Municipal Land Use Attorney Associate – Northern California

Direct Counsel is seeking a Municipal Land Use Associate with 4–6 years of land use and zoning experience to join a highly regarded California public law practice. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney interested in sophisticated land use, development, zoning, environmental, and public agency matters while working directly with cities, counties, special districts, and other public entities.

The ideal candidate will have substantive experience navigating complex land use and permitting matters and be comfortable providing practical, strategic advice throughout the development and approval process.

Location

Northern California, including:

• San Francisco
• Oakland
• Marin County
• Silicon Valley

Mainly Remote – Must reside in California!

Responsibilities

• Advise public agencies and other clients on complex land use, zoning, development, and permitting matters.
• Conduct land use due diligence for new development and redevelopment projects.
• Evaluate development opportunities, regulatory requirements, and potential project constraints.
• Develop permitting and approval strategies to help clients achieve project objectives.
• Guide clients through local permitting and entitlement processes.
• Advise on:
  • Planning and zoning laws
  • CEQA
  • NEPA
  • Other environmental protection laws
• Research and analyze complex municipal, land use, and environmental issues.
• Draft legal memoranda, agreements, resolutions, ordinances, and other land use-related documents.
• Regularly communicate with clients regarding matter strategy, developments, and progress.
• Independently manage matters while collaborating with experienced public law attorneys.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of relevant land use and zoning experience.
• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• Substantive experience with land use, zoning, permitting, and development matters.
• Experience with CEQA, NEPA, and other environmental protection laws.
• Demonstrated interest in representing public agencies.
• Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory issues and provide practical, client-focused advice.
• Strong work ethic with a self-motivated and collaborative approach.
• Excellent client communication and matter-management skills.

Preferred Experience

• Representation of cities, counties, special districts, or other California public agencies.
• Land use transactional experience.
• Development and redevelopment projects.
• Entitlements and permitting.
• Municipal planning and zoning matters.
• Environmental review involving CEQA and NEPA.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $165,000–$205,000, depending on experience.
• Annual performance-based bonuses.
• Discretionary and billable-hours bonus opportunities.
• Reasonable billable-hours requirement.
• Mainly remote work arrangement for California-based attorneys.
• Competitive health insurance benefits.
• 401(k) with partial employer match.
• Strong mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Why This Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to develop a sophisticated municipal land use practice while advising public agencies on significant development, zoning, permitting, and environmental matters throughout Northern California. Attorneys receive meaningful responsibility, direct client interaction, reasonable billable expectations, and strong mentorship within a collaborative practice.

Interested? Apply through Direct Counsel or reach out to learn more.