EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Practice Area(s): Land Use and Real Estate Development

Available Positions: Associate or Of Counsel

Exempt Status: Full-Time Exempt

Location: Stockton, CA

Position Summary and Typical Responsibilities:

Attorneys in MCJG’s Land Use and Real Estate Development practice group engage in research, transactional, administrative, litigation, and appellate activities on behalf of clients – including landowners, homebuilders, commercial and industrial developers, agricultural operators, non-profit organizations, and public agencies.   Typical responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Representing clients in front of administrative agencies and hearing bodies such as planning commissions, county boards of supervisors, city councils, and LAFCOs;
• Advising and representing clients regarding compliance with environmental and land use regulations such as the Subdivision Map Act, State Planning & Zoning law, and the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and the United States Constitution;
• Conducting legal and factual research and preparing comprehensive memoranda on the same;
• Representing clients in negotiations with local governments, members of the public, and businesses entities;
• Advising clients regarding the acquisition, sale, leasing, and financing of real property;
• Assisting clients in performing due diligence on real estate purchase and leasing;
• Drafting agreements and other transactional documents, including purchase and sale agreements;
• Representing clients in State and Federal trial and appellate court proceedings, including, from time to time, proceedings before the California Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court;
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with elected officials, public agency staff, and members of the public; and
• Developing and maintaining client relationships and generating business, including attending and representing the firm at community events.

Summary of Some Recent Land Use and Real Estate Projects Undertaken by the Firm

• Represented developer in securing General Plan amendment, rezoning, land use permits and certification of Environmental Impact Report for mixed use market-rate apartment, boutique hotel, and commercial center in City of Lodi.
• Represented medical group in securing approval of land use permits, development agreement, and environmental impact report, and extension of utilities to develop women’s hospital in San Joaquin County.
• Represented County Assessor in defending and ultimately resolving state court writ proceedings challenging Williamson Act cancellation land valuation.
• Represented landowner in securing residential subdivision approvals in Marin County and defending legal challenge from environmental groups in state trial court and court of appeal.
• Represented national big box home improvement retailer in land use and CEQA compliance matters at locations in Stockton, CA and Beaumont, CA.
• Represented developers in securing zoning code amendments and land use permits for repurposing historic newspaper building in downtown Stockton.

• Represented Building Industry Association of the Greater Valley as counsel of record in filing amicus brief in support of landowner’s challenges to assessment of “traffic impact fees” as violation of “unconstitutional conditions” doctrine in United States Supreme Court. (Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, 601 U.S. 267, 144 S. Ct. 893 (2024) [SCOTUS overruling California courts by holding “legislatively-adopted” exactions are not exempt from Nollan/Dolan takings review.].)
• Represented businessowner/landowner in eminent domain litigation brought by regional agency to acquire several parcels for public works project, resulting in favorable settlement for client.
• Represented industrial business operators in responding to and/or seeking dismissal of “citizen suit” claims alleging Clean Water Act violations in Federal Court.
• Represented Building Industry Association of the Greater Valley in state court “reverse validation” litigation challenging a city’s adoption of development impact fee ordinance resulting in rescission of fee ordinance.
• Represented applicant in securing contested winery land use approvals in the Lodi area (and defending state court litigation challenging those approvals [ongoing])
• Represented hotel owner in resolving code enforcement dispute to modify and secure land use approvals from planning commission in San Joaquin County, CA.

Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications for this position include an active membership in good standing in the State Bar of California, a J.D form an ABA or California-accredited law school, and high ethical standards.

Additional preferred (but not necessarily required) qualifications include: Two or more years of experience in legal practice, preferably in land use, real estate, environmental, local government, or related fields; strong public speaking skills; solid researching and writing skills; the ability to communicate clearly; and an understanding that practicing law at a high level is a demanding but often rewarding process.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation that is competitive within the region and legal market, with reasonable billing and performance expectations:

• The base salary for associates starts in the $90,000’s. The actual salary will depend on the selected candidate’s experience. “Of counsel” compensation is subject to negotiation.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including health, vision, and dental.
• 401k safe-harbor plans with partial matching contributions and profit sharing opportunities.

About the Firm

McKinley, Conger, Jolley & Galarneau, LLP, established in 1986, is a full-service law firm committed to client-centered representation in a variety of practice areas. In addition to land use and real estate, we represent clients in matters involving employment, business litigation, estate and probate, family, public agency, and writs and appeals. Over the decades, we have built a strong reputation among both our clients and the community-at-large. In fact, our successes have earned us many intergenerational clients, who we have served in some capacity throughout the years. We are zealous but ethical advocates who believe that the substantial breadth and depth of our experiences — has given us a keen sense of how to effectively navigate a legal matter.  While the advertised position is primarily focused on land use and real estate development, an associate would also have the opportunity to work on matters in other practice areas of the firm.

As a small firm of 8 attorneys, we pride ourselves on having assembled a talented group of industry-leading attorneys with reduced overhead. This affords us a unique position in the legal market. We not only provide sophisticated, well-resourced representation at competitive rates, but are able to do so in a way that puts the client and their needs front-and-center. Our commitment to people-focused advocacy has earned us a sparkling reputation in the community — a reputation that we put to good use as strategic leverage.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any references to hiring partner Brett Jolley at bjolley@mcjglaw.com.