving complex energy or transportation issues; wetlands, environmentally sensitive habitat and other habitat-related issues; golf courses, marinas, traditional hotels, timeshares and condominium hotels; residences, subdivisions, and commercial uses; and public agency projects. Prior to entering private practice, Steve spent from 1977 to 1991 at the California Attorney General’s office, representing the California Coastal Commission, as well as other state agencies, including the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, California State Lands Commission, and State Department of Fish and Wildlife.