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Biography

Tina focuses her practice on advising counties, cities and special districts on land use, public works, general government, airport and landfill matters. She is also an authority figure on California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Tina guides private and public sector landowners and developers through complex entitlement and permitting processes, CEQA compliance, litigation, challenging entitlements and permits, and due diligence for complex land use and environmental issues.

Prior to joining FBT, Tina built a reputation as a fair and respectful problem solver, and is thus esteemed by those with whom she negotiates on her clients’ behalf. Tina serves both the legal and wider communities as an advocate for affordable housing, youth services and excellence in the study and practice of law.

Address: 3558 Round Barn Blvd., Ste. 200, Santa Rosa

*Please note that Tina’s association with Santa Rosa, CA is not a formal FBT office location.

Tina's Relevant Experience

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Tina works with property owners and applicants to develop strategies that minimize risks and challenges related to project approvals under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  Her goal is to ensure that her clients’ projects can move forward in a timely, cost-effective and defensible manner. Ms. Wallis has worked on EIRs, MNDs, Exemptions and subsequent CEQA review for over 25 years.

Land Use

Tina guides private and public sector clients through environmental review and securing permits for projects in compliance with state and local laws. She also represents developers in limited aspects of acquisitions or sales who wish to develop property, or where the property is entitled but the proposed project has not yet been built.

Tina helps California landowners and developers resolve issues related to city and county ordinances and codes, as well as general public agency laws. From application submission through litigation and obtaining vested rights, she commits the full extent of her experience and resources to achieving the necessary balance between project and environmental requirements.

Her experience is essential to clients wishing to mitigate risk. She is committed, detail oriented, and works with all relevant agencies to meet every requirement that expedites a solution as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Environmental Law

Tina represents clients in all aspects of Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and other state and federal regulatory requirements.

Other Info About Tina

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Housing – Market Rate, Affordable, and Emergency Shelters

Construction and Developers – Subdivisions, Shopping Centers, Housing, Retenating, Mixed Use Projects

Subdivisions – Tentative Maps, Vesting Tentative Maps, Final Maps

Public Sector and Government – Schools, Homeless Shelters, Alternative Energy Systems, Conservation Easements

Hospitality – Luxury Resorts, Hotels, Retreat Centers, Inns, Distilleries, Breweries

Agriculture/Wine – Wineries, Vineyards, Tasting Rooms, Commercial Composting, Fruit Production

Quarry Operations – Quarries, Asphalt Plants, Reclamation Plants

Religious Institutions

Vested Rights

Education

Law School

Vermont Law School, J.D., 1997

Undergraduate School

University of California, Davis, B.S.,1993

Bar Memberships

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

California

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Sonoma County Bar Association, Former Board Member

Sonoma County Small Claims Court, Former Judge Pro Tem

Santa Rosa Junior College Paralegal Studies Advisory, Board Member

Sonoma County Bar Association, Bench Bar Committee, Chair

Empire College of Law (now Monterey College of Law) | Environmental Law, Legal Research & Writing, Professor; Environmental Negotiations Team

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Former Board President – Social Advocates for Youth

Homes for California (dba Homes for Sonoma), Board Member

Presentations

Tina was invited to speak at the following events:

“Semiannual CEQA Updates, Trends and Hot Topics,” Sonoma County Bar Association 2008-Present

“CEQA Compliance: Wildfire & Evacuation Impact Analysis, Argent Communications,” California Land Use Law & Policy Conference 2024

Major Publications

Tina is an author or contributor to the following publications:

“CEQA’s Wildfire & Evacuation Requirements,” Author, North Bay Business Journal, November 2023

“Crafting a General Plan for Sonoma County’s future,” Author, Press Democrat, May 2024

“California Environmental Quality Act’s Wildfire Impact Analysis Requirements,” Author, Argent Publications, February 2024

“Impact Fee Calculations May Change,” Author, North Bay Business Journal, May 2024

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