Meet Tina Wallis
California CEQA Attorney and Agency Counsel

A highly regarded land use attorney and authority on California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Tina Wallis guides clients through complex entitlement and permitting processes, CEQA compliance, litigation challenging entitlements and permits, and due diligence for complex land use and environmental issues.

Her representation of private developers, public agencies, and environmental groups combines understanding of the intricacies of CEQA with experience in preparing and defending every type of CEQA document.

In the area of permits and housing, Tina navigates the complexities of California’s land use, water, and endangered species laws on her clients’ behalf, resolving critical environmental, natural resource, project development, and sustainability issues. 

As agency counsel, Tina represents private and public entities in general matters, working through advisory, transactional, and litigation channels to help clients accomplish their goals.

Tina Wallis began her legal career advising counties, cities, and special districts on land use, public works, general government, airport, and landfill matters. During this time, she built a reputation as a fair and respectful problem solver, and is thus esteemed by those with whom she negotiates on her clients’ behalf. Tina serves both the legal and wider communities as an advocate for affordable housing, youth services, and excellence in the study and practice of law.

SELECT INDUSTRY / CLIENT LIST

• Public Sector/Government – Schools, Homeless Shelters, Alternative Energy Systems, Conservation Easements
• Construction/Developers – Subdivisions, Shopping Centers, Housing, Mixed Use Projects
• Hospitality – Luxury Resorts, Hotels, Retreat Centers, Inns, Distilleries, Breweries
• Agriculture/Wine – Wineries, Vineyards, Tasting Rooms, Commercial Composting
• Quarry Operations – Quarries, Asphalt Plants, Commercial Composting

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AFFILIATIONS

• Former Board Member – Sonoma County Bar Association
• Former Judge Pro Tem – Sonoma County Small Claims Court
• Professor – Environmental Law; Legal Research & Writing
• Environmental Negotiations Team – Empire College of Law
• Member – Santa Rosa Junior College Paralegal Studies Advisory Board
• Vice Chair – Sonoma County Bar Association Bench-Bar Committee
• Board Member – Homes for California (dba Homes for Sonoma)
• Board President – Social Advocates for Youth

SPEAKING TOPICS

• CEQA Updates, Trends, and Hot Topics
• CEQA Compliance: Wildfire Analysis, Water Analysis
• Obstacles to Affordable Housing
• Land Use Entitlement/Permits: Fast Track to Approval

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science, University of California, Davis, 1993
• Juris Doctor, Vermont Law School, 1997