About Julie
Julie Jones: Leading Environmental & Land Use Attorney in San Francisco
Julie Jones is a highly respected and experienced environmental and land use attorney specializing in complex development projects. She provides strategic legal counsel and aggressive litigation defense to clients navigating the intricate landscape of California and federal environmental regulations. With a proven track record of success, Ms. Jones helps private and public entities secure the approvals they need while mitigating risk and achieving favorable outcomes – often avoiding costly and time-consuming litigation. Her deep understanding of regulations like the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and federal species protection statutes, coupled with her extensive trial experience, makes her a trusted advisor and a formidable advocate.
Ms. Jones's expertise spans a diverse range of sectors, including university projects, renewable energy development, water supply systems, maritime operations, and master-planned communities. She excels at resolving disputes arising from regulatory challenges, offering a proactive approach to identify potential issues and develop tailored solutions. Her strategic problem-solving skills are consistently praised by clients seeking to streamline the permitting process and minimize legal exposure.
Recent Accomplishments: Ms. Jones’s recent successes demonstrate her effectiveness in high-stakes environments.
- Stanford University Project: Ms. Jones successfully assisted Stanford University in obtaining approval for a groundbreaking 1.5-million-square-foot office, research and development, and medical clinic project in Redwood City. This complex undertaking involved navigating intricate traffic, air quality, and greenhouse gas concerns, resulting in a complete approval without the need for litigation.
- Homebuilder CEQA Compliance: She effectively guided a homebuilder through CEQA compliance following a previous litigation challenge. Despite initial opposition, Ms. Jones skillfully crafted a revised CEQA document that was not contested, leading to the successful completion of the project.
- Utility-Scale Solar Acquisitions: Ms. Jones conducted comprehensive land use and environmental due diligence – encompassing CEQA, NEPA, endangered species assessments, Federal Land Policy and Management Act reviews, and local land use considerations – for proposed acquisitions of utility-scale solar projects, ensuring regulatory compliance and minimizing potential roadblocks.
Litigation Successes: Ms. Jones's litigation victories are a testament to her courtroom prowess and strategic legal thinking. She has successfully defended projects and initiatives across a variety of challenging situations:
- University/County Trail Agreement: She overcame significant hurdles to secure an agreement between a university and county regarding the development of shared trails.
- Transportation Sales Tax Ballot Measure: Ms. Jones successfully defended a transportation sales tax ballot measure against legal challenges.
- City/County Urban Services Agreement: She achieved a favorable outcome in an agreement between a city and county concerning the provision of urban services.
- Transportation Authority Light Rail Extension: Ms Jones represented a transportation authority in the successful extension of a light rail system.
- University Development & Roadway Project: She successfully defended a university development and roadway project against legal objections.
- Port Expansion & Dredging Projects: Ms. Jones represented a port in the successful defense of major expansion and dredging projects against NEPA and Endangered Species Act claims, protecting critical infrastructure investments.
Expertise & Recognition: Ms. Jones is recognized as a leading authority in her field, offering unparalleled expertise and insights. She is the author of the sustainable development chapter of Curtin’s California Land Use and Planning Law and has co-authored its chapters on federal and state wetland regulation and endangered species protections. She is a regular contributor to the California Land Use and Development Law Report, providing invaluable analysis and commentary to the legal community. Her frequent lectures on CEQA and NEPA for clients, professionals, and industry associations solidify her position as a thought leader and trusted resource.
Practice Areas:
- Environmental Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Awards & Recognition:
Ms. Jones has been consistently recognized for her excellence in Environmental Law and Land Use and Zoning Law, earning accolades from organizations such as Best Attorney USA since 2014. This consistent recognition reflects her commitment to providing exceptional legal services and achieving outstanding results for her clients.
Education & Credentials:
- Bar Admissions: Admitted to the practice of law in California and before all federal courts.
- Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2014
Contact:
Julie Jones is based in San Francisco, California, and serves clients throughout the United States.
