Business Details
Expert Land Use Law Services in Los Angeles
Established in 2003, Chen & Lee specializes exclusively in land use law, providing strategic legal counsel to real estate and business clients navigating complex regulatory frameworks. Our team combines decades of experience with a client-centric approach, guiding projects from initial entitlements through construction and dispute resolution. We collaborate closely with architects, engineers, and consultants to deliver tailored solutions for commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments. Our attorneys have successfully defended high-profile projects in appellate courts, demonstrating our expertise in CEQA compliance and litigation risk management.With a focus on Southern California, we advocate for clients before local governments and state agencies, ensuring regulatory compliance while advancing development goals. Our track record includes landmark projects such as the Century Plaza Hotel redevelopment and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts. We prioritize transparency, efficiency, and community impact, aligning legal strategies with long-term business objectives. Our specialization in land use law enables us to deliver cost-effective, timely results in a highly regulated field.
Services
Land Use Entitlements
CEQA Compliance
Litigation Defense
Coastal Development Permits
Historic Preservation
Sports Facility Approvals
Highlights and features
- We specialize exclusively in California land use law.
- Our team has defended landmark projects in appellate courts.
- We maintain a 20-year track record of successful entitlements.
- We collaborate with multidisciplinary development teams.
- Our attorneys lead in CEQA compliance and litigation defense.
Services
Land Use Entitlements
We secure comprehensive land use entitlements for clients, including general plans, zoning variances, and coastal development permits. Our team navigates local, regional, and state regulatory frameworks to ensure project viability. With decades of experience, we deliver strategic solutions for complex development challenges.
CEQA Compliance
Our attorneys provide expert guidance on California Environmental Quality Act compliance, preparing categorical exemptions, negative declarations, and environmental impact reports. We specialize in litigation risk management and have successfully defended numerous CEQA approvals in court.
Litigation Defense
We represent clients in land use litigation, from initial dispute resolution to appellate court proceedings. Our track record includes defending high-profile projects against CEQA challenges and opposing overreaching governmental actions.
Coastal Act Compliance
Our team specializes in obtaining Coastal Development Permits for projects within California's coastal zone. We navigate complex regulatory requirements and effectively present projects before the California Coastal Commission.
Historic Preservation
We address historic preservation challenges for redevelopment projects, balancing regulatory compliance with client objectives. Our expertise covers adaptive reuse and navigating evolving preservation regulations across California.
People
Mark Armbruster
Partner
Recognized land use attorney with extensive experience in entitlements and regulatory compliance. Leads complex development projects across Southern California.
Dale Goldsmith
Partner
Seasoned practitioner in CEQA compliance and environmental litigation. Defends high-profile projects in appellate courts with proven success.
William F. Delvac
Partner
Specializes in coastal development permits and historic preservation issues. Provides strategic counsel for mixed-use and commercial projects.
David A. Goldberg
Partner
Expert in sports facility entitlements and transit-oriented development. Negotiates complex approvals for major entertainment venues.
Damon P. Mamalakis
Partner
Successfully defended landmark projects in appellate courts. Focuses on CEQA litigation and regulatory compliance for large-scale developments.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We focus exclusively on California land use law, including entitlements, CEQA compliance, coastal development permits, and related litigation.
How long have you served the Los Angeles market?
We've provided specialized land use legal services in Los Angeles for over 20 years with a proven track record.
Can you handle complex regulatory challenges?
Yes, our attorneys have successfully defended complex projects in appellate courts and manage high-stakes regulatory issues.
What types of development projects do you support?
We represent clients in commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use development projects across California.
How do you approach client collaboration?
We work as integrated partners with developers, architects, and consultants to achieve project goals efficiently and legally.
