Redevelopment Law 

Green, de Bortnowsky & Quintanilla has a state-wide reputation in redevelopment law.  The Firm has served as general and/or special counsel to a number of cities and redevelopment agencies throughout the State.  A list of representative redevelopment clients is included in Section IV. 

In this area of practice, the Firm has represented its clients in virtually every aspect of redevelopment law.  It has advised municipalities on the initial determination of whether to create a redevelopment agency, including the potential benefits as well as the restrictions and limitations imposed by law.  It has performed all necessary legal work in connection with the initial formation of agencies, including preparation of operating guidelines and procedures, and has advised such agencies of the provisions of the Community Redevelopment Law for filing and reporting requirements. 

The Firm has provided all necessary advice in the formation of numerous redevelopment project areas and the adoption of  redevelopment plans, assisting its clients in the process of formation and adoption from inception to implementation.  The Firm has written special legislation for clients whose needs were not addressed in the existing redevelopment law and has assisted in the effort to adopt such legislation.  In the recent past, the Firm served as counsel in the adoption of the largest multijurisdictional redevelopment project area in the State of California and continues to provide legal advice in the implementation of that plan. 

Green, de Bortnowsky & Quintanilla possesses a depth of experience in assisting its clients in the preparation of long-term strategies designed to achieve the agency's goals in the most efficient manner, and provides daily representation to accomplish those goals.  In that regard, the Firm has had years of experience in the preparation of a wide variety of owner participation and disposition and development agreements.  In these matters, the Firm has assisted in negotiating the terms of agreements with developers and property owners, prepared all of the necessary documents to effectuate the agreements, advised the agency as to publication and notice requirements and other pertinent provisions of the law, coordinated with other public agencies where required, advised the agencies as to the application of various environmental statutes, including the California Environmental Quality Act, and served as litigation counsel in the defense of challenges to redevelopment plans or specific projects where necessary. 

The Firm has been involved with a great variety of substantial projects on behalf of its redevelopment clients, including large scale commercial projects, "big box" retail outlets, auto malls, major office structures and large recreational and sporting facilities.  It has assisted in the creation of a number of housing-related programs, including in-fill housing, first time buyer mortgage assistance, single family rehabilitation, multi-family construction and mobile home park conversion.  In all of these programs the Firm has assisted its clients in the initial stages of development or program creation and has provided services with respect to the implementation of the development or program.

As redevelopment counsel, Green, de Bortnowsky & Quintanilla adds an important dimension to its scope of representation by bringing to bear its recognized skills in public finance.  This area of the Firm's practice, discussed in detail below, allows the Firm to provide its clients with sophisticated advice on the financial means of accomplishing an agency's goals, which when coupled with the Firm's extensive redevelopment skills, maximizes the client's ability to bring to reality the projects and programs which will best serve the public interest. 

In addition to public finance, the  Firm has extensive experience with a broad range of environmental and litigation matters, each of which is discussed below.  When combined with Green, de Bortnowsky & Quintanilla's redevelopment and financial expertise, these practice areas enable the Firm to provide its redevelopment clients with the full range of legal services which are necessary to accomplish the goals set by statute and required by the community.  The Firm is dedicated to assisting agency staff by providing timely and cost-effective representation and by being responsive to the agency's requirements.  The Firm's nineteen year history in this area of the law attests to its success in meeting it clients' needs.