Robin Baral has more than a decade of experience practicing land use, environmental, and water law. Robin guides his clients, including private developers and public agencies, through nearly every aspect of the land use planning, development, and entitlement process and the myriad of associated local, state, and federal approvals that are often required for land development and public infrastructure. Robin has extensive experience working with developers and local agencies to negotiate development agreements, process specific plans, complex entitlement packages, and conduct environmental reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). He is also adept at harnessing recent changes to the State Planning and Zoning Law to expedite permitting and development approvals.Robin has worked with clients on planning, permitting, and public financing of projects totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars, such as groundwater and surface water treatment plants, solar and wind energy facilities, wastewater treatment plants, water bottling facilities, rail trans-loading facilities, and waste disposal facilities. Robin's environmental expertise is focused on helping clients develop permitting strategies for new and emerging technologies. He is particularly skilled at providing strategic counsel in response to state legislative and regulatory mandates, ranging from housing policies to water management, waste disposal, and recycling requirements.His substantial knowledge in public finance compliments his practice specialty well. Robin works well with clients and bond counsel to establish tax and financing solutions while assisting with the review of rate-making proceedings, voter-approved taxes, the adoption of impact fees, and more.

Counseled public and private entities in the areas of land use, environmental regulatory compliance, and water infrastructure and long-term planning.

Represented cities, special districts and private entities in processing land use entitlements, defending water rights, and in obtaining approvals for industrial and renewable energy projects.

Represented industrial operators and public agencies facing complex land use matters, regulatory proceedings and environmental litigation.

Assisted deputy attorneys in litigation under the Public Rights Division, Environment Section.

Represented financial institutions in real estate and banking litigation, and corporate and transactional matters.

Supported deputy attorneys by performing legal research, drafting motions and assisting with preparation for trial and appellate court; Attended public hearings and closed meetings on behalf of state-agency clients, such as the California Coastal Commission.

Researched matters and drafted memoranda regarding land use entitlements, real estate finance, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance and litigation. Worked directly under managing partners on several high-profile environmental lawsuits defending The Regents of the University of California and UC Berkeley.