Andrea K. Leisy

Partner

Ms. Leisy joined the firm in 2000 as an associate and became a partner in 2005. She served as managing partner from 2011 through 2016. Her practice focuses on advising and representing public agencies, project applicants and citizen’s groups during administrative proceedings and in trial and appellate litigation, with a focus on issues arising under the California Environmental Quality Act, the State Planning and Zoning Law, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Ralph M. Brown Act, the Integrated Waste Management Act, and initiative and referendum law as they relate to land use matters.  Ms. Leisy has also worked on projects involving compliance with, or permitting under, Tanner Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Ms. Leisy currently works out of RMM’s Orange County office and regularly teaches CEQA, land use and environmental law continuing education classes and seminars for professional organizations such as the Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP), League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties.

Representative Matters:

  • Lead attorney representing Waste Management of California, Inc. and Chemical Waste Management, Inc., in various organics recovery, TS/MRF, and alternative energy projects, as well as in administrative entitlement processes and litigation throughout the state.
  • Outside counsel to various private applicants pursuing entitlements and the completion of environmental review for: cannabis related activities; affordable housing developments; aggregate mining; and senior care projects.
  • Outside counsel to the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles, and the City of Newport Beach in various matters subject to litigation, environmental review and entitlements.

Representative Cases:

  • City of Los Angeles v. Federal Aviation Administration (2023) (9th Cir.) 63 F.4th 835 (counsel for Petitioner)
  • G.I. Industries v. City of Thousand Oaks (2022) 84 Cal.App.5th 814 (counsel for Petitioner)
  • Sierra Watch v. County of Placer (2021) 69 Cal.App.5th 86 (counsel for Real Party in Interest Squaw Valley Real Estate, LLC)
  • Stein et al. v. Alameda County Waste Management Authority (2020) 2020 WL 4745561 (Counsel for Real Party in Interest Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc.)
  • Sunset Coalition v. City of Los Angeles (2018) 2018 WL 1046243 (Counsel for Respondent City of Los Angeles)
  • Placerville Historic Preservation League v. Judicial Council of California (2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 187 (counsel for Respondent Judicial Council)
  • El Pueblo Para El Aire y Agua Limpio v. Kings County (2012) 2012 Cal.App.Unpub.LEXIS 4984 (counsel for Real Party in Interest)
  • Citizens for Open Government v. City of Lodi (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 296 (counsel for Real Party in Interest)
  • California Native Plant Society v. County of El Dorado (2009) 170 Cal.App.4th 1026 (counsel for Real Party in Interest).

Education

  • J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, 1999
  • B.A., Legal Studies, University of California, Berkeley, 1994
  • B.A., Ethnic Studies, University of California, Berkeley, 1994

Professional Affiliations

  • The State Bar of California
    • California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
  • California State Courts
  • United States District Court, Eastern and Northern Districts of California
  • Orange County Bar Association
    • Environmental Law Section
  • Editor, Climate Change Law & Policy Reporter, 2010-2012
  • Editor, California Land Use & Policy Reporter, 2001-2004
  • Selected for inclusion in the 2014-2023 Northern California Super Lawyers® magazine and Rising Stars section of the 2009-2011 Northern California Super Lawyers® magazine

Community Involvement

  • Member, T1 International / California #insulin4all (2021 – Present)
  • Member, Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust (2022 – Present)
  • Board Member, Cottage Housing, Inc. (2008 – 2015)
  • Appointed Member, City/County Sacramento Environmental Commission (2011 – 2013)
  • Member, Advisory Committee, Center for Youth Citizenship (2006 – 2009)
  • Board Member, Volunteers In Parole (VIP) Mentors, Inc. (2005 – 2009)
  • Member, Sacramento City-County Solid Waste Advisory Committee (2003-2008)

Publications

  • Author, A New Era: Consultation with California Native American Tribes and Consideration of Tribal Cultural Resources under CEQA, Vol. 24, No. 1, Environmental Law News, State Bar of California (Summer 2015).
  • Author, California Air Resources Board Endorses Long Anticipated Cap-and-Trade Regulation , Feature Article, California Climate Change Law & Policy Reporter (January 2010).
  • Co-author, Attorney General Sues Squaw Valley USA for Environmental Violations , Feature Article, California Land Use Reporter (March 2002).
  • Author, Inherent Tribal Sovereignty and the Clean Water Act: The Effect of Tribal Water Quality Standards on Non-Indian Lands Located Both Within and Outside Reservation Boundaries 29 Golden Gate U.L. Rev. 139 (Spring 1999).