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, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act issues for the U.S. E.P.A. 

Ed has worked the last 20 years advising environmental and community groups, homeowners, and California cities, counties and special districts.  Mr. Yates has over 20 years advising and litigating under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and pursuing compliance with endangered species, zoning and planning, and open government laws.

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

Ed has extensive experience representing clients before Regional Water Quality Boards,  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, and cities and counties across California. 

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 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. 

Ed assists low income residents as a volunteer lawyer with the Marin County Lawyers in the Library program and volunteers as a scorer in the Marin High School Mock Trial Program.

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     eyates@marinlandlaw.com