Homeless Encampments: Constitutional and Practical Concerns
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger’s newest partner, René A. Ortega, gave a presentation this past month at the 2022 Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. In his talk, titled “Homeless Encampments En Nuestras Comunidades: Navigating Constitutional and Practical Concerns,” Rene and his co-panelists, Mindy Mitchell of Homebase and Mandy Chapman Semple of Clutch […]
Land Trust Best Practices Presented at National Conference
At the Land Trust Alliance’s annual national conference in New Orleans, SMW firm members Sarah Sigman and Tamara Galanter shared their expertise with land trusts and others in the conservation community. Sarah presented on best practices for preparing the baseline reports that document the condition of the conservation property at the time the landowner enters […]
In Memoriam: Jonas Minton, True Friend of the Firm
Jonas Minton, Director of the Planning and Conservation League’s (PCL) water program for two decades, passed away suddenly on June 22. Jonas worked tirelessly on water issues in California, applying thoughtful, methodical pressure to help build science-driven consensus on water use in the Delta, the Monterey Peninsula, and elsewhere. His work brought transparency and open […]
René Alejandro Ortega Joins Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger as New Partner
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger is pleased to announce that René Alejandro Ortega has joined the firm as a new Partner. “We are so pleased to have René join us here at Shute, Mihaly,” said Richard S. Taylor, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger’s managing partner. “With his expertise in municipal law, housing, land use, and litigation, Rene […]
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger Welcomes New Urban Planner Kristi Bascom
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger is pleased to announce the addition of a new urban planner, Kristi Bascom. “Kristi is a fantastic addition to our firm,” said Richard S. Taylor, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger’s managing partner. “She brings expertise in public agency planning, CEQA, and affordable housing. We are lucky to have her on the team.” […]
Overturning Roe v. Wade Affects All of Us
The Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and called into question more than 50 years of Supreme Court jurisprudence on the right to privacy, affects us all. In taking away the right to safe and legal abortion care, the Court has opened the door to eroding a […]
SMW Attorney Teaches Land Use Law at UC Berkeley School of Law
SMW Partner Andrew Schwartz taught Land Use Law at UC Berkeley School of Law for the Spring Semester 2021-2022 and will repeat the class Spring Semester 2022-2023. Mr. Schwartz also teaches Land Use Law at Stanford Law School.
SMW Attorney Updates Land Use Law Treatise
Andrew Schwartz and his co-author updated their chapter on Exactions in the California Land Use Practice treatise published by the California Continuing Education of the Bar.
SMW Attorneys Revise and Update Environmental Law Treatise
Matthew Zinn and Andrew Schwartz, partners at SMW, with the assistance of associate attorneys Ben Gonzalez and Orran Balagopalan, revised and updated the Takings Chapter of California Environmental Law and Land Use Law, a treatise co-edited by Loyola Law Professor and SMW Of Counsel Dan Selmi.
Coastal Open Space Protected in Half Moon Bay
Catherine Engberg, a partner at SMW and City Attorney for Half Moon Bay, led a team of SMW lawyers to acquire nine vacant lots on a bluff overlooking the California coast for the City’s open space program.