- J.D., University of California, Davis, 2022
- M.S., Soils and Biogeochemistry, University of California, Davis, 2019
- B.A., Biology, Whitman College, 2015
- The State Bar of California
- California State Courts
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
- Former Editor, UC Davis Law Review
- Former Editor, Environs, the Environmental Law and Policy Journal
- Selected for inclusion in the Rising Stars sections of the 2026 Northern California Super Lawyers® magazine
In her free time, Louisa enjoys working in the garden, lounging on the beach, knitting sweaters, visiting local breweries, and caring for two oddball cats.
- Outside counsel to Yuba County Water Agency for various matters involving compliance with CEQA, the federal Endangered Species Act, and other state and federal environmental laws
- Counsel to Californians Against Waste in litigation over the proper implementation of state recycling laws
- Counsel to Buzz Oates Construction regarding CEQA compliance and development within airport land use plan boundaries
- Outside counsel to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for various CEQA matters
- Counsel to Homewood Village Resorts LLC and JMA Ventures LLC in various matters relating to CEQA compliance and obtaining land use permits from Placer County and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Cases Needed
- Assisting local water agencies with environmental review and permitting for diverse water infrastructure and operations projects to improve flood control, water supply reliability, and riparian and aquatic habitat.
- Assisting private developers of various mixed-use, senior, and affordable housing projects to complete environmental review, obtain administrative approvals, and successfully defend against legal challenges.
Louisa joined the firm in 2022. Her practice focuses on environmental law, land use and planning, water law, and administrative law generally. Louisa represents public agencies and private entities through all phases of the land use entitlement and permitting processes, from preparing and reviewing complex environmental documents, to local agency administrative approvals, to trial and appellate litigation.
Before pursuing a legal career, Louisa earned a Master of Science in Soils and Biogeochemistry from the University of California, Davis, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Whitman College. Louisa researched carbon cycling in natural and agricultural systems and taught a range of subjects (including ecology, soil and water physics, and analytical methods) to graduate and undergraduate students. Louisa’s combined technical and legal backgrounds make her well-suited to help clients navigate complex environmental matters.
J.D., University of Texas, Austin, 2001
B.A., Geography, University of Texas, Austin, 1995
● The State Bar of California
● California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
● California State Courts
● U.S. District Courts, all California Districts
● Sacramento County Bar Association
● Environmental Law Section
● Lead Articles Editor, Texas Environmental Law Journal, 2000-2001
● Editor, California Land Use & Policy Reporter, 2005-2008
● Contributing Author, Environmental Law Updates, Environmental Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, 2017-2020
● Selected for inclusion in the 2013-2022 Northern California Super Lawyers® magazine and Rising Stars section of the 2009-2011 Northern California Super Lawyers® magazine
● Former Member, Environmental Law Society, University of Texas School of Law
● Former Member, Public Interest Law Association, University of Texas School of Law
Hiking, camping, cooking, travel, and fitness Girls on the Run, Coach, Spring 2024
● Former Board Member, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership- Northern California Chapter
● Former Corporate Board Member, Francis House, Sacramento
● Outside counsel to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection in 2018-2020 with respect to the preparation of a programmatic environmental impact report for the California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP), which involves the use of prescribed fires and other techniques to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and to restore forest health, and in litigation over the approval of that project.
● Outside counsel to the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority regarding CEQA compliance for projects to reduce the risk of wildfires within Marin County.
● Representing the City of Los Angeles in several ongoing cases defending the City’s compliance with CEQA for various development projects.
● Representing the City of Livermore in litigation defending the City’s approval of a boutique hotel.
● Represented the Town of Loomis in litigation defending the Town’s approval of a new Costco store.
● Outside counsel to the City of Monterey in a variety of environmental and land use matters.
● Outside counsel to the City of Mountain View in a variety of environmental and land use matters.
● Outside counsel to the City of Santa Cruz for a variety of infill projects.
