- 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 2013-2026 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
Sabrina is outdoors whenever possible. She enjoys solo hiking, glamping with her family in their Airstream trailer around California and the Pacific Northwest, paddleboarding, and spoiling her standard poodle. She’d rather be on a horse, but for now, she settles for bicycles. She reads and listens to 75+ sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books annually and aims to beat her previous year’s record.
- Outside counsel to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection in 2018-2020 with respect to the preparation of a programmatic EIR for the California Vegetation Treatment Program, which involves the use of prescribed fires and other fire fuel reduction techniques to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and to restore forest health. In 2025, she began assisting the Board again with respect to a comprehensive update to and further expansion of the program, expected to be approved in late 2026.
- Outside counsel to the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority regarding CEQA compliance for projects to reduce the risk of wildfires in Marin County.
- Representing the City of Los Angeles in numerous cases since 2014, defending the City’s compliance with CEQA and state and local land use laws for various development projects.
- Representing and advising Eldridge Renewal, LLC, regarding compliance with CEQA, the State Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act, and other land use laws applicable to a proposal to redevelop the former site of the Sonoma Developmental Center in Glen Ellen with 990 residential units, affordable housing, hospitality, and commercial uses.
- Outside counsel to the Cities of Folsom, Monterey, Mountain View, Santa Cruz, and the County of Humboldt for a variety of infill and other development projects.
- Advised and represented the City and County of Santa Cruz regarding CEQA compliance for several segments of the Santa Cruz Coastal Rail Trail, a 32-mile paved, multi-use pathway along the Santa Cruz branch line between Davenport and Watsonville.
- Advised and represented the City of Santa Cruz regarding CEQA compliance for its Wharf Master Plan to expand, strengthen, and revitalize the Santa Cruz Wharf for recreational and visitor-serving commercial uses and improve its structural defenses to climate-change-driven storms.
- Defended the San Mateo County Community College District in cases challenging campus improvements at the College of San Mateo. In 2016, the California Supreme Court decided in the District’s favor on a key issue regarding the standard of review for agency decisions to rely on CEQA’s subsequent review provisions.
- 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
Sabrina V.
Teller
SENIOR PARTNER
916.443.2745
SENIOR PARTNER
916.443.2745
SENIOR PARTNER
916.443.2745
Professional Highlights
- Successfully defended numerous public agencies and private clients in CEQA and land use litigation challenging a wide variety of projects, including the electrification of the Caltrain commuter rail line, repair of the rail line between Watsonville and Santa Cruz, and infill projects throughout the state.
- Advised state and local public agencies and private applicants regarding CEQA compliance and administrative approval for projects such as the California Vegetation Treatment Program and the Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management Program, local wildfire fuel reduction projects, specific plans, energy projects, infrastructure, and mixed-use and residential developments.
About Sabrina
Ms. Teller joined the firm in 2001 and became a partner in December 2006. She was RMM’s managing partner from 2021 to 2026, and now serves on the firm’s management committee. Ms. Teller represents public agencies, private applicants, and citizens’ groups in a wide variety of land use and environmental law matters. Ms. Teller handles all phases of the land use entitlement and permitting processes, from local agency administrative approvals through trial and appellate litigation.
Ms. Teller’s practice includes the California Environmental Quality Act, the State Planning and Zoning Law, the Subdivision Map Act, the California Coastal Act, the California Endangered Species Act, the California Water Code provisions relating to water supplies for development, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the federal Endangered Species Act.
Ms. Teller regularly teaches continuing education classes and seminars on land use and environmental law for her client agencies and professional organizations, such as the Association of Environmental Professionals and CLE International. She served as an editor for the California Land Use & Policy Reporter from 2005 to 2008.
- 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 2013-2024 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
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