EXPERIENCE

Ed began his career working in federal and international environmental law. He negotiated international treaties as an Assistant General Counsel with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, managed the Cuba-U.S. Environmental Law Program for the Ocean Conservancy and worked on NEPA, and Clean Water Act (CWA) issues for the U.S. E.P.A. 

On behalf of environmental and community groups, Ed has successfully litigated and prevailed in CEQA, Planning and Zoning, Forest Practice Act, Brown Act, and Public Record Act cases in state court and Endangered Species Act cases in Federal Court.

Ed also has extensive experience advocating before administrative agencies, e.g. Regional Water Quality Boards,  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, and cities and counties across California. 

Ed is admitted to practice in California, and Federal Northern and Eastern District Courts in the Ninth Circuit.   Ed is a member of the California Native Plant Society Litigation Advisory Committee. 

BACKGROUND, EDUCATION AND MEMBERSHIPS

Ed was born and raised in Marin County with San Francisco roots going back to 1849. He received a Political Science degree with an emphasis on environmental planning from UC Davis.  He received a Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law where he was a member of the school’s Law Review and recipient of the James R. Webb Award for highest grades in land use, environmental and real property law.  Ed served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras before starting his law career.   

​Ed assists low income residents as a volunteer lawyer with the Marin County Lawyers in the Library program and volunteered in the Marin High School Mock Trial Program.   Ed has gained favorable results for pro bono clients, including: 1)  assisting low income women obtain restraining orders in domestic violence cases, and 2) obtaining refugee status for Central American teens threatened by gangs and corrupt police agents. 

An avid outdoors  enthusiast, Ed has hiked and biked in 45 countries on 4 continents and is always interested to hear of interesting natural and historical places in California. 

       Law Office of Edward E. Yates    2060 Sutter St. #403, San Francisco, CA 94115
415-990-4805     [email protected]