Dustin D. Peterson

Dustin Peterson is a results-driven attorney dedicated to assisting private and public sector clients in finding innovative and efficient solutions to complex environmental and land use challenges. Dustin’s practice primarily focuses on land use and planning, with extensive experience in various related matters and entitlements, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), the Density Bonus Law, the Public Records Act, and both the federal and state Endangered Species Acts. With a deep understanding of state and federal law, Dustin takes a strategic approach to helping clients navigate and resolve diverse environmental and land use issues. If a project is litigated, Dustin is a fierce advocate for clients and has experience defending projects in both the California Superior Court as well as the California Court of Appeal.

Education

University of California at Davis School of Law, J.D., 2021

California State University, Fresno, B.A., Philosophy, 2018, summa cum laude

Admissions

California

• Successfully defended a CEQA lawsuit challenging a city’s approval of a 120-unit residential development under CEQA’s Class 32 Infill Exemption.
• Prevailed in defense of a CEQA lawsuit challenging a city’s finding that a road maintenance project was exempt from environmental review.
• Assisted in advising construction contracting company through local agency permitting requirements, including environmental review, for a major roadway rehabilitation project.
• Conducted environmental due diligence review regarding environmental liability for a large solar power facility.
• Contributed to helping a volunteer hospice for the unhoused navigate the entitlements process.
• Assisted in drafting a request for publication, which was granted by the California Court of Appeal.
• Assisted in conducting extensive environmental document review, drafting of litigation materials including considerable motion practice, and coordinating directly with clients in CEQA litigation.
• Assisted in conducting legal research for clients regarding the Housing Accountability Act and the Density Bonus law.

Insights & Presentations

• “Western Burrowing Owl Named California Endangered Species Act Candidate Species,” California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, December 2024
• “San Francisco Bay-Delta Population of Longfin Smelt Listed as Endangered Under the Federal Endangered Species Act,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, August/September 2024
• “California Public Utilities Commission Proposes to Implement Fixed Income-Based Electricity Charges to Pay for Infrastructure and Operational Costs,” California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, May 2024
• “District Court Finds U.S. Forest Service Failed to Adequately Address Environmental Impacts From Amendments to Tree-Removal Standards in National Forests,” Environmental, Energy, & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, November 2023
• “Ninth Circuit Finds FAA Failed to Take Requisite ‘Hard Look’ Under NEPA at Noise Impacts From Airport Terminal Replacement Project,” Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, May 2023

• SacTown Magazine (formerly Sacramento Magazine), Top Lawyer, Land Use/Zoning, 2024–present
• King Hall Environmental Law Certificate, 2021
• King Hall Public Service Law Program Certificate, 2021
• Jun Aoki Book Award, 2021
• Michael H. Remy Memorial Scholarship, 2020
• Academic Excellence Award in Lawyering Process, 2019

Professional

• Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
• California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
• UC Davis Environmental Law Society, 2018–2021