Tina Thomas

Representative Projects

• Golden State Warriors Arena – Represented lead agency throughout the administrative process at the trial court and the appellate court.
• Raley’s Freeport – Represented applicant throughout the administrative and appellant process.
• SACOG’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) – Assisted SACOG over the course of a two-year administrative process leading to the approval of its first MTP/SCS and certification of the associated Program Environmental Impact Report for the plan in 2012. No litigation was filed challenging the MTP/SCS approval. The agency’s second SCS was adopted in 2016 and no litigation was filed. Recently, SACOG approved its third MTP. A CEQA challenge is pending in the Sacramento County Superior Court.
• Metropolitan Transportation Commission (TMC) – Assisted MTC during the three-year administrative process leading to approval of the Plan and certification of an Environmental Impact Report. Represented MTC and ABAG in litigation challenging both Plan approval and EIR certification. Of the four lawsuits that were filed, two were settled. The remaining two petitions for writ of mandate were denied in their entirety by the trial court in Bay Area Citizens v. ABAG and The Post Sustainability Institute v. ABAG. The Bay Area Citizens decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in a published decision and the Post Sustainability trial court decision was fully affirmed by the Appellate Court. Petitions for Review to the Supreme Court were both denied. In 2017 MTC approved its second MTP/SCS and no litigation was filed. The agency’s third MTP/SCS is currently underway.
• The Greenbriar Project – Represented prior project applicant during the administrative permitting process and successfully secured the appropriate land use entitlements and EIR certification for the project. Successfully defended project approvals in litigation, filed by Environmental Council of Sacramento. Judge Timothy M. Frawley of the Sacramento County Superior Court ruled in favor of the City of Sacramento and Real Parties on all claims.

Published Decisions

• Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters v. City of Los Angeles (2022) 76 Cal.App.5th 1154
• Coalition for an Equitable Westlake/MacArthur Park v. City of Los Angeles (2020) 47 Cal.App.5th 368
• Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish & Wildlife (2017) 17 Cal.App.5th 1245
• Mission Bay Alliance v. Office of Community Investment & Infrastructure (2016) 6 Cal.App.5th 160
• East Sacramento Partnerships for a Livable City v. City of Sacramento (2016) 5 Cal.App.5th 281
• Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2016) 1 Cal.App.5th 452
• Bay Area Citizens v. Association of Bay Area Governments (2016) 248 Cal.App.4th 966
• Center for Biological Diversity v. Department of Fish and Wildlife (2015) 62 Cal.4th 204
• North Coast Rivers Alliance v. Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors (2013) 216 Cal.App.4th 614
• Pocket Protectors v. City of Sacramento (2004) 124 Cal.App.4th 903
• Riverwatch v. County of San Diego (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 1428
• Chaparral Greens v. City of Chula Vista (1996) 50 Cal.App.4th 1134
• Western States Petroleum Association v. Superior Court (1995) 9 Cal.4th 559
• Sacramento County v. Local Agency Formation Commission (1992) 3 Cal.4th 903
• City of Sacramento v. State Water Resources Control Board (1992) 2 Cal.App.4th 960
• Oro Fino Gold Mining Corp. v. County of El Dorado (1990) 225 Cal.App.3d 872
• Citizens of Goleta Valley v. Board of Supervisors (1990) 52 Cal.3d 553
• Baily v. County of El Dorado (1985) 162 Cal.App.3d 94
• Environmental Planning and Information Council v. Superior Court (1984) 36 Cal.3d 188
• Environmental Council of Sacramento v. County of Sacramento (1982) 135 Cal.App.3d 428
• Environmental Planning and Information Council v. County of El Dorado (1982) 131 Cal.App.3d 350
• Perley v. County of Calaveras (1982) 137 Cal.App.3d 424
• Rural Landowners Association v. City of Lodi (1982) 143 Cal.App.3d 1013
• Sutter Sensible Planning, Inc. v. County of Sutter (1981) 122 Cal.App.3d 813

Announcements

5 related items

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Blogs

15 related items

Publications

18 related items

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Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

• She Shares, 2012-present
• The Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, Advisory Committee Member, 2017-present
• John Burton Advocates for Youth, Board of Directors, 2006-present
• Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Member Emeritus, 1989-present
• Meristem, Board Member, 2018-present
• Steinberg Institute, Chair of the Board, 2018-present
• Loaves & Fishes, Pro Bono Counsel, 1995-present
• Mercy Housing, Pro Bono Counsel, 2019-present
• Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Member, 1981-present
• California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section, Member, 1979-present
• Women Lawyers of Sacramento, Member, 1982-present

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Honors & Rankings

• Best Lawyers in America^©, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, 2025
• Super Lawyers, Northern California Super Lawyers, Environmental, Land Use/Zoning, 2005-2024
• Cottage Housing, Beacon of Hope Honoree, 2012
• Sacramento Magazine, The Power & Influence 100, 2008
• Sacramento Magazine, 50 Most Powerful People, 2006
• Sacramento County Bar Association, Distinguished Attorney, 2005
• Sacramento County Bar Association, Downey Allen Justice Award, 1999
• Sacramento Business Journal, Women Who Mean Business, 1998
• Sacramento Magazine, Lawyers with a Cause, 1987
• Sacramento Magazine, The Class of ‘85 Best and Brightest, 1985