Wendel Rosen’s public agency practice members work with counties, municipalities, transportation agencies, regulatory agencies and various other public and quasi-public entities. Frequently serving as general or special counsel, the attorneys of this practice are experienced working with these types of clients, which often have unique needs based on their public accountability and procedural requirements.
With knowledge of public budget and funding issues, political sensitivities, and public reporting and recordkeeping procedures, the attorneys are able to navigate public projects through complex legal and bureaucratic processes.
Wendel Rosen represents several public entities in complex condemnation matters involving partial and full acquisitions for highway projects, redevelopment agencies, street widenings and other public projects.
Some specific areas undertaken by these attorneys include:
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Redevelopment and real estate
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Land use and development matters
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CEQA and NEPA documentation and litigation
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Eminent domain and condemnation
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Taxation issues
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General agency issues (Brown Act, FPPC, statutory authority)
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Public works construction
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Transportation funding and planning
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Hazardous materials, compliance regulation and litigation
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Employment law
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Contracts, leases and licenses
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Obtained significant settlement for governmental agency against manufacturer of defective roadway material.
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Resolved numerous eminent domain cases for a public entity on favorable terms involving complex acquisitions for grade separation projects affecting access, circulation and parking.
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Defeated within thirty days a lawsuit against the public agencies involved in a major public transportation project to the south bay, which sought to stop the project’s funding, saving the agencies considerable litigation costs and allowing the project to secure funding and begin construction.
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Represented a Northern California county in numerous transactions disposing of surplus properties, including the sale of a 30-acre parcel to private developers for an auto mall, which included access easements and other documentation related to the sale.
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Represented a California city in the subdivision of a city-owned garage and retail development in downtown. Following the subdivision, the city sold the retail portion of the development to a private party, while retaining the parking garage. Representation included advising the city of the subdivision process, overseeing the subdivision of the property and preparing covenants, conditions and restrictions for the property.
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Instrumental in the approval of the exchange and sale of Port of Oakland public trust land to Oakland Harbor Partners, LLC. The $35 million development will support a mixed-use residential development of more than 3,000 units of market-rate and affordable rental and for-sale housing, 200,000 square feet of retail and commercial space and two new marinas. The transaction includes finding exchange parcels, conducting the necessary negotiations and the passage of precedent-setting legislation to facilitate the deal.
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News
Wendel Rosen’s Amara Morrison Appointed to Bay Planning Coalition Board of Directors
10/10/2019 | Wendel Rosen
Amara Morrison, a land use partner with Wendel Rosen LLP, the largest law firm in the East Bay representing businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and state, has been…
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Wendel Rosen’s Patricia Curtin and Amara Morrison Named Real Estate Forum “Women of Influence”
07/09/2019
Wendel Rosen LLP, the largest law firm in the East Bay representing businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and state, congratulates Land Use Partners Patricia E. Curtin and Amara…
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