
Overview
Gordon E. Hart is a partner in the Real Estate practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s San Francisco office. He focuses on environmental and land use law, and government advocacy. His practice includes permitting, enforcement, transactional and litigation issues on behalf of real estate developers, energy project developers, commercial property owners, public agencies, manufacturers, and environmental service and waste management companies.
Education
- McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, graduated first in class, 1994 (Order of the Coif and Order of the Barristers)
- Fellow in Public Affairs with the Coro Foundation, 1985-1986
- Reed College, B.A. in Political Science, 1984
Representations
Mr. Hart's work on behalf of clients encompasses the following:
- Obtaining and renewing permits, authorizations and entitlements from local, state and federal agencies under various state and federal land use and environmental laws;
- Supervising the preparation of environmental impact reports and statements, remedial action plans, risk management plans, and similar plans and reports;
- Defending against litigation challenging projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other state and federal planning and environmental statutes;
- Supervising environmental due diligence efforts, drafting and negotiating environmental provisions in purchase and sale agreements, land use covenants and other property transfer and documents;
- Drafting and negotiating environmental remediation contracts and environmental insurance policies;
- Defending environmental enforcement actions brought by state and federal regulatory agencies and negotiating consent decrees and other enforceable agreements;
- Lobbying the California State Legislature and executive agencies on legislative and regulatory proposals.
news
- Paul Hastings Ranked as Top Three Firm for New Rankings and Recognized for Numerous Practice Strength and Growth in Chambers USA 2021 - May 21st, 2021
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2020 - May 1st, 2020
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2019 - May 1st, 2019
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2018 - May 11th, 2018
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2017 - June 5th, 2017
- Related Companies Secures Approval for the Largest Private Development Project in Silicon Valley - June 28th, 2016
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2016 - June 8th, 2016
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2015 - May 20th, 2015
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2014 - May 27th, 2014
- Paul Hastings Employment Practice Honored with Chambers ''Award for Excellence'' and Firms Leading Practices and Lawyers Ranked in Chambers USA 2013 - May 27th, 2013
- Paul Hastings Excels in Chambers USA 2012 Guide - June 7th, 2012
- Paul Hastings Excels in Chambers USA 2011 Guide - June 10th, 2011
- Paul Hastings Advising Facebook on Acquisition, Leasing, and Development of New Global Headquarters - February 8th, 2011
- Paul Hastings Advises Lennar Corporation on Hunters Point Redevelopment - August 4th, 2010
- Paul Hastings Garners Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2010 Guide - June 14th, 2010
- Paul Hastings Represents Lennar Corporation in Mixed-Use Development Project Passed by San Francisco Voters - June 6th, 2008
- Paul Hastings Practice Areas and Attorneys Earn Top Honors in Latest Edition of Chambers USA - June 5th, 2006
- Paul Hastings Soars in Chambers USA 2005 Rankings - May 25th, 2005
Recognitions
- Paul Hastings Recognized for Legal Excellence in the Legal 500 2022 - June 13th, 2022
- Paul Hastings Environment and Energy Practice Top Ranked by Chambers USA 2022 - June 1st, 2022
- Paul Hastings Recognized for Legal Excellence in Legal 500 2021 - June 15th, 2021
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2021 - May 21st, 2021
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2020 - May 1st, 2020
- Ranked by Chambers USA 2019 - April 26th, 2019
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2018 - May 15th, 2018
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2017 - June 5th, 2017
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2016 - June 8th, 2016
insights
- Risks, Risks Everywhere . . . It’s Time to Stop and Think. Should ESG Investing Trends Be Part of the Calculus When Considering COVID-19 Based Stays of Environmental Compliance? - April 16th, 2020
- That Was FAST! Congress Adopts NEPA Reforms for Renewable Energy Projects In Surface Transportation Bill - January 18th, 2016
- Court Rules Business as Usual Method of Evaluating GHG Impacts Under CEQA Was Unlawful Where Baseline Reflected Hypothetical - June 5th, 2012
- Passage of Proposition 26 Alters Future of Regulatory Fees in California - December 15th, 2010
- California Enacts Landmark Energy Storage Law - November 2nd, 2010
- The Constitutionality of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs Under Federal and California Law A White Paper - June 18th, 2010
- The California Attorney Generals Latest Settlement: ConocoPhillips Company Agrees to Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Expanded Refinery - September 24th, 2007
Engagement & Publications
- Author of "Brownfields Redevelopment at Closed Military Bases," a chapter in the American Bar Association's handbook, Environmental Aspects of Business and Real Estate Transactions (3rd Ed. 2004).
Involvement
- Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Hart served in several capacities on the staff of the California State Legislature. Those positions included serving as senior consultant to the Senate Toxics and Public Safety Management Committee, as counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and as counsel to the Speaker of the Assembly.
- He has served on numerous local and state agency advisory committees related to land use, transportation, hazardous waste and other environmental issues over the last twenty-five years.
Practice Areas
Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions
Environment and Energy
Real Estate
Energy and Global Climate Change
Government Affairs
Land Use
Real Estate Development and Construction
Languages
English
Admissions
California Bar
Education
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D. 1994
Reed College, B.A. 1984