On June 30, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a sweeping package of California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and housing-related reforms—calling them “groundbreaking and transformative” for California’s housing landscape. In this episode, host Manny Fishman is joined by Alicia Guerra, Northern California Chair of Buchalter’s Land Use and Entitlement Group, and Jason Brandman, Senior Vice President at FirstCarbon Solutions. Together, they unpack what these reforms mean for developers, property owners, and cities—especially those pursuing multifamily housing in California’s urban centers.

Whether you're navigating a project currently under review or planning a future development, this discussion offers early insights and practical guidance.

Read Alicia Guerra’s in-depth client alert here:

Effective Immediately: California Adopts Consequential Reforms to CEQA and Other Laws to Speed Housing Production

Buchalter Disclaimer: This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No listener should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that listener. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.

In this episode, Manny Fishman, Northern California Chair of the Real Estate Group at Buchalter, sits down with Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance—San Francisco’s largest Community Benefit District (CBD). With 27 city blocks and $21 billion in assessed value, Union Square plays a vital role in the city’s economic and cultural landscape. Marissa shares how her legal background and strong leadership helped steer the district through post-pandemic recovery, her advocacy work before city officials, and what’s next for this iconic neighborhood. Whether you’re a property owner, policymaker, or real estate professional, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Buchalter Disclaimer: This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No listener should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that listener. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.

In this episode, Manny Fishman, Northern California Chair of the Real Estate Group at Buchalter, sits down with Lionel Bochurberg, a corporate partner in the firm’s San Diego office, and firm’s authority on the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). They unpack the March 26, 2025 interim final rule that dramatically alters CTA compliance requirements—particularly the elimination of the need for many real estate start-ups and entities to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report. Tune in to learn what this change means for your business.

Buchalter Disclaimer: This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No listener should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that listener. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.

Is your business prepared for increased immigration enforcement? The Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies have created a complex environment for businesses. Join host Manny Fishman and Buchalter law experts Daniel Silva and Kripa Upadhyay as they break down the current landscape and offer practical advice. Learn your rights, including the rights of Building staff, develop a preparedness plan, and protect your business and employees in this crucial podcast episode. This podcast is a companion to Buchalter’s Immigration Task Force Client Alerts on immigration enforcement actions.

Buchalter Disclaimer: This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No listener should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that listener. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.

Join our host, Manny Fishman and our guests Peter McGaw and John Epperson, distinguished environmental legal experts from Buchalter as they explore the impact on commercial real estate of two hazardous waste disposal laws: the California Hazardous Waste Control Act and the California Medical Waste Management Act. In this podcast we unpack the complexities of these laws and discuss their direct implications for office buildings, shopping centers and industrial properties across the state.

From understanding legal requirements to implementing best practices, this podcast equips you with valuable insights into mitigating risks and preventing citations for violations. Tune in as we delve into the intersection of environmental law and commercial real estate.

Disclaimer: This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No listener should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that listener. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.

Join Manny Fishman as he interviews JLL Senior Director, Erik Hanson to discuss the changing environment for investors purchasing real estate in 2024 and 2025, including the debt markets, longer term hold periods and the impact of large near term debt maturities on transactions.

Disclaimer: This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No listener should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that listener. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.

Join us for Buchalter’s third annual installment of our dynamic energy podcast, hosted by Buchalter real estate chair for Northern California, Manny Fishman. Manny is joined by Jon Kendrick, an energy and real estate lawyer at Buchalter, and Gridium CEO, Tom Arnold.

The podcast focuses on the latest developments shaping the energy landscape, with discussions spotlighting the recent Federal appeals court decision overturning a natural gas ban in new real estate developments adopted by the City of Berkeley. We also explore the impact of announced increases in PG&E rates and offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the evolving energy market. Our discussion concludes with a focus on strategies to integrate energy efficiency into commercial building operations.

This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that reader. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.

Manny Fishman, Northern California Chair of the Buchalter law firm Real Estate Practice Group discusses recent legislative developments, regulatory trends and the ability of California’s electric grid to meet the demands for electric power with industry experts Tom Arnold, of Gridium, a San Francisco based energy software and consulting firm, and Jon Kendrick, an energy and real estate lawyer at Buchalter, in the first of two podcasts on this topic.

Disclaimer: This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No listener should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that listener. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.