Overview

Monica Molina is an associate in the Real Estate department and is based in the firm's San Francisco office. Her practice focuses on cutting-edge environmental and energy matters for a diverse range of clients. Ms. Molina regularly advises leading renewable energy companies on the development of utility-scale solar, wind, and battery projects and associated regulatory issues involving federal and state agencies. Her practice includes advocating for the renewable energy industry on policy matters, such as issues concerning the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. Ms. Molina also handles sensitive environmental concerns involving water quality, protected species, hazardous materials, and more. She is familiar with a range of environmental statutes, including the California Environmental Quality Act; Forest Practice Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; Clean Water Act; National Environmental Protection Act; and the federal Endangered Species Act.

In addition to her regulatory practice, Ms. Molina advises on transactional matters and has conducted due diligence for energy projects totaling several hundred megawatts. Drawing on her prior experience clerking for the United States Court of Appeals, she also represents clients in all phases of litigation, including pre-trial, trial, and on appeal.

Ms. Molina earned her undergraduate degree from Columbia University and her law degree from Stanford University. She also holds a Master's Degree in Environment and Resources from Stanford focused primarily on energy. Before joining Paul Hastings, Ms. Molina worked in Chile for an international solar developer.

Education

• Stanford Law School, J.D., 2019

• Stanford University, M.S., 2019

• Columbia University, B.A. (cum laude), 2014