- J.D., University of California, Davis School of Law, 2006 (top 25%)
- B.A., Philosophy, University of California, Davis, 2002 (minor, Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning)
- State Bar of California
- California State Courts
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Courts (Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts)
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Executive Committee (2010-2016)
- Chair of the Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Executive Committee (2016)
- Editor, California Land Use Law and Policy Reporter (2010-2015);
- Volunteer Editor, Continuing Education of the Bar, 2020 Municipal Law Handbook;
- Selected for inclusion in the 2019-2025 Northern California Super Lawyers® magazine and Rising Stars section of the 2010-2018 editions
Laura enjoys reading and writing literary fiction, and her work has been published in literary magazines and recognized with awards. She also enjoys art, interior design, and restoring older homes.
- Represent the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) in its environmental review under CEQA and NEPA for numerous major transit projects throughout the Los Angeles region, including the Westside Purple Line (D Line) Extension, the Regional Connector, the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, the Southeast Gateway Extension (formerly the West Santa Ana Branch), the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, the Green Line (K Line) to Torrance Extension, the K Line Northern Extension, and the Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit Project.
- Represent the Del Puerto Canyon Water District NEPA compliance and in defending against CEQA challenges to the Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir Project in state court.
- Represent the Yuba County Water Agency as an intervenor in federal court Endangered Species Act litigation regarding the Daguerre Point Dam and Englebright Dam on the lower Yuba River
- Advise the Austin Transit Patnership on NEPA compliance for the Austin Light Rail Project.
- City of Los Angeles v. Federal Aviation Administration (9th Cir. 2023) 63 F.4th 835
- Sierra Club v. County of Fresno (2020) 57 Cal.App.5th 979
- Parkford Owners for a Better Community v. County of Placer (2020) 54 Cal.App.5th 714
- Sierra Club v. County of Fresno (2018) 6 Cal.5th 502
- Placerville Historic Preservation League v. Judicial Council of California (2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 187
- Beverly Hills Unified School District v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (2015) 241 Cal.App.4th 627
- Citizens for Open Government v. City of Lodi (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 296
- South County Citizens for Smart Growth v. County of Nevada (2013) 221 Cal.App.4th 316
- Planning and Conservation League v. Castaic Lake Water Agency (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 210
- California Native Plant Society v. County of El Dorado (2009) 170 Cal.App.4th 1026
- Ms. Harris has litigated in California and federal trial and appellate courts for nearly 20 years and has been counsel of record in numerous published appellate decisions.
- Successfully defended the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s environmental review for the Regional Connector Project and the Westside Purple Line (D Line) Extension in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including the California Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit.
- Advises public agencies and project sponsors on complex CEQA and NEPA compliance for major transportation, infrastructure, and water projects.
Laura Middleton is a senior counsel whose practice focuses on land use and environmental law, with particular emphasis on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). She has nearly two decades of experience advising on and litigating complex environmental reviews for major infrastructure and transit projects. She joined the firm in 2006 and advises clients through all phases of the land use entitlement and environmental review process, including administrative approvals, permitting, and litigation.
Her work frequently involves major public infrastructure, water, and transportation projects requiring coordinated state and federal environmental review. Ms. Middleton’s practice addresses a wide range of environmental and planning issues, including the State Planning and Zoning Law, the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), air quality, climate change, water quality, natural resources, wetlands, endangered species, vehicle miles traveled, affordable housing, and related matters.
Ms. Middleton has played a key role in the successful defense of numerous CEQA appeals, including several resulting in published decisions. She is currently defending several matters involving CEQA, NEPA, and the ESA.
- J.D., University of California, Davis, School of Law, 2006
- B.A., Philosophy, University of California, Davis, 2002
- State Bar of California
- Environmental Law Section
- California State Courts
- U.S. District Courts (Eastern, Central and Northern Districts)
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Sacramento County Bar Association
- Executive Committee (2010–2015); Chair (2016)
- Former Chair, Sacramento County Bar Association, Environment Law Section Executive Committee (2016)
- Editor, California Land Use Law and Policy Reporter (2010-2015)
- Volunteer Editor, Continuing Education of the Bar, 2020 Municipal Law Handbook
- Selected for inclusion in the 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers® magazine; selected for inclusion in the Rising Stars section (2010-2018)
Hiking, camping, cooking, travel, and fitness Girls on the Run, Coach, Spring 2024
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