Practice Areas
Practice Description
Ricia Hager practices environmental law, land use law, and public law. Ms. Hager regularly advises public agencies on compliance with all aspects of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), and federal and state laws regulating air quality, water quality, endangered species, and historic resources. Ms. Hager also litigates environmental and land use cases in state and federal courts.
Ms. Hager’s published opinions include Protect Tustin Ranch v. City of Tustin (2021) 70 Cal.App.5th 951; Protect Our Neighborhoods v. City of Palm Springs (2022) 73 Cal.App.5th 667; W.M. Barr & Co., Inc. v. South Coast Air Quality Management District (2012) 207 Cal.App.4th 406; and Natural Resources Defense Council v. South Coast Air Quality Management District, 661 F.3d 1066 (9th Cir. 2011).
Professional Activities
Ms. Hager is a member of the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals. She is also a member of the environmental law sections of the Orange County Bar Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Representative Matters
Ms. Hager has represented public agencies throughout California regarding an expansive range of private and public projects including freeway, rail, sewer, commercial, residential, mixed- use, industrial, and aviation projects. These have included, among others:
- A downtown renewal project, including 955 residential units, 400,000 square feet of commercial and office space, and 620 hotel rooms
- A crude oil refinery infrastructure project
- A $1.7 billion freeway expansion project
- A 605-room resort hotel with a 105,000 square foot indoor water park
- A marine outfall system rehabilitation project near an endangered species preserve
- A multi-modal transit station and mixed-use activity center
- The Orange County Sustainable Communities Strategy (OC SCS), a sub-regional plan designed to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets established under the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) and the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375)
Relevant Publications & Presentations
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- Presentations:
- Association of Environmental Professionals, “Advanced CEQA Workshop”
- Association of Environmental Professionals, California State Conference, “Do You Have a Commitment Problem – When is CEQA Compliance Required During the Public Works Process?”
- Association of Environmental Professionals, California State Conference, “Into the Vortex: The Ever Expanding Reach of the CEQA Administrative Record (Including Your Files?)”
- State Bar of California, Environmental Law Section, “The Intersection of Land Use, Climate Change, and Toxic Air Contaminants”
- Lorman Education Services, “CEQA: California Environmental Quality Act”
- Publications:
- Editor, California Municipal Law Handbook, “Protecting the Environment” (2015, 2016)
- Editor, California Municipal Law Handbook, “Growth Management” and “Exactions: Fees and Dedications” (2009)
- Presentations:
Education
- University of California, Hastings College of the Law (J.D., 2004)
- University of California, Irvine (B.A., cum laude, 2000)