Lisabeth Rothman focuses on environmental and land use law with a special emphasis on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Liz has represented public agencies and private entities including residential, commercial, and industrial developers, energy companies, and business organizations in entitlement, administrative, litigation, and appellate proceedings in state and federal courts.
With more than 30 years of administrative, litigation and appellate experience, Liz has expertise in complex and cutting-edge issues under CEQA, including compliance, mitigation, litigation and settlement, water supply and water quality, planning and zoning, and the Subdivision Map Act. Her land use experience also includes conditional use permits, development agreements, rezoning, general plan amendments, specific plans, Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiatives, referenda challenging land use approvals, Local Agency Formation Commission issues, Coastal Act issues, exactions and regulatory takings, and other development conditions. Her practice also focuses on CEQA’s treatment of water issues, and she has represented clients on issues involving water rights, the Clean Water Act, and California’s Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. She also possesses a familiarity with the National Environmental Policy Act, the California Fish and Game Code, and the Endangered Species Act.
Liz has advised and represented public agencies on CEQA issues for major public infrastructure water projects, water issues, contract issues, and LAFCO matters.
As an experienced litigator, Liz represents private clients, land and public agencies in judicial proceedings in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Her trial court representation focuses on writs of mandate and validation proceedings, and includes environmental matters in federal district court. Her appellate practice includes representation before California Courts of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, and federal appellate courts, and also includes writing amicus briefs in numerous appellate cases involving CEQA and water issues.
