Overview

For more than four decades, Tina Thomas has built a reputation as one of California’s foremost environmental and land use attorneys, consistently achieving success for her clients. She is skilled in navigating environmental and entitlement processes, representing a broad spectrum of clients including property owners, developers, governmental agencies, trade associations, and environmental organizations.

Tina’s approach is driven by a steadfast commitment to balancing economic and environmental considerations in every case she handles. Her influence extends beyond legal practice, actively shaping land use legislation and its interpretation. She was a principal contributor to the Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act, an authoritative reference widely used in legal and academic circles. Moreover, Tina played a key role in the passage of California Senate Bill 375, which promotes smart growth and sustainable development practices.

Tina is dedicated to the Sacramento community, where she is actively involved in pro bono legal work. One of her most significant achievements was defending Loaves and Fishes, an organization that aids people experiencing homelessness, against serious permit violation claims from the City of Sacramento. Her advocacy led to a favorable resolution, ensuring the organization could continue its mission. Similarly, her work with Cottage Housing and Serna Village has helped sustain vital support services for homeless and transitional populations.

Tina’s philanthropic efforts extend to several local organizations, where she donates both time and resources. She supports Wind Youth Center, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, John Burton Advocates for Youth, WEAVE, and Union Gospel Mission, among others.

Education

University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., 1979

Stephens College, B.A., 1975

Admissions

California

Experience

Representative Projects

  • Represented sports arena management company throughout the administrative process at the trial court and the appellate court.
  • Represented grocery store throughout the administrative and appellant process.
  • Assisted regional transportation and land use planning agency over the course of a two-year administrative process leading to the approval of its first Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS) and certification of the associated Program Environmental Impact Report for the plan in 2012. No litigation was filed challenging the MTP/SCS approval. The agency’s second SCS was adopted in 2016, and no litigation was filed. Recently, the agency approved its third MTP. A CEQA challenge is pending in the Sacramento County Superior Court.
  • Assisted transportation commission during the three-year administrative process leading to approval of the MTP and certification of an Environmental Impact Report. Successfully represented commission in litigation challenging both Plan approval and EIR certification. Of the four lawsuits that were filed, two were settled and the commission prevailed on the other two. In 2017, the agency approved its second MTP/SCS and no litigation was filed. The agency’s third MTP/SCS is currently underway.
  • Represented prior residential and retail project applicant during the administrative permitting process and successfully secured the appropriate land use entitlements and EIR certification for the project. Successfully defended project approvals in litigation, filed by Environmental Council of Sacramento.

Published Decisions

  • Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters v. City of Los Angeles (2022) 76 Cal.App.5th 1154
  • Coalition for an Equitable Westlake/MacArthur Park v. City of Los Angeles (2020) 47 Cal.App.5th 368
  • Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish & Wildlife (2017) 17 Cal.App.5th 1245
  • Mission Bay Alliance v. Office of Community Investment & Infrastructure (2016) 6 Cal.App.5th 160
  • East Sacramento Partnerships for a Livable City v. City of Sacramento (2016) 5 Cal.App.5th 281
  • Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2016) 1 Cal.App.5th 452
  • Bay Area Citizens v. Association of Bay Area Governments (2016) 248 Cal.App.4th 966
  • Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2015) 62 Cal.4th 204

North Coast Rivers Alliance v. Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors (2013) 216 Cal.App.4th 614

  • Pocket Protectors v. City of Sacramento (2004) 124 Cal.App.4th 903
  • Riverwatch v. County of San Diego (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 1428
  • Chaparral Greens v. City of Chula Vista (1996) 50 Cal.App.4th 1134
  • Western States Petroleum Association v. Superior Court (1995) 9 Cal.4th 559
  • Sacramento County v. Local Agency Formation Commission (1992) 3 Cal.4th 903
  • City of Sacramento v. State Water Resources Control Board (1992) 2 Cal.App.4th 960
  • Oro Fino Gold Mining Corp. v. County of El Dorado (1990) 225 Cal.App.3d 872
  • Citizens of Goleta Valley v. Board of Supervisors (1990) 52 Cal.3d 553
  • Baily v. County of El Dorado (1985) 162 Cal.App.3d 94
  • Environmental Planning and Information Council v. Superior Court (1984) 36 Cal.3d 188
  • Environmental Council of Sacramento v. County of Sacramento (1982) 135 Cal.App.3d 428
  • Environmental Planning and Information Council v. County of El Dorado (1982) 131 Cal.App.3d 350
  • Perley v. County of Calaveras (1982) 137 Cal.App.3d 424
  • Rural Landowners Association v. City of Lodi (1982) 143 Cal.App.3d 1013
  • Sutter Sensible Planning, Inc. v. County of Sutter (1981) 122 Cal.App.3d 813

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • “California Policy Seminar Releases Comprehensive Evaluation of CEQA,” Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) Land Use Forum, Volume 5, Number 2, Spring 1996
  • Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act, Co-Author, 1987
  • California Land Use, Co-Author of Chapters on CEQA and NEPA, 1984

Recognition

  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning), 2008–present
  • Super Lawyers, Northern California Super Lawyers, Environmental, Land Use/Zoning, 2005-2024
  • Listed in SacTown Magazine (formerly Sacramento Magazine) as a Top Lawyer, Energy & Natural Resources, Environmental, 2024
  • Cottage Housing, Beacon of Hope Honoree, 2012

Affiliations

Professional

  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Member, 1981–present
  • California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section, Member, 1979–present
  • Women Lawyers of Sacramento, Member, 1982–present

Civic

  • She Shares, 2012–present
  • The Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, Advisory Committee Member, 2017–present
  • John Burton Advocates for Youth, Board of Directors, 2006–present
  • Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Member Emeritus, 1989–present
  • Meristem, Board Member, 2018–present
  • Steinberg Institute, Chair of the Board, 2018–present
  • Loaves & Fishes, Pro Bono Counsel, 1995–present
Jump to Page