Natalie Kirkish and Benjamin Lee Join Downey Brand’s Natural Resource Team

October 15, 2018

Downey Brand is pleased to welcome associates Natalie C. Kirkish and Benjamin C. Lee.

Kirkish has extensive experience representing clients in state and appellate courts on a wide variety of environmental, land use, and regulatory issues, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), local zoning ordinances and general plans, and the Subdivision Map Act. She provides counsel to government agencies and special districts on matters involving federal, state, and local law, including the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, state and local elections, public contracting, and employment issues. Kirkish earned her Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law, and received a B.A. in International Relations from the University of California at Davis.

Lee is a seasoned attorney experienced in all aspects of litigation. His concentration is on intricate and high-stakes land use and environmental matters. He has represented public agencies on a wide range of environmental and water law issues, including federal and state environmental cost recovery claims and local air quality and water administrative enforcement matters. Before entering private practice, Lee has served as an Assistant Attorney General in Washington, D.C. and clerked for the Honorable Juliet McKenna at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Lee received his B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School Of Law, where he was active on the Virginia Journal of International Law, Submissions Review Board.