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In recent years, a series of powerful housing laws have been passed by the California legislature to restrict local agencies from delaying, downsizing, or rejecting housing development projects. These measures aim to enhance the enforceability of key statutes, such as the California Housing Accountability Act (HAA) and the Housing Crisis Act (SB330). The overall objective is to begin to address the state-wide housing crisis by streamlining the approval process for new housing projects while simultaneously curbing a local agencies ability to obstruct the permitting process.

JMBM’s Government, Land Use, Environment and Energy Department recently hosted a webinar detailing how to use these new laws to expedite a project’s entitlement process, to increase density, and tools developers can use to limit a local agency’s ability to delay or deny a project.

The online workshop reviewed key new housing laws, including the HAA, SB330, AB 2011, and State Density Bonus Laws. It also highlighted what every housing developer needs to know to ensure their project gets maximum protection under the new housing laws.

Whether you’re a seasoned housing developer or just stepping into the industry, this workshop provides essential insights into the laws shaping the future of housing projects.

Click here to watch the recorded session.

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Los Angeles—Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM) is pleased to announce it has been ranked as a Los Angeles Metropolitan Tier 1 2019 “Best Law Firm” for Land Use & Zoning Law by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. This distinction is achieved by capturing the consensus opinion of clients and professional references about the abilities of the firm.

“We have assembled some of the most talented and experienced lawyers who specialize in land use and zoning and are extremely grateful to be awarded this recognition,” said Ben Reznik, Chair of JMBM’s Government, Land Use, Environmental & Energy Group. “Our goal has always been to provide exceptional service and to emphasize the success and priorities of our clients.”

Additionally, JMBM earned a National Tier 1 ranking for its Trusts and Estate practice, and numerous Metropolitan Tier 1 rankings across all three of its offices including:

Los Angeles: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense – White-Collar, Litigation – Trusts & Estates, Tax Law, Trademark Law, Trusts & Estates Law

Orange County: Litigation – Patent

San Francisco: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy, Mediation

The “Best Law Firms’ rankings follow the recent 2019 edition of Best Lawyers in America in which 19 JMBM attorneys were recognized.

About JMBM’s Government, Land Use, Environment and Energy Department
JMBM’s government, land use, environment, and energy lawyers represent a wide range of industries, businesses, trade groups and individuals before every level of government, and in litigation. We routinely advocate for our clients’ interests before the myriad of regulatory authorities, administrative agencies and elected bodies that govern business and development activities. Our negotiation expertise and lobbying experience includes representing clients seeking to locate and develop new sites, relocate, expand operations, and all related permitting and compliance.

About Best Law Firms
The Best Law Firms designation is based on a rigorous process that includes client and lawyer evaluations, and peer review from leading lawyers. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be ranked for inclusion. Firms are evaluated on expertise, responsiveness, understanding clients’ businesses and needs, cost-effectiveness, integrity and a number of other factors. For more information see bestlawfirms.usnews.com.

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Ben Reznik
Christine Essel, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA/LA), was the featured speaker at a recent JMBM “Business Issues Forum” hosted by Ben Reznik. Ms. Essel has taken command of an agency whose governing board she chaired in the 1990s. She brings with her 30 years experience in planning and development as senior vice president at Paramount Studios where she also served as the senior vice president of Government and Community Affairs. The following is a brief summary of Ms. Essel’s remarks:

As I see it, the challenge in this new assignment is to root out dysfunctionality in an agency which is viewed as being unfriendly. It appears to be a good time to undertake this process, because we’re seeing limited development in our spheres of influence which provides an opportunity to evaluate our role. We are dealing with a “good news/ bad news” scenario. The good news is CRA/LA still has $700 million in the bank! The bad news is that with most development on hold, our revenue stream — which relies on tax increment financing — has been significantly curtailed. Additionally, the State is taking $85 million from our budget this year. We are also in the process of reducing our 261 member staff through early retirement. We expect 40 senior staff to be leaving by January 1, 2011.
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