A former professional city planner, Ed Shaffer excels in achieving positive outcomes for environmental, land use, and real estate law clients. He manages regulatory practices and resolves objections by interested parties such as neighborhood groups, planning staff and decision makers.
Focused on California Property Owners, Developers and Governments
Ed represents real estate developers, commercial and industrial property owners, and public agencies. He is well versed in EIRs, development agreements and vested rights, general plans and zoning, use permits and subdivision matters.
Pushing Project Approvals and Navigating Political Concerns
A major aspect of his practice involves guiding projects through the complex requirements of CEQA environmental review and development approval. In the process, Ed is able to strengthen the defensibility of approvals at risk of litigation.
His prior career as a city planner and planning consultant gives him special insight into the priorities of public officials and the best path to winning approval. Ed is known for his attention to detail without losing sight of the client’s overall goals, whether spotting serious errors in an EIR, negotiating key terms of a contract, or making sure that approval conditions are workable.
Structuring Sophisticated Real Estate Transactions
Ed works with both buyers and sellers negotiating complex real estate options and purchase agreements, performing due diligence for the transactions, clearing title issues and helping close the deal. He also handles property rights matters, resolving and documenting easements and related issues.
Committed to the Bay Area Business Community
Ed is active in the Contra Costa Council, an advocacy organization promoting the economic vitality and quality of life in Contra Costa County, the Bay Area, and the state. These efforts involve close interaction with public officials at local, regional and state levels of government as well as key business leaders.