California’s 2025 CEQA Reforms: Broad Exemptions, Local Impacts, and Legal Ambiguities

In an effort to tackle California’s persistent housing shortage and accelerate infrastructure development, California has enacted the most substantial reform to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in decades, explain John Nelson and Daniel Rockholt. They note the changes mark a dramatic shift in how housing and certain infrastructure projects will be reviewed, permitted, and challenged under California environmental law. Among the topics they cover are new exemptions for infill housing projects, how smaller projects may see more benefits, and new exemptions for infrastructure and services. At the crux of the issue is the term “urban use,” which could cause confusion and legal headaches.

When Must Private Fund Managers File as an Exempt Reporting Adviser in California?

Some private fund managers in California face potentially dire consequences if they fail to properly register with the state and the SEC, note Jennifer Trowbridge and Kelsey Tidgewell. Failing to adhere to relevant securities laws could lead to fines and other monetary penalties, as well as reputational damage. In this new article, Jennifer and Kelsey help corporate investors learn if under existing regulations they are considered an investment advisor subject to reporting obligations, and if so, what those obligations are.

📽️ Startup Legal Series: Licensing

A smart approach to licensing can bring startups welcome new revenue streams and position themselves for greater wealth at exit. Helen Goldstein, co-leader of our Technology Transactions and Licensing practice, provides plain-language insights on the keys to negotiating and structuring favorable licensing agreements that align with their short- and long-term business goals.

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Leading SoCal Real Estate and Land Use Attorney Jordan Ferguson Joins Procopio as Partner

Real estate and land use attorney Jordan Ferguson has joined Procopio as its newest Partner from Venable’s Los Angeles office. Based in Procopio’s Orange County office, Jordan assists clients with a wide variety of legal matters, including real estate transactions, obtaining land use entitlements and approvals, and the navigation of the state’s evolving California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) regulations. 

Jordan advises corporate clients on all manner of real estate, land use, environmental, government contracts, and regulatory compliance matters. He regularly addresses entitlement processes, licensing and development agreements, and regulatory compliance issues. Jordan also assists in negotiating with government entities, and drafts and defends bid protests at the city, county, and state levels. He is experienced at guiding clients through environmental impact analyses and issues related to CEQA and keeps up on its evolving impact on current and future real estate projects.

”Procopio is a world-class law firm, and I am excited for the opportunity to work with the Real Estate and Land Use teams,” said Jordan. “I cannot wait to see what we can build together in the months and years to come.”

Join our 3-Part Capital Markets Webinar Series for Public Companies

Attention public company GCs and C-suite executives! You won't want to miss this new complimentary Procopio webinar series "Staying Ahead: Practical Strategies for Public Company Success."

Public companies face increasing scrutiny and evolving challenges. Three experienced attorneys on our Capital Markets and Securities team are here to help you stay ahead with three upcoming webinars:

Pending 1 hour CLE approval per session

• August 27: “Navigating SEC Reporting in 2025: Avoiding Costly Compliance Pitfalls,” with Ruba Qashu and Jennifer Trowbridge
• September 17: “Raising Capital: Trends, Traps and Tools for Public Companies,” with Ruba Qashu and Jennifer Trowbridge
• October 1: “Boards, Governance and Shareholder Activism: What Public Companies Need to Know,” with Dennis Doucette

2025 Procopio International Litigation & Arbitration Retreat | San Diego, CA

Four Procopio attorneys will speak alongside numerous current and retired judges and other legal experts at PILAR, an annual forum where litigators from the United States and Mexico come together to analyze the legal challenges impacting both jurisdictions. Major policy shifts in the U.S. and Mexico will be among the topics discussed.

2025 Procopio International Tax Institute | San Diego

Celebrating its 20th anniversary and held again in collaboration with the Graduate Tax Program of Georgetown University and International Fiscal Association, this premier educational and networking event is again dedicated to the latest developments in U.S. and Mexican international tax law. This year's PITI comes as tax policies are evolving with the new U.S. and Mexican presidential administrations.

High-Performance Computing and Storage Provider Wins Key Contracts

Congrats to client One Stop Systems on securing a new contract with the U.S. Navy that expands their commercial relationship, as well as a separate defense-related contract. OSS is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of rugged, high-performance edge computing and storage hardware, software and systems based in Escondido, California.

Dennis Doucette, co-leader of our Capital Markets and Securities practice, has provided OSS corporate legal assistance for almost a decade, and led their Nasdaq initial public offering in 2018. Other key attorneys assisting OSS are Jennifer Trowbridge and Helen Goldstein.

Artist’s Family Trust Secures Painting Acquisition by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

Kudos to our client, the Yolanda López Legacy Trust, on the acquisition by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery of one of Yolanda López’s paintings to display in its Washington, D.C., gallery. The work is titled "Runner: Mandeville Center," from the series ¿A Donde Vas, Chicana? Getting through College. It depicts her running as an act of rebellion during her MFA studies at the University of California San Diego, where she felt isolated as a Chicana artist.

Our own Brooke Oliver facilitated the acquisition on behalf of the Trust.

Kudos to Sara Neva on being named a finalist in the San Diego Business Journal 40 under 40 competition! This is the latest of several accolades for Sara, including recognition by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.

We’re honored to host the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mexico, Jonathan Heath, at our downtown San Diego office August 21, where he’ll discuss economic trends in Mexico and what they mean for those of us on this side of the border. All are invited to hear this Banco de México leader discuss cross-border trade dynamics, currency fluctuations, the economic policy intentions of U.S. and Mexican leaders, and what it all means for the San Diego-Tijuana market. Register now for this complimentary event organized by AEM Mexico (US–MX Business Association).

Nearly 30 Procopio attorneys and staff took part August 2 in a community-wide effort to raise money for cancer research. They were among the more than 2,800 participants in the Curebound Cancer Challenge event in San Diego that raised more than $3 million. Formerly Padres Pedal the Cause, this year’s event featured several cycling races ranging from 25 miles to 75 miles, various runs including a 10K, as well as a station for those wishing to ride stationary bikes. Participants met the challenge with financial commitments and sought sponsors to help them meet those donation goals. 

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