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| Ellia Thompson |
Los Angeles, CA, June 29, 2022 – Venable
LLP is pleased to announce the addition of three land use and
zoning attorneys to its Los Angeles office.
Ellia Thompson is
joining the firm as a partner, and Jeffrey Harlan and Jonathan
H. Riker are joining the firm as counsel.
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| Mitch Evall |
Mitch Evall,
partner-in-charge of Venable’s Los Angeles office, said, “Our Los Angeles
office is home to an exceptional real estate practice that will benefit greatly
from this added capability.
"Ellia, Jeff, and Jonathan have
extensive knowledge of the land use issues facing developers and are focused on
practical solutions. They are personable, and team players.”
Ked Whitmore, chair of Venable's
Land Use and Zoning Practice, said, “Ellia, Jeff, and Jonathan possess the mix
of administrative and regulatory knowledge and litigation experience that
clients have come to expect from our zoning and land use attorneys.
"Their track
record of success and deep experience in Southern California and throughout the
western United States make them the ideal team for expanding our group’s
presence.”
 |
| Ked Whitmore |
Commenting on the group’s move to Venable, Thompson said, “Venable has the perfect foundation for developing a thriving
land use and zoning practice in California. In addition to its strong
environmental practice, a pivotal component not all firms are able to offer,
the firm also maintains a deep bench of accomplished real estate, litigation,
and construction attorneys. All of the elements that a robust land use team
needs, we found at Venable.”
Thompson concentrates her practice on land
use, planning and zoning regulations, government administrative law, and local
housing laws.
. Harlan focuses his land use and zoning
practice on sustainable development, environmental design, public policy, and
strategic planning.
 |
| Jeffrey Harlan |
He brings a unique perspective to
challenging land use and regulatory problems in California, shaped by his
experience as a deputy to an elected official, planning director for a state
land conservancy, and a private consultant. He calls upon his varied background
to provide counsel to real estate developers and property owners on all aspects
of development, from due diligence and entitlement processing to community
engagement and litigation strategies.
Harlan received his J.D. from Vermont
Law School and his B.A. from Columbia University.
Riker’s practice focuses on land use,
planning and zoning regulations, government administrative law, local housing
laws, building code enforcement, and California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) compliance.
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| Jonathan Riker |
He frequently conducts land use and environmental due
diligence for perspective real estate purchasers and assists property owners in
removing a variety of code violations imposed by local government agencies. He
has significant experience in implementation of the State Ellis Act and
housing-related issues, including Density Bonus law.
He is a recognized local
CEQA expert and was one of the first attorneys in Los Angeles to become an
Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Riker received his
J.D. from Tulane University Law School, his M.U.R.P. from University of New
Orleans, and his B.A. from Columbia University.
Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in
Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large
and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and
other individuals.
With more than 850 professionals across the country, legislative
affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property
disciplines.
CONTACT:
Keith Emmer
212-920-9205
https://www.venable.com/.
