Stoel Rives Boosts Land Use and Environmental Practice with Team of Seven Lawyers in California 

SAN FRANCISCO & SACRAMENTO—Stoel Rives, an AmLaw 200 law firm, today announced the addition of seven attorneys to its Land Use and Environmental practice. The group brings notable experience in land use and environmental regulation, compliance, and litigation. The team includes four leading California land use attorneys—partners Kathryn Oehlschlager, Christian Marsh, Amy Higuera and of counsel Tina Thomas—and three associates—Samuel Bacal-Graves, Dustin Peterson, and Breana Inoshita—who join across Stoel’s Sacramento and San Francisco offices. The group reunites with seven environmental lawyers who moved to Stoel Rives from Downey Brand last fall.

“We are thrilled to welcome this team to the firm; they are an accomplished team with proven track records as leaders in California environmental and land use law,” said David Filippi, Chair of Stoel Rives’ Environmental Practice. “Their deep natural resources and land use law knowledge, combined with their litigation experience, complement our nationally recognized environmental and energy practices and significantly enhance our ability to address clients’ evolving needs. Expanding our land use practice in California aligns with our strategic growth and commitment to providing premier legal counsel to our clients with projects and operations in the state.”

Tina Thomas brings more than 40 years of experience to the firm’s Sacramento office. Thomas is widely recognized as one of the state’s foremost authorities on environmental and land use law. Her practice centers on environmental and entitlement processes, representing property owners, developers, builders, governmental agencies, trade associations and environmental organizations.

Thomas’ influence extends beyond her extensive legal practice. She was a principal author of the Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the definitive reference on CEQA and an essential resource for practitioners, policymakers and students alike. Her impact on environmental policy is further exemplified by her instrumental role in the passage of California Senate Bill 375, which promotes smart growth and infill development. Thomas earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego Law School and her B.A. from Stephens College.

“We are honored to welcome Tina to Stoel Rives,” said Firm Managing Partner Melissa Jones. “Her longstanding leadership in California environmental and land use law will be an invaluable asset to our clients and our firm.”

Partner Kathryn Oehlschlager joins the San Francisco office. Her California environmental and land use practice focuses on compliance and litigation for public and private clients. Her experience includes managing matters regulated under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and federal and state endangered species laws. She has advised clients on contaminated site remediation, water quality and supply issues, solid and hazardous waste, and high-stakes litigation of land use and environmental cases. Oehlschlager earned her J.D. cum laude from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and earned her B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles.

“Stoel Rives’ environmental practice is recognized as a national and California leader. With evolving and complex developments in environmental regulations, our clients will benefit from the depth of experience and trusted counsel that Stoel Rives’ distinguished team provides,” said Oehlschlager. “I am thrilled to be rejoining my former colleagues and welcome the broad capabilities and resources that Stoel Rives offers my clients.”

Returning to Stoel Rives where he spent several formative years as an associate, Partner Christian Marsh joins the San Francisco office. Marsh advises clients on permitting and land use entitlements governing real estate developments, ground and surface water supply projects, renewable and traditional energy facilities, mining operations and processing plants, and port and waterfront developments. With expertise related to endangered species, water rights, the public trust doctrine, and environmental review under NEPA and CEQA, Marsh has successfully litigated numerous cases in trial courts and on appeal, including the California Supreme Court. Prior to entering private practice, Marsh served as an assistant to the Director of the White House Office on Environmental Policy and as a special assistant in the U.S. Department of the Interior.

"I am excited to return to Stoel Rives after nearly 20 years. The legal landscape has evolved but the firm's commitment to excellence remains. With shared clients, complementary practices, and Stoel’s deep bench on energy, water, and natural resources, this is a tremendous opportunity to combine forces and advance the ball for so many of our clients” Marsh explained. “I'm particularly looking forward to reuniting with my former colleagues and partners, who I have long enjoyed and admired.”

Marsh earned his J.D. from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and earned his B.A. in economics and politics from the University of California at Santa Cruz. He serves on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Bay Planning Coalition.

Partner Amy Higuera also joins the firm’s San Francisco office and advises clients on federal and state laws that impact land use in California, including CEQA and a number of laws regulating water, climate protection, endangered species, the subdivision of land, and permitting. She has experience litigating these issues and in providing counsel on highly complex land use and environmental issues and working with clients and stakeholders to develop successful compliance strategies.

Higuera earned her J.D. with distinction and a Certificate in Governmental Affairs from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, and her B.A. in English from the University of California at Davis.

New Associates

The team is joined by three associates; Samuel Bacal-Graves and Dustin Peterson join the Sacramento office and Breana Inoshita joins the San Francisco office. Bacal-Graves works with developers and agencies on entitlements and permitting, environmental compliance, and defending project approvals in litigation. Peterson advises clients on a variety of land use related matters, water supply, and related entitlements. Inoshita handles complex land use and environmental issues and litigation.

Samuel Bacal-Graves earned his J.D. from the University of California at Davis School of Law, and his B.A. in philosophy from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Dustin Peterson earned his J.D. from the University of California at Davis School of Law and his B.A. summa cum laude from California State University, Fresno.  Breana Inoshita earned her J.D. from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She earned her B.S. in community and regional development and a B.A. in Asian American studies from the University of California at Davis.

For more information about Stoel Rives’ Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources group, visit: https://www.stoel.com/capabilities/practices/environment-land-use-natural-resources