Black Lives Matter as Government Speech
In June 2020, communities across California and the world protested and mourned the nationally recognized acts of violence against Black lives.
Karuk Tribe Releases “Good Fire” Report, Addressing Barriers and Solutions to Increasing Cultural Burning
SMW Attorneys Sara Clark and Andrew Miller, together with cultural fire practitioner Don Hankins, authored Good Fire: Current Barriers to the Expansion of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire in California and Recommended Solutions for the Karuk Tribe. The report, which has been extensively cited in the media and by policymakers, examines the specific challenges faced […]
SMW Attorney on Faculty of Land Trust Alliance Advanced Legal Symposium
On June 10, 2021, Tamara Galanter spoke on amendments to conservation easements and the use of building areas in conservation easements at the Eighth Symposium on Advanced Legal Topics in Land Conservation sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance. As a faculty member, Tamara joined seven other leading legal experts and practitioners to educate more than […]
Daily Journal Article: Restoring California’s Leadership in Setting Tailpipe Emissions Standards
Firm members Lauren Tarpey and Matthew Zinn outlined the historic rationale for California’s Clean Air Act waiver from federal preemption in a recent article for the Daily Journal: Restoring California’s leadership in setting tailpipe emission standards (paywall). Following the EPA’s announcement that it will reconsider a Trump era decision to revoke California’s waiver, the article […]
SMW Attorneys Lead Negotiation to Acquire Property for Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility
SMW guided the Marin County Transit District in its successful negotiation to purchase property for a bus operations and maintenance facility. The public agency provides public transit and paratransit services throughout Marin County. The new District-controlled facility will incentivize competition for service operations contracts, reduce cost uncertainty, and reduce or minimize overall growth in operating costs for the public […]
Firm Supports Half Moon Bay’s Successful Financing for Corporation Yard Project
In 2021, SMW attorneys assisted the City of Half Moon Bay with successfully securing more than $3 million in financing from California’s Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). The lease-leaseback transaction allows the City to realize significant annual savings on lease costs. The financing allows the City to acquire land for its Corporation Yard, and […]
Certification of Half Moon Bay’s 2020 Local Coastal Land Use Plan Update
The firm advised the City of Half Moon Bay on its 2020 Local Coastal Land Use Plan Update, which was unanimously certified by the California Coastal Commission in April 2021.
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger Celebrates New Partners Seph Petta And Edward Schexnayder
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP is proud to announce the addition of two new partners, Joseph “Seph” Petta and Edward Schexnayder. Both attorneys were associates of the firm before joining the partnership. “Seph and Edward have both made significant contributions to our firm’s work since joining our practice. We are thrilled to add them to […]
EDF, Sierra Club, and Environmental Working Group Sue over Trump EPA’s Evaluation of Dangerous Chemical 1,4-Dioxane
The Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra Club, and Environmental Working Group have filed suit in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s risk evaluation for the dangerous chemical 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen identified as toxic to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The evaluation was issued in the final days […]
Firm Supports Cupertino’s Negotiation of New Franchise Agreement, Positioning City to Implement SB 1383’s Organic Waste Reduction Mandates
Firm attorneys assisted the City of Cupertino with negotiation of a new 10-year franchise agreement for recycling, organics, and solid waste collection and processing. The complex new agreement allows Cupertino to maintain high levels of service and low rates relative to surrounding cities, while positioning the City to implement the requirements of SB 1383 to […]