Robert Smith is a partner in the firm’s Seattle office. He is a member of the environment, land and natural resources practice group. His practice focuses on land use, governmental and regulatory permitting, real estate and shoreline development, 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.
Mr. Smith 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, sports and entertainment facilities, marinas, and water-based and land-based aquaculture and fisheries facilities.
His work includes:
- Advising California ports as special counsel in the development of aquaculture facilities;
- Representing dozens of shellfish companies in federal litigation concerning potential impacts to Tribal treaty rights;
- Representing clients in obtaining local, state, and federal permits associated with development of new marina, pier, and shoreline construction;
- Representing private landowners and shellfish companies in negotiations with Tribes to resolve Tribal objections to federal permits;
- Negotiating development agreements and permitting conditions associated with proposed commercial real estate developments in Southern California;
- Representing clients in successful resolution of enforcement actions brought by the California Coastal Commission; and
- Representing clients in obtaining NPDES permits and other state and federal approvals under the Clean Water Act.
