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Wanger Jones Helsley PC

Environmental, Water, & Land Use

Representation in water rights, environmental regulation, and land use for agricultural, public, and private clients, with attorneys in Fresno and Sacramento near the Capitol.

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What We Do

Environmental, Water, & Land Use Services

01

Water Rights & Supply

Counsel on surface and groundwater rights, water supply and transfers, SGMA compliance, and water district matters for agricultural and public clients.

02

Environmental Regulation & CEQA

Representation in CEQA review, environmental compliance, and permitting before state and federal regulatory agencies.

03

Land Use & Entitlements

Zoning, subdivision, development entitlements, and land use approvals, including related administrative proceedings.

04

Regulatory & Agency Matters

Advocacy before regulatory agencies and special districts on environmental, water, and natural resource issues.

05

Natural Resources

Counsel on natural resource use and development affecting agriculture, energy, and land in California.

06

Environmental & Water Litigation

Litigation of water, environmental, and land use disputes in state and federal court, including appellate work.

Overview

How We Serve Our Clients

Wanger Jones Helsley advises agricultural operations, public agencies, special districts, and private clients on water rights, environmental regulation, and land use. The practice is anchored in the Central Valley, where water and land are central to the regional economy, and is supported by attorneys based near the State Capitol in Sacramento.

The firm handles water supply and rights, SGMA and groundwater matters, CEQA and environmental review, entitlements, and regulatory proceedings, and litigates environmental and water disputes through trial and appeal. The firm has been recognized in the Chambers USA California Spotlight for Environment.

This practice draws on the firm's trial depth: WJH attorneys have handled water and environmental matters at the highest levels, including a United States Supreme Court victory on federal flood-control immunity. Clients benefit from counsel that combines regulatory knowledge with courtroom capability.

Our Approach

What to Expect from WJH

— 01

Water-Focused

Water rights and supply are a defining focus, reflecting the firm's Central Valley base and the needs of its agricultural and public-agency clients.

— 02

Capitol-Proximate

Sacramento-based attorneys give the practice proximity to the regulatory agencies and Capitol decision-making that shape California environmental and water policy.

— 03

Recognized & Trial-Tested

Recognized in Chambers USA for Environment, the practice pairs regulatory experience with the firm's established trial and appellate capability.

The Team

Attorneys in this Practice

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Marisa L. Balch, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Marisa L. Balch
Of Counsel
Fresno
Nicolas R. Cardella, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Nicolas R. Cardella
Shareholder
Fresno
Craig A. Carnes, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Craig A. Carnes
Of Counsel
Sacramento
Hunter C. Castro, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Hunter C. Castro
Shareholder
Fresno
Robert E. Donlan, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Robert E. Donlan
Shareholder
Sacramento
Shawnda M. Grady, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Shawnda M. Grady
Of Counsel
Sacramento
Timothy Jones, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Timothy Jones
Shareholder
Fresno
John P. Kinsey, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
John P. Kinsey
Shareholder
Fresno
Ethan Mora, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Ethan Mora
Of Counsel
Fresno
Kurt F. Vote, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Kurt F. Vote
Shareholder
Fresno
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wanger Jones Helsley handle in environmental, water, and land use law?
Wanger Jones Helsley handles water rights and supply, SGMA and groundwater matters, CEQA and environmental review, land use and entitlements, regulatory and agency proceedings, natural resources, and environmental and water litigation. The firm serves agricultural operations, public agencies, special districts, and private clients across California from offices in Fresno and Sacramento.
Does WJH handle water rights matters?
Yes. Water rights and supply are a defining focus of the firm's environmental practice, including surface and groundwater rights, water transfers, SGMA compliance, and water district matters. This reflects the firm's Central Valley base and its agricultural and public-agency client base.
Has WJH been recognized for environmental work?
Yes. Wanger Jones Helsley has been recognized in the Chambers USA California Spotlight Guide for Environment. The firm's attorneys have also handled water and environmental matters at the highest levels, including a United States Supreme Court victory on federal flood-control immunity.
Who does WJH represent in environmental and water matters?
The firm represents agricultural operations, public agencies, special districts, water districts, and private landowners and businesses. Clients turn to WJH for both regulatory counsel before agencies and litigation in state and federal court when environmental, water, or land use matters are disputed.
Where is WJH's environmental and water practice based?
The practice works from offices in Fresno and Sacramento. The Sacramento office, near the State Capitol, gives the firm proximity to regulatory agencies and policymakers, while the Fresno office anchors the practice in the agricultural Central Valley. The firm serves clients statewide.
Who at WJH handles environmental, water, and land use matters?
The practice spans the Fresno and Sacramento offices and includes Timothy Jones, John Kinsey, Nicolas Cardella, Hunter Castro, and Kurt Vote in Fresno, with Robert Donlan, Craig Carnes, and Shawnda Grady in Sacramento near the Capitol. The firm assigns attorneys by matter and regulatory focus.
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