Andrew M. Skanchy

Partner

Andrew Skanchy helps clients get projects done. Although the permitting process can be confusing and daunting, Andrew has extensive experience navigating clients through the morass and helping them achieve their objectives.

He has represented all types of clients, including cities, public transportation agencies, housing developers, mining companies, water districts, warehouse and commercial developers, school districts, and many more.

From the first inklings of a project, Andrew provides strategic guidance on entitlement considerations and getting a project through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes, with a primary goal of avoiding litigation. But, should litigation ensue, Andrew is adept at defending project approvals in both federal and state court, having successfully defended both public agencies and private developers when their projects are challenged under CEQA and NEPA.

Since moving to Sacramento, Andrew has immersed himself in the community, serving as a board member for the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, president of the Greater Broadway Business Improvement District, and a board member for the Urban Land Institute’s Young Leaders Group. He is a housing advocate in underserved neighborhoods and, in that regard, has personally developed multi-family housing—an experience that helps him better understand and empathize with the challenges faced by his clients.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Greater Broadway Business Improvement District, Board President and Chair of Economic Enhancement and Events Committee, 2019-present; Board Member since 1017
  • Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, 2000-present
  • Urban Land Institute’s Young Leaders Group, Board Member, 2012-2014
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
  • California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section

Honors & Rankings

  • Sacramento Magazine, Top Lawyer, Land Use/Zoning, 2023

Representative Matters

  • Fully litigated and prevailed defending Siskiyou County in writ petition challenging County’s vested
    rights determination for a gravel mining operation. (McMillan v. County of Siskiyou, 2020 Cal. App.
    Unpub. LEXIS 8114.)
  • Fully litigated and prevailed defending housing project against CEQA, planning and zoning law, and
    Brown Act claims (Citizens for Open & Pub. Participation v. City of Montebello, 2018 Cal. App. Unpub.
    LEXIS 709.)
  • Fully litigated and prevailed in NEPA litigation defending freeway project in Riverside County (Center
    for Biological Diversity v. Federal Highway Administration, Case No. CV-16-133-GW (C.D. Cal. 2017)).
  • Fully litigated and prevailed in defense of lead agency in CEQA litigation regarding Pomona College’s
    Master Plan environmental impact report (Citizens to Save College Avenue v. City of Claremont (2017)
    Case No. BS163235, Superior Court of Los Angeles).
  • Fully litigated and prevailed in the defense of two CEQA writ petitions challenging an environmental impact report and CEQA Addendum for an over 1,000-acre aggregate mine project in central California, including published
    appellate opinion (Friends of the Kings River v. County of Fresno (2014) 232 Cal.App.4th 105).
  • Advised clients on CEQA and NEPA issues related to the development of numerous wind and solar
    projects throughout California.
  • Provided strategic advice on the drafting of multiple environmental impact reports, including
    coordination with lead agencies and responding to comments, for mines, malls, and other developments.
  • Drafted amicus curiae brief on behalf of League of Cities and California State Association of Counties,
    leading to favorable appellate court decision upholding use of CEQA tolling agreements (SPAWN v.
    County of Marin (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 195).
  • Advised major railroad company on CEQA and NEPA issues for multiple projects, including new
    intermodal rail yard and new track construction.
  • Authored supplemental brief to California Supreme Court in precedent-setting CEQA case regarding
    timing of CEQA review (Save Tara v. City of West Hollywood (2008) 45 Cal.4th 116).
  • Negotiated quick, advantageous settlement of CEQA writ petition on behalf of snow park operator.
  • Conducted environmental due diligence review and prepared subsequent memoranda regarding
    environmental liabilities for $5.5 billion acquisition of Gerber Products Co. by Nestle SA.
  • Conducted environmental and permitting due diligence for large-scale mines, financing of major power
    plant, renewable energy projects, and multiple large, national real estate transactions.
  • Lead attorney for major international airport’s issues concerning potential air quality violations; met with
    and advised airport directors; negotiated settlement with air quality district.
  • Assisted in case strategy, drafting of summary judgment and other pre-trial documents, leading to a bench
    trial and a fully favorable federal district court ruling in dispute regarding the extent a local air district
    may regulate railroads (Assn. of Am. R.R. v. SCAQMD, No. 06-01416 (C.D. Cal. April 30, 2007)).
  • Handled all aspects of litigation, including depositions, written discovery, pleadings, oral arguments, and
    motion practice in CERCLA lawsuit, including successful motion to block addition of RCRA claims on
    procedural grounds (reported in Toxics Law Reporter) (Enns v. Flores, No. 1:07-CV-01043 (E.D. Cal.)).
  • Successfully advocated client’s concerns before state legislature regarding Clean Air Act’s preemption of
    proposed legislation to regulate Bio-Diesel fuels, leading to altered legislative language.
  • Advised national grocery chain and one of nation’s largest agricultural grower on regulatory compliance
    issues with California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).
  • Defended Clean Water Act citizen’s suit against international mining company.
  • Successfully persuaded California Regional Water Quality Control Board through letters and legal
    memoranda not to revoke Southern California municipality’s authority to issue wastewater permits, thus
    allowing a fiercely contested commercial development to proceed.

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Andrew enjoys coaching soccer teams for his three daughters, golfing, skiing, surfing, and rooting for University of Utah sports, where he played on the rugby team. Andrew is also an advocate for underserved communities. In 2020, he developed his first infill, multi-family housing project and is working on additional mixed-use projects in hopes of revitalizing underserved commercial corridors.

Andrew lived in Austria for multiple years and has promised his wife they can move there when she speaks German fluently (she is working on it). He also has performed as a singer/songwriter at multiple venues.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Greater Broadway Business Improvement District, Board President and Chair of Economic Enhancement and Events Committee, 2019-present; Board Member since 1017
  • Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, 2000-present
  • Urban Land Institute’s Young Leaders Group, Board Member, 2012-2014
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
  • California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section

Honors & Rankings

  • Sacramento Magazine, Top Lawyer, Land Use/Zoning, 2023