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Phone: (415) 777-2727 ext. 650
Fax: (415) 296-1750
Email:
cgriffith@ellman-burke.com

Education

• Stanford University School of Law, J.D.
• University of Miami, B.B.A.

Practice Areas

• Land Use, Entitlements and CEQA
• Private Capital and Personal Real Property Services
• Public-Private Partnerships
• Real Estate and Land Use Litigation

Christine W. Griffith specializes in land use counseling and litigation.  She represents corporations, institutions, property owners and commercial and residential developers in administrative proceedings and litigation related to land use and development including obtaining permits and conducting environmental review for their projects.  Ms. Griffith has successfully represented clients before local planning commissions, city councils, boards of supervisors, and other regulatory bodies.

She also represents clients in judicial proceedings in both state and federal courts.  She has successfully defended project entitlements against environmental and other challenges in both the Superior and Appellate courts and has asserted the rights of property owners against municipal and state government agencies in the judicial context.

Ms. Griffith’s practice emphasizes the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), property rights, zoning and planning laws, and the California Coastal Act.  Her experience includes siting of renewable energy projects, such as wind farms.  In addition, she has experience with wetlands and endangered species, Brownfields, and the regulation of contaminated property under Superfund and RCRA.  She counsels companies in compliance with federal and state environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and EPCRA.

Prior to joining Ellman Burke Hoffman & Johnson, Ms. Griffith was a shareholder with the law firm of Stoel Rives LLP practicing in their land use and environmental group.

Professional & Community Affiliations
Ms. Griffith is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, The Commonwealth Club and the Urban Land Institute.  She is also a member of the Bay Planning Coalition.

Publications & Presentations
Ms. Griffith is a frequent author and lecturer.

Education & Honors
Ms. Griffith earned her law degree, with honors, from Stanford Law School in 1997 and her B.B.A. degree, with honors, from the University of Miami in 1990, where she was a member of the varsity basketball team.

In 2005, she was named as one of the Best Land Use Lawyers in the Bay Area by the Bay Area Lawyer Magazine.