Galey Law advises on complex land use, environmental, real estate, and public process matters across California. The practice is organized around five core areas, but the work often cuts across regulatory, political, transactional, and implementation issues at the same time. Galey Law works with clients at different scales — from major development teams and public agencies to property owners, nonprofits, investors, and businesses seeking practical guidance on land use, real estate, environmental review, and local government process.
CEQA & Environmental Review
CEQA compliance is only as good as the strategy behind it. We structure environmental review from the front end — identifying the right pathway, building a defensible record, and positioning approvals to hold up when they’re challenged.
Project types
Residential & mixed-use
Commercial & institutional
Infrastructure & public works
Specific plans & general plan amendments
Who we help
- Project applicants & developers
- Public agencies
- Landowners & investors
What we do
- Exemption strategy & package preparation
- Initial study, MND & EIR review
- Findings drafting & record building
- Litigation defense
- Consultant oversight
Outcomes
- Defensible approvals
- Reduced CEQA exposure
- Faster review pathways
- Challenge-resistant records
Land Use & Entitlements
Entitlement is a legal process and a political one. We represent applicants and agencies through both — from feasibility and application strategy through hearing, approval, and the conditions that follow.
Project types
Residential & affordable housing
Mixed-use & commercial
Large-scale & master planned
Institutional & public
Who we help
- Developers & project applicants
- Landowners
- Public agencies
- Investors & lenders
What we do
- Feasibility & entitlement mapping
- Application strategy & staff engagement
- Specific plans & development agreements
- Condition negotiation
- Hearing preparation & presentation
- State housing law & density bonus
Outcomes
- Approved projects
- Vested rights
- Resolved entitlement impasses
- Informed go/no-go decisions
Housing, Density Bonus & Streamlining Tools
Galey Law advises on affordable housing, mixed-income projects, State Density Bonus Law, housing accountability protections, ministerial and streamlined approval pathways, replacement housing, project feasibility, and related CEQA and entitlement strategy. We help clients evaluate whether state housing laws or local incentives can improve feasibility, reduce discretionary risk, or provide a clearer path through the approvals process.
Tools & frameworks
State Density Bonus Law
Housing Accountability Act
Transit-oriented & SB 79
Ministerial approvals & SB 35
SB 4 & institutional housing
Replacement housing requirements
Who we help
- Affordable housing developers
- Nonprofit housing providers
- Market-rate developers
- Public agencies & institutions
What we do
- Density bonus eligibility & layering analysis
- Streamlining & ministerial pathway assessment
- HAA compliance & advocacy
- Feasibility diligence & entitlement strategy
- CEQA exemption analysis for housing projects
- Replacement housing compliance
Outcomes
- Improved project feasibility
- Reduced discretionary risk
- Faster approval pathways
- Resolved agency impasses
Public Agency & Process
Public agencies operate under obligations that shape every decision they make. We counsel agencies on meeting those obligations and represent both agencies and private parties when agency action becomes a legal dispute.
Matter types
Open meeting law
Public Records Act
Ordinances & resolutions
Procurement & contracting
Ethics & conflicts
Elections & initiatives
Who we help
- Cities & counties
- Special districts
- Private parties & applicants
- Nonprofits & community organizations
What we do
- Outside agency counsel
- Hearing & decision support
- Administrative record building
- Challenge & writ defense
Outcomes
- Defensible agency decisions
- Statutory compliance
- Successful challenges
- Public records obtained
Real Estate & Development
Real property transactions carry complexity that isn’t always visible at signing. We provide transactional counsel from acquisition through disposition — and for development projects, we bring real estate and land use strategy together under a single framework.
Matter types
Acquisitions & dispositions
Ground leases & options
Joint ventures & partnerships
Construction contracts
CC&Rs & common interest
Title & boundary disputes
Who we help
- Buyers & sellers
- Developers
- Investors & joint venture partners
- Landlords & tenants
What we do
- Transaction drafting & negotiation
- Due diligence coordination
- Development support
- Dispute resolution & litigation
Outcomes
- Closed transactions
- Informed acquisitions
- Protected deal positions
- Resolved disputes
Let's Discuss
For inquiries related to land use, environmental, or development matters, please get in touch.