Chris Guillen’s multifaceted practice spans all areas of water and land use. He represents clients in water rights and other water-related litigation and counsels clients on water transactions, compliance with state regulations including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and water right permitting issues. His clients range from public water agencies, to corporations and private property owners. Chris also advises clients as to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and land use permitting requirements during all phases of project development. He represents landowners, developers, and energy companies from land use and environmental due diligence through litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Chris practiced complex litigation at a large international law firm.
Represented an alliance of three agricultural organizations (Ventura County Coalition of Labor and Agriculture, Farm Bureau of Ventura County, and Ventura County Agricultural Association) in litigation challenging Ventura County temporary ordinance that significantly limited outdoor hemp cultivation. Successfully supported effort to enact permanent ordinance to strike proper balance in addressing competing stakeholder concerns – reasonably allowing hemp cultivation in the County while protecting sensitive receptors such as homes and schools.
Represent natural resources company in its development of major water supply, storage and infrastructure project. Representation includes counseling on all aspects of environmental review and land use requirements and defending the project’s interests in related litigation.
Environmental counsel for a private equity firm’s multi-million dollar investment in cannabis cultivation company
Representation of newly formed Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for one of the the largest agricultural water districts in the United States. Representation includes counseling on compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act’s (SGMA) procedural requirements, preparation of the GSP, and collaboration with neighboring GSAs and stakeholders.
Represent solar developer in all water, land use and environmental review related matters for its development of a major solar power and battery storage project.
Board Member, Coastal Housing Coalition
Brownstein Water: Current Trends in Water Law & PolicyContributor
5 Strategies to Fight Overly Restrictive Hemp Regulations
Co-author, Hemp Industry Daily, April 9, 2021
Lessons Learned in Regulating HempCo-author, California AG Network, February 17, 2021
CEQA News You Can Use - Vol. 5, Issue 4 - December 2020Brownstein Client Alert, December 29, 2020
CEQA News You Can Use - Vol. 5, Issue 3 - November 2020
Brownstein Client Alert, November 2, 2020
CEQA News You Can Use – Volume 5, Issue 2Brownstein Client Alert, July 7, 2020
Gov. Newsom Suspends Some CEQA Requirements, Threatening the Ability of Certain Projects to ProceedBrownstein Client Alert, April 28, 2020
CEQA News You Can Use – Volume 5, Issue 1
Brownstein Client Alert, April 21,2020
CEQA News You Can Use, Vol. 4, Issue 4Brownstein Client Alert, December 2019, Vol. 4, Issue 4
CEQA News You Can Use - Vol. 4, Issue 2Brownstein Client Alert, August 2019
The Shifting Sands of Coastal Development Policies: How sea level rise and climate change are influencing local development restrictionsPacific Coast Business Times, April 12-18, 2019
CEQA News You Can Use - Vol. 4, Issue 1Brownstein Client Alert, January 2019
Climate Mitigation, State Policy and Science “Stayed” in San Diego Court RulingBrownstein Client Alert, October 9, 2018
CEQA News You Can Use - Vol. 3, Issue 1
Brownstein Client Alert, February 1, 2018
Handling Water Rights Disputes: Adjudication Procedures and Litigation Tips
Speaker, Water Rights in California Seminar, National Business Institute, San Luis Obispo, January 23, 2018
CEQA News You Can Use - Vol. 2, Issue 2Brownstein Client Alert, July 20, 2017
Five Things to Know About the State Water Resources Control Board’s Draft Climate Change ResolutionCo-author, Brownstein Client Alert, Feb. 21, 2017
Environmental Law Section Executive Committee, California Lawyers Association
Member, Urban Land Institute (Los Angeles)
Member, Groundwater Resources Association of California