Fighting climate change through sensible, aggressive requirements for vehicle emissions in California and across the nation.

Contributing author to the Rutter Group's California Practice Guide, Administrative Law, with an emphasis on administrative rulemaking, open meetings, and the California Public Records Act.

Assisted the Energy Commission in fighting climate change and protecting our national security by reducing our use of fossil fuels through aggressive and sensible efficiency standards for buildings and appliances. Represented the Commission and defended its actions and interests before the Legislature and in the courts.

Led the largest section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, and served in all capacities on its Board. Managed revision of by-laws, tracked funds,developed unified theme for and scheduled topical presentations for professional development meetings, and conducted election.

Resolved and litigated disputes under federal and state environmental, eminent domain, land use, construction and real estate law. Particular matters included serving as second chair in a 3-week eminent domain bench trial. Prepared and argued complex briefs and motions, examined (and deposed) witnesses, handled exhibits and filings, conducted discovery and contributed to the litigation strategy. In tandem multi-party CERCLA cost recovery actions in federal court and before an administrative tribunal, effectively handled two significant components of the case. Drafted legal briefs and memoranda, assisted in developing the litigation strategy, deposed numerous witnesses and reviewed voluminous documents.In other matters, assisted in: defending a city's CEQA determination; a county's enforcement of the Land Conservation Act; and defending against a mechanics' lien claim.Recognized for pro bono work, assisting in representing the victim of a predatory lending claim who lost her home. The victim was able to recover her lost equity.Represented and counseled clients on various legal issues, including the Subdivision Map Act, Prevailing Wage Act, WARN Act, private attorney general statute, public records act, development impact fees and exactions, development and other agreements, defective construction, code enforcement and purchase agreements.Drafted pleadings, briefs and memoranda, prepared and argued complex motions, took and defended depositions, prepared and responded to written discovery and negotiated with opposing counsel.

Assisted Justice Kelly in all stages of opinion writing, and wrote statements and memoranda to the Court. This included drafting opinions on eminent domain and environmental law. In particular, assisted Justice Kelly in her consideration of Michigan's landmark eminent domain case, Wayne County v. Hathcock. This case, addressing the limits of the takings power under the Michigan Constitution, held that the power of eminent domain may not be used to simply transfer private property to a different private owner for a "better" private use. The Michigan Supreme Court reached the opposite conclusion in Hathcock as the widely-criticized U.S. Supreme Court case of Kelo v. City of New London, which upheld under the U.S. Constitution the power of condemnation to acquire and convey private property to another private entity as a public use or purpose.

Conducted research and prepared memoranda on a variety of legal issues in the Litigation, Corporate & Finance, and Complex Dispute Resolution practice groups. He received an offer for a permanent associate position.

Assisted in first development and implementation in Michigan of an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System at a coal-fired electric generating facility. Interpreted regulations, developed compliance programs, and conducted audits. Prepared and negotiated environmental permit applications.

Investigated and resolved civil and criminal non-compliance with air quality regulations, in cooperation with legal and field staff. Provided regulatory interpretations and developed compliance programs. Developed agency procedures and policies. Conducted engineering reviews of permit applications.

Managed employees and conducted sales of commercial cleaning business. Tripled annual sales.