Ms. Sohagi’s practice for the last 25 years has focused on assisting cities, counties, and other public agencies throughout California navigate the complexities of land use law, as well as with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. Ms. Sohagi provides constructive, practical legal advice during land use and CEQA/NEPA administrative proceedings, working directly with lead agency counsel, staff, Planning Commissioners, and local elected officials. When necessary, she zealously defends lead agencies’ land use approvals and environmental determinations in judicial proceedings, and frequently heads mediation teams in settlement discussions.
In her capacity as outside counsel, Ms. Sohagi has successfully assisted cities, counties, and other public agencies by providing skilled legal services for the subject areas of greatest interest to the County. These include serving as lead attorney for CEQA reviews conducted for Los Angeles, Tulare, Monterey, and Marin Counties.
As a longstanding CEQA instructor for California’s Continuing Judicial Studies Program, Ms. Sohagi has the unique opportunity to instruct Orange County Superior Court judges, as well as Fourth District and Supreme Court justices. Her land use and environmental law expertise, and ability to keep the County informed about the latest legal developments and trends, is also demonstrated through her frequent planning and legal conference presentations, extensive UCLA and USC teaching experience, and publications such as the Solano Press book Exactions and Impact Fees in California.