Dana Kennedy is a strategic and pragmatic partner through every step of the CEQA and land use entitlement process.
Dana focuses her practice entirely on land use entitlements, a notoriously complex undertaking statewide and particularly in the Bay Area. Dana advises landowners, tenants, developers, and investors at every stage of the land use process, from diligence to public hearings, administrative appeal proceedings, and project implementation. She offers thoughtful guidance throughout the CEQA process, with an eye towards defensibility against project opposition. For residential projects, she will adeptly leverage the ever-expanding slate of state housing laws, such as the Housing Accountability Act (including the “Builder’s Remedy”), State Density Bonus, and SB 330 protections. She negotiates public/private real estate arrangements, such as development agreements, and has drafted and secured general plan amendments and rezoning actions. Dana has successfully entitled a diverse range of projects, from high-rise mixed-use residential towers in the heart of San Francisco to large single-family home subdivisions in smaller jurisdictions, and commercial, industrial, and institutional development projects up and down California.
More than a decade of experience has also given Dana access to decisionmakers and strategic consultants. This is because she is relatable and practical; people are willing to work with her to move a project forward.
Dana was previously a shareholder at Miller Starr Regalia. She started her career at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in San Francisco. Dana was also a law clerk at the United States Attorney’s Office in San Diego, California.
Michigan Law School Community and Economic Development Clinic, advising small business and non-profit organizations dedicated to the economic revitalization of Detroit, Michigan in connection with their land use needs.