A land use and environmental shareholder in Miller Starr Regalia’s Walnut Creek office, Kristina Daniel Lawson has substantial expertise in obtaining local, state and federal government permits and approvals, and is an expert in matters involving the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Kristina has worked on many significant land use projects throughout California, including a wide variety of residential, commercial, retail, and mixed-use projects. On behalf of private clients, she regularly appears before state and local agencies throughout the Bay Area and California. Kristina also serves as special counsel to public agencies on complex land use and environmental matters.
Kristina’s broad advisory and advocacy practice focuses on all aspects of California land use and environmental law. From the interpretation and application of local General Plans, specific plans, and zoning ordinances, to local land use initiatives and referenda, to state and federal natural resources, air, and water law, Kristina’s wide-ranging expertise adds significant value to land use projects throughout the state.
EDUCATION
Kristina received a J.D., cum laude, from Santa Clara University School of Law, and is a member of the Order of the Coif. While at Santa Clara, she was also recognized with CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in the subjects of water law, local government law, and state and local taxation. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of Arizona.
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ASSOCIATIONS
She was appointed to the City of Walnut Creek’s Planning Commission in 2009. Kristina is the current President of East Bay CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), one of 68 CREW Network chapters. She is an appointed member of CREW Network's national Industry Research Committee, and is also active in the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Additionally, Kristina serves on the Environmental Legislation Committee of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of California.
She frequently writes and speaks on land use and environmental topics.
Prior to joining Miller Starr Regalia, Kristina practiced at Meyers Nave, and served as an assistant city attorney to two Bay Area cities.
PUBLICATIONS/ARTICLES/NEWS
“CEQA’s Neverending Story – Post-Entitlement Enforcement of Mitigation Measures,” California Land Use Law and Policy Reporter, June 2008.
“Prohibiting Big Macs and Rollbacks: California’s Ever-Expanding Regulation of Retail End-Users,” California Land Use Law and Policy Reporter, December 2007.
“Climate Change: New Impact Laws Affecting Development Projects,” BUILDERnews magazine, July 2007.
“Thinking Globally When Acting Locally: How Will CEQA Adapt to a Changing Environment?” California Real Property Journal, Vol. 25, No. 2, 2007.
“Troubled Waters: The Supreme Court Splits On Scope of Wetlands Regulation,” Miller & Starr Real Estate Newsalert, Vol. 17, No. 1, September 2006.
“ ‘Rapanos’ Wetlands Decision Doesn’t Void State Regulations,” San Francisco Daily Journal, July 18, 2006.
“Settling With Certainty – California Courts of Appeal Grapple With Challenges to the Settlement of Land Use Litigation,” California Land Use Law and Policy Reporter, April 2006.
“Legislating a Density Bonus to Boost Affordable Housing,” San Francisco Daily Journal, September 15, 2005.
“Cases Prove Need to Follow CEQA Requirements,” San Francisco Daily Journal, May 6, 2004.
