Overview

Lindsay Puckett is an of counsel attorney in Stoel Rives’ Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources group. She represents public and private clients in transactional and litigation matters involving the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), endangered species and habitat conservation plans, land use entitlements, conservation easements, alternative energy, coastal development, water issues, and Native American tribes.

Lindsay guides clients through the complexities of environmental review, such as climate change and tribal cultural resources. She also helps clients obtain local, state, and federal permits, including those from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Before joining Stoel Rives, Lindsay was a partner in the San Diego office of Best Best & Krieger LLP for nearly ten years. Lindsay’s extensive experience representing public agencies gives her a unique perspective when representing developers and working with agency staff. She also appreciates the importance of coordinating with technical consultants and other environmental and land use experts to complete projects on time and within budget, while managing legal risk.

Education

Washington University School of Law, J.D., 2004; Chair, Environmental Moot Court Board; Vice President, Environmental Law Society; CALI Excellence for the Future Awards: Environmental Land Use and Litigation, State and Local Government, Mediation Theory and Practice

University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., American literature and culture, 2001

Admissions

California

United States District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California

Experience

  • Advised clients on environmental documents related to land use and master plans, residential, commercial, and industrial projects, affordable housing, public transit and transit-oriented development, groundwater desalination, wastewater and recycled water infrastructure, potable reuse, soil and groundwater remediation, and solar development.
  • Representation of clients in several high-profile CEQA litigation matters, including challenges to a 2,600-acre master-planned community, a mixed-use development with luxury hotel and affordable and market rate residential units, a climate action plan, and a solar project.
  • Served as lead attorney for the Joint Water Agencies Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan, a partnership between four San Diego County water agencies to address siting, development, maintenance, and operation of their water delivery facilities.

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • “Streamlined Permitting Key to California’s Floating Offshore Wind Development,” POWER magazine, September 1, 2023
  • “Phase 2 NEPA Revisions: Significant Changes Proposed by CEQ in the Proposed Bipartisan Permitting Reform Rule” (co-author), Stoel Rives Environmental Law blog, August 3, 2023

Recognition

  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law), 2023–2024
  • Selected for the San Diego Daily Transcript 40 Under 40 List of Young Professionals, 2017
  • Named an Outstanding Young Attorney, San Diego Daily Transcript, 2009

Affiliations

Civic

  • Association of Women in Water, Energy and Environment (AWWEE), Regional Team Leader (2018–2019)
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