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  • German

Biography

Keith has broad experience helping clients resolve the issues that arise in the vast majority of development projects: environmental review and regulatory compliance, property rights assessments and acquisition, eminent domain and inverse condemnation, soil and ground water assessments and clean-ups, project construction claims and more. Keith’s experience encompasses a wide range of projects including surface and subsurface water facilities, electric power transmission, renewable energy generation, private developments, and transportation projects throughout California.

Keith’s extensive litigation experience encompasses bench and jury trials, binding and non-binding arbitrations, mediations and appellate work, with negotiated resolutions at every step of the way. He regularly appears in state and federal courts, and has been retained as a litigation expert, mediator and referee for eminent domain issues. Keith has been lead counsel in some of the highest valued single parcel eminent domain acquisitions in California history.

His public agency, property owner, and public utility clients regularly turn to Keith to help resolve real property, natural resource, and environmental disputes in their projects. This includes issues related to easements, rights of way, land use and zoning restrictions, complex title issues, major public improvement projects, CEQA/NEPA, water rights and drainage, land subsidence, renewable energy projects, subsurface mineral and gas rights, public and private construction projects, and environmental compliance issues.

Keith is a sought-after speaker and writer on eminent domain, natural resources and environmental law matters, and has presented or been a panelist for organizations such as the International Right of Way Association, Association of California Water Agencies, Appraisal Institute, ABA Real Property Section – Environmental Subcommittee, California Special Districts Association, West Coast Landmens Association, and the Orange County City Attorneys Association.

Other Info About Keith

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Representing a major regional transportation agency on property acquisition and project implementation related to the expansion of the Los Angeles transportation system, including the resolution of issues that arise due to the competing objectives of multiple stakeholders in these extraordinarily complex projects involving some of the most expensive real estate in the nation.

Assisting a large publicly-regulated utility on several major electric transmission line projects that will aid California in its efforts to reach renewable energy mandates, develop greater renewable energy resources, and lessen the load of greenhouse gases.

Representing a state-wide agency in its projects designed to enhance water resources throughout the state and at the same time manage and help preserve the existence of recognized water rights together with the quality of California’s water.

Education

Law School

University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 1989

Undergraduate School

Brigham Young University, B.A., Political Science, 1985

Bar Memberships

Keith is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

California, 1989

Firm Committees

Keith serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Lateral Partner Recruiting Committee, Member

Presentations

Keith was invited to speak at the following events:

“Intricacies of Project Development and Management with an Eminent Domain Perspective,” International Right of Way Association Fall Seminar, Montelbello, California, October 29, 2019