Avoid procedural errors and common CEQA mistakes;

Maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the CEQA process;

Formulate well‑grounded and practical solutions to the business and policy problems caused by CEQA’s ambiguities; and

Minimize the risk of a CEQA lawsuit and increase the likelihood of prevailing if litigation is unavoidable.

SACRAMENTO RAIL YARDS

A 240‑acre redevelopment project recognized as one of the nation’s largest brownfield urban infill redevelopment projects.  The plan proposes to convert former railyards to 12,5000 residential units, 2.3 million square feet of office uses, and 1.8 million square feet of retail.  The firm represented the developer through the CEQA process, and successfully defended the project against four CEQA lawsuits.

TULARE ETHANOL FACILITY

Pioneer Law Group’s attorneys served as land use and CEQA counsel to obtain a use permit for a Tulare County ethanol plant involving complex technical issues related to air and water quality, and successfully defended the entitlements in CEQA litigation.  The timely completion and successful defense of the project’s environmental review enabled the developer to establish a leadership position in the ethanol market.

SONOMA COUNTY QUARRY

The firm’s attorneys represented an aggregate mining company through the CEQA process and in litigation to obtain and defend entitlements for expansion of the company’s existing quarry.  The lawsuit challenging the project’s CEQA document alleged that the EIR was deficient on various issues, including diesel emissions and the baseline condition, and also raised zoning issues.  The firm’s attorneys successfully defended the client’s entitlements by prevailing at the trial level, and thereafter settling the litigation during the appeal process.

SACRAMENTO SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING FACILITY

The firm’s attorneys represented a solid waste handling company as land use and CEQA counsel to obtain entitlements for expansion of an existing materials recovery facility.  The project was unanimously approved and community outreach avoided CEQA litigation.

YUBA CITY SPECIFIC PLAN

As lead land use and CEQA counsel for the developer, the firm’s attorneys processed entitlements for a Yuba City specific plan and thereafter successfully defended both the project approval and a highly controversial decision to place a Supercenter on the site.

ROCKLIN RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION

The firm’s attorneys served as land use and CEQA counsel for an approximately 175‑unit subdivision that was opposed by the adjacent city.  We settled the case expeditiously on favorable terms for our client, which is representative of Pioneer Law Group’s focus on our clients’ needs for effective, business‑minded counsel.

NAPA VALLEY VINEYARD

The firm represents members of the wine industry in land use and environmental matters, and its attorneys served as CEQA counsel for review of a notable winery’s Napa vineyard expansion project.  Through our outreach to stakeholders in the environmental community, we were able to expeditiously permit the project and avoid litigation.

PETROLEUM TANK RELOCATION

Represented a petroleum business in relocating tank facilities at the Port of Sacramento, including providing CEQA counsel.

HEART CENTER EXPANSION

Served as lead CEQA counsel in successful permitting process for a highly controversial hospital expansion in the City of Sacramento, which included close coordination with the lead agency and consultants to resolve environmental issues and avoid litigation delays.  The project’s CEQA document was not challenged in court.

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