The Firm, led by Tal Finney and Richard Dongell, successfully prevented the development of a proposed high school along the Alameda Corridor, which would have resulted in the exercise of eminent domain against one client and the severe curtailment of business activities by another adjacent client.  The rare decision in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s history will move the school site to a healthier environment for the students, while allowing several of the City of Los Angeles’ significant recycling companies to continue to provide their critically needed services. 

The Firm’s team worked very closely with our clients’ in-house expertise, state and local elected officials, the Los Angeles Unified School District staff and Board Members, and with state and local environmental regulators to achieve our clients’ desired result while also preventing students from being exposed to environmental and safety threats.  Our advocacy involved several presentations at well-attended and contentious public siting hearings, extended appearances before the Los Angeles School Board, strategic political meetings, and legal advocacy with relevant regulatory authorities.