● Outside litigation counsel to the County of Humboldt in a variety of cannabis permitting and other land use matters arising under CEQA and the State Planning and Zoning Law.
● Outside litigation counsel to the San Francisco Unified School District in litigation under CEQA challenging the District’s proposal to study the removal of a mural in George Washington High School.
● Counsel to RainTree Investment Corporation regarding land use entitlements and CEQA compliance for portions of the Green Valley Specific Plan area in Perris, California.
● Counsel to various developers of Dollar General stores regarding compliance with CEQA and local land use regulations.
● Jointly represented the California High-Speed Rail Authority with the California Attorney General’s Office to defend the Authority’s environmental review for individual project segments of the future statewide high-speed train system;
● Successfully defended the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board in litigation challenging the environmental review for the Board’s electrification and modernization project to improve the Caltrain commuter rail service on the San Francisco Peninsula;
● Successfully defended the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s CEQA compliance for a freight rail service contract assignment and rail repair work, upheld by the Santa Cruz County Superior Court;
● Representing landowners in Folsom and Roseville in the environmental review and subsequent implementation of specific plans for future residential and commercial development.
● Defended the San Mateo County Community College District in cases challenging facility improvements at the College of San Mateo. In 2016, the California Supreme Court decided in the District’s favor a key question regarding the standard of review for agency decisions to rely on CEQA’s subsequent review provisions.
● Defended the City of Monterey’s approval of a city-wide streetlight replacement project for energy efficiency in litigation challenging the City’s reliance on a categorical exemption from CEQA, upheld by the Sixth District Court of Appeal.
● Represented Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Americas in successfully navigating CEQA, CESA, and local land use entitlement processes to obtain a conditional use permit in November 2008 for a new 103-MW wind power project on private land in Shasta County. Ms. Teller assisted RES in developing a strong biological and cultural resources mitigation program, working cooperatively with the County of Shasta, resource agencies, and environmental and tribal interests to avoid litigation after project approval.
United Neighborhoods for Los Angeles v. City of Los Angeles (2023) 93 Cal.App.5th1074
Claremont Canyon Conservancy v. Regents of the Univ. of Cal. (2023) 92 Cal.App.5th 474 (for amicus)
Save the Hill Group v. City of Livermore (2022) 76 Cal.App.5th 1092
Hollywoodians Encouraging Rental Opportunities v. City of Los Angeles (2019) 27 Cal.App.5th 768
Georgetown Preservation Society v. County of El Dorado (2018) 30 Cal.App.5th 358
Westsiders Opposed to Overdevelopment v. City of Los Angeles (2018) 27 Cal.App.5th 1079
Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo County Community College Dist. (2017) 11 Cal.App.5th 596
Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo County Community College Dist. (2016) 1 Cal.5th 937
Save Our Big Trees v. City of Santa Cruz (2015) 214 Cal.App.4th 694 • Keep Our Mountains Quiet v. County of Santa Clara (2015) 236 Cal.App.4th 714
Citizens for a Green San Mateo v. San Mateo County Community College District (2014) 226 Cal.App.4th 1572
California Clean Energy Committee v. City of Woodland (2014) 225 Cal.App.4th 173
Habitat and Watershed Caretakers v. City of Santa Cruz (2013) 213 Cal.App.4th 1277
Tomlinson v. County of Alameda (2012) 54 Cal.4th 281
California Native Plant Society v. City of Rancho Cordova (2009) 172 Cal.App.4th 603.
Shasta Resources Council v. U.S. Dept of Interior (E.D.Cal. 2009) 629 F.Supp.2d 1045
Vineyard Area Citizens for Responsible Growth, Inc. v. City of Rancho Cordova (2007) 40 Cal.4th 412
Friends of the Sierra Railroad v. Tuolumne Park and Recreation Dist. (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 643
Save Our Neighborhood v. Lishman (2006) 140 Cal.App.4th 1288
The Pocket Protectors v. City of Sacramento (2004) 124 Cal.App.4th 903
Sierra Club v. County of Napa (2004) 121 Cal.App.4th 1490