Steady Counsel

An accomplished, earnest, and direct lawyer who sees the law as a means to an end, not an end in itself.

Andrew advises clients on the permitting of large-scale energy and real estate development projects on private lands in California and on federal public lands across the western United States. He represents some of America’s largest private and publicly traded corporations before local, state and federal regulatory agencies on a daily basis, from Washington D.C. down to city councils.

Andrew’s practice focuses on environmental impact review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), permitting under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and California’s planning and zoning laws, incidental take authorizations under the Endangered Species Act, and compliance with other related federal and California natural resources laws.

Before founding his own firm, Andrew was a Partner at the law firms of Downey Brand LLP and Marten Law PLLC.

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Approaching natural resource and land use legal issues with a litigator’s eye—and tenacity—and a deep commitment to renewable energy.

Zak advises renewable energy companies, real estate developers, and other businesses on land use and environmental permitting matters. Informed by his broad litigation experience, he helps project proponents craft legal strategies and environmental impact disclosure documents that will not just survive legal challenges, but deter them.

Zak’s practice centers around the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Endangered Species Act, and other federal, state, and local environmental and land use laws.

In addition to orienteering clients through the legal thickets of land use law, Zak has also successfully represented plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts in a variety of environmental and commercial disputes.

Prior to joining Bell Kearns, Zak practiced at the boutique law firms of Marten Law PLLC and Larkins Vacura Kayser LLP in Portland, Oregon. He has been recognized as an Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2018.

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A strategic thinker and trusted advocate helping clients navigate complex permitting and development issues.

David advises clients on the permitting of utility-scale solar, wind, geothermal, and energy storage projects. He has served as outside counsel on the development of over six gigawatts of projects with another four gigawatts in development.

David’s practice focuses on environmental impact analysis, endangered species, water quality, wetlands, and federal public lands issues, and working with federal, state, and local agencies to obtain necessary development approvals. He possesses significant federal and state court litigation and administrative appeal experience.

David is a Chambers USA ranked attorney and has received numerous professional awards and recognition for his work in the environmental and energy fields, including receipt of the prestigious California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (CLAY) award for his pro bono litigation success protecting California’s deserts from unauthorized off-highway vehicle use.

Prior to joining Bell Kearns, David served as a Partner at Farella Braun + Martel LLP and as an Appellate Attorney with the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. David clerked for the Honorable Robert H. Henry on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

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Advising clients on permitting renewable energy projects located on private and federal public lands in California and throughout the western United States.

Alexa counsels clients on regulatory compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and other federal, state, and local land use laws.

Alexa is also experienced in working with contaminated properties, including litigating cost recovery actions, conducting environmental due diligence for real estate transactions, and drafting prospective purchaser agreements and environmental indemnity agreements.

Alexa started her career as a legislative aide in Nebraska’s nonpartisan unicameral legislature. With no official parties, caucuses, or whips, it was up to every member and their staff to chart their own course with the meager resources afforded a part-time legislature amid a devastating recession. And chart her course she did, through law school at Harvard to clerkships for Alaska Supreme Court Justice Joel Bolger and for Chief Judge William Jay Riley of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. After completing her clerkships, Alexa practiced at Gordon & Polscer, LLC and Marten Law LLP before joining BK.

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Combining skilled advocacy, industry focus, and a passion for the environment in service of sustainable development and a responsible transition to a clean energy future.

Reed advises clients on land use and natural resources regulatory compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other federal, state, and local regulations. Reed has represented renewable energy companies and other organizations in permitting negotiations with regulatory agencies at every level, including the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and county and municipal governments. Reed has extensive experience conducting due diligence and supporting renewable energy transactions for federal and private projects in California and throughout the western United States.

Reed also has experience litigating federal contamination and emissions cases under CERCLA and the Clean Air Act, leading administrative appeals before the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Interior Board of Land Appeals, advising companies on EPA and CARB vehicle emissions standards, and conducting environmental due diligence in the context of national and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Bell Kearns, Reed practiced at the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP. In law school, Reed served as a contributing editor of the Michigan Law Review, co-chair of the Environmental Law Society, co-chair and founder of the Food Law and Policy Association, and student attorney in the Environmental Law Clinic and International Refugee Assistance Project.

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