Robert Smith

Robert Smith is a partner in the firm’s Environment, Land, and Natural Resources practice group. His practice focuses on land use, governmental and regulatory permitting, real estate and shoreline development, renewable energy, aquaculture and fisheries law, and tribal law.

His experience includes counseling clients through all required local, state, and federal regulatory proceedings, including environmental and regulatory due diligence, representation of clients at administrative and regulatory hearings, negotiation of permit terms and conditions, state and federal environmental review, processing subdivision maps, negotiation of public-private partnerships and development agreements, development of specific plans, coordination of public relations and outreach efforts, negotiation of purchase and sale agreements and lease agreements, and litigation arising from regulatory approvals or denials.

Robert assists clients with complex regulatory, permitting, and enforcement matters under a range of environmental statutes, including the California Coastal Act, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), Subdivision Map Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA), as well as Tribal treaties. This experience includes working on a variety of projects, including mixed use commercial and residential projects, wind and solar energy facilities, sports and entertainment facilities, marinas, and water-based and land-based aquaculture and fisheries facilities.

"Ports And Vessel Owners, Prep For New Calif. Emissions Regs," Law360, 31 August 2022

"Aquaculture, Fishing Cos. Stand To Net Big Gains From Aid," Law360, 28 May 2020

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law

J.D.

2005

Northwestern University

B.A.

2001