Amy R. Higuera

Amy Higuera has successfully represented numerous clients in achieving favorable results in environmental law and land use entitlement matters.

She adds to the land use group’s depth of experience with the California Environmental Quality Act, among many other federal and state laws that define the complex and changing body of California land use law. Specifically, her practice includes representation and litigation involving CEQA, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Government Reorganization Act of 2000, the Subdivision Map Act, the California Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the federal Endangered Species Act and the federal Clean Water Act provisions associated with wetlands permitting. Amy also has experience representing real estate developers with the acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate, including due diligence title and zoning compliance review, as well as drafting and negotiating commercial leases.

Amy has worked closely with local government and regulatory agency staff to ensure environmental compliance, as well as with private developers to secure land use entitlements. She has experience providing counsel on highly complex land use and environmental issues and working with clients and stakeholders to develop successful compliance strategies. She has worked closely with metropolitan planning organizations during their environmental review process for the combined regional transportation plans and sustainable communities strategies required under Senate Bill 375. Working in collaboration with cities, counties, and stakeholder groups, these plans include initiatives to expand housing and transportation choices and build stronger regional economies, while achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets, and providing streamlining benefits for consistent development projects.