Amy R. Higuera

Public Sector

• Representing a municipality in defending its approval of electric utility regulatory changes and compliance with CEQA for future updates.
• Representing a municipality in defending lawsuits filed under CEQA, the Subdivision Map Act, and Planning and Zoning Law.
• Serving as outside counsel to advise in preparation of all necessary legal documents for SB 375 and CEQA compliance for adoption of Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy for the Bay Area.
• Serving as outside counsel to advise in preparation of all necessary legal documents for SB 375 and CEQA compliance for adoption of Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy for the Sacramento region.
• Served as outside counsel to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in litigation associated with the Department’s approval of an approximately 12,000 acre development in northwestern Los Angeles County.
• Represented City of Santa Cruz in successfully defending its approval of a master plan for natural resource protection and an accessible trail system in the Arana Gulch open space area.

Private Sector

• Representing an existing medical school in securing entitlements from the City of Sacramento for a medical center campus to include a 14-story, 420-bed teaching hospital, college, dormitories, childcare center, senior residential care facility, and supporting office, commercial, and retail uses.
• Representing applicant in obtaining land use entitlements and completing CEQA review for a solar photovoltaic energy generation facility on approximately 1,228 acres in Merced County.
• Advising developer on entitlement and CEQA strategies for a large infill housing development project in the City of Sacramento, including making effective use of California’s housing accountability laws.
• Represented applicant for a 2,000-acre mixed-use specific plan to develop a strategy for first phase entitlements from the County of Sacramento, CEQA compliance, and permits under the Endangered Species Acts.
• Successfully represented the applicant in two lawsuits filed challenging approval of a fitness center project in Roseville and represented same applicant in the administrative process leading to the approval of fitness center project in Folsom.
• Represented project applicant during the administrative process and secured land use entitlements and EIR certification for a 336-unit residential development, neighborhood recreation center and parks, located on an approximately 48.75-acre site in the City of Sacramento. Successfully represented the applicant in trial court and on appeal.
• Represented project applicants in obtaining EIR certification and land use entitlements and successfully defended applicants in litigation challenging approval of a 577-acre mixed-use development including a transit center to facilitate extension of the Sacramento light rail system to the Sacramento International Airport.
• Represented project applicants in obtaining EIR certification and land use entitlements for a 40-acre hospital and medical campus in the City of Elk Grove.
• Represented project applicants in obtaining EIR certification and land use entitlements for a 6,000-acre Urban Development Plan for residential, commercial and medical uses, public facilities and schools in Merced.
• Represented project applicants in obtaining EIR certification, land use entitlements, and development agreements for a 65-acre transit-oriented, mixed-use development in Sacramento.

Published Cases

• Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters v. City of Los Angeles (2022) 76 Cal. App. 5th 1154
• Coalition for an Equitable Westlake/MacArthur Park v. City of Los Angeles (2020) 47 Cal. App. 5th 368
• Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2017) 17 Cal.App.5th 1245
• Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2016) 1 Cal.App.5th 452
• Bay Area Citizens v. Association of Bay Area Governments (2016) 248 Cal.App.4th 966
• East Sacramento Partnership for a Livable City v. City of Sacramento (2016) 5 Cal.App.5th 281
• Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2015) 62 Cal.4th 204
• Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 1105
• California Native Plant Society v. City of Santa Cruz (2009) 177 Cal.App.4th 957

Announcements

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Speaking Engagements / Events

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Blogs

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Legal Alerts

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Publications

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In her time outside the office, Amy enjoys exploring Bay Area parks, museums, and eateries with her family. She is the proud mom of two young girls and is an active volunteer in their school.

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Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

• California Lawyers Association, Environmental Legislation Committee, 2024
• San Francisco Bay Planning Coalition
• Bar Association of San Francisco, Environmental Law Section
• California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
• LEED Green Associate, accreditation earned 2009
• Urban Land Institute, San Francisco
• Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), San Francisco
• California Land Use Law and Policy Reporter, Editorial Board Member, 2008-2010

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Honors & Rankings

• Sacramento Magazine, Top Lawyer, Environmental, 2022
• Dean’s Scholarship Award, McGeorge School of Law
• Honors at Entrance, McGeorge School of Law
• Dean’s Honor Roll, McGeorge School of Law
• Traynor Honor Society McGeorge School of Law
• Dean’s Honor List, University of California, Davis