Intro
Niran Somasundaram focuses his practice on land use, environmental law, and regulatory compliance. He advises landowners, developers, and public agencies on the full spectrum of land use and environmental regulatory matters, including land use due diligence, entitlement strategy, and complex permitting. Niran has deep experience preparing and processing entitlement applications; ensuring compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and related state and local land use and environmental legislation; and representing clients in administrative proceedings before federal, state, and regional agencies — including the Environmental Protection Agency, State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and state environmental agencies.
Clients turn to Niran for his extensive experience designing entitlement strategies for housing projects across California, guiding developers, property owners, and public agencies through the state’s rapidly evolving housing laws and streamlining tools. His work includes preparing and advancing complex residential projects under Senate Bill 330, the Builder’s Remedy, Density Bonus Law, and other state housing laws. He regularly advises clients on strategic use of these laws to maximize development potential, reduce discretionary risk, and capitalize on ministerial or accelerated approval pathways. Niran’s hands on experience in drafting statewide housing legislation and shaping statutory reforms, including contributing to revisions of AB 1893 and other Housing Accountability Act updates, strengthen his ability to help clients interpret and harness new legislative opportunities at the earliest stage.
In addition to housing, Niran frequently leads entitlement efforts for non residential and innovation sector projects throughout California. His experience includes advising clients on the complex land use, zoning, environmental, and infrastructure requirements associated with biotechnology facilities, autonomous vehicle testing and deployment sites, renewable energy and grid resilience infrastructure, and data centers. Across both residential and non residential projects, Niran also has significant experience drafting and negotiating development agreements, leases, and other supporting contracts with public entities.
Niran also advises both private parties and government agencies on compliance with environmental laws at the local, state, and federal levels, including air quality regulations administered by Local Air Districts and the California Air Resources Board, and water quality requirements enforced by the State and Regional Water Boards and the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, Niran represents clients in administrative proceedings, and in land use and environmental litigation before state and federal agencies and courts. His litigation experience includes drafting and responding to injunctions, preparing pleadings, managing dispositive and procedural motion practice, conducting written discovery, working with expert witnesses, and performing the trial focused work necessary to defend or advance project approvals.
Niran is the firm liaison for the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), sits on the Greenbelt Alliance’s Climate SMART Development Endorsement Committee, and is a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI).
Areas of Focus
Education
Academic Distinction
Ecology Law Quarterly, Programs Director, Managing Editor
Environmental Conservation Outreach, SLPS Leader
Admissions and Courts
Defending an industrial rendering facility in an administrative enforcement action brought by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) premised on SCAQMD Rule 415 governing such facilities, and subsequent litigation regarding the facility’s compliance with SCAQMD Rule 415.
Representing an industrial cement recycling facility in responding to Notices of Violation (NOVs) from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) alleging particulate emissions in excess of permitted levels.
Assisting a large residential development in creating a legally defensible quantification methodology for the proportion of greenhouse gas reduction required to demonstrate compliance with State of California and CARB climate goals.
Advising numerous private developers and municipalities on compliance with municipalities Climate Action Plans, Local Air District Air Quality Plans (AQPs), the CARB Scoping Plan, and the federal Clean Air Act.
Advising numerous private developers and municipalities on development of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) methodology to quantify mobile emissions associated with development projects.
Advising numerous private developers and municipalities on compliance with Air District regulations governing Criteria Air Pollutant (CAP), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Toxic Air Contaminant (TAC), and Greenhouse Gas Emissions associated with construction and operations of developments in urban and rural areas.
Urban Land Institute
“La Cañada Flintridge Doubles Down on Builder’s Remedy Fight,” The Real Deal (May 2023)
“How One City’s NIMBY Attitude is Being Challenged by Developers Desperate to Build,” Los Angeles Times (April 2023)
“Biden’s Plan for EVs,” ABC 10 News (August 2021)
“Biden Environment Agenda Spurs Early Pivots, Attacks in Court,” Bloomberg Law (April 2021)
Best Lawyers (2023-2026); Best Lawyers: One to Watch (2025-2026)
California Lawyers Association, Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Legal Services Award (2022-2023)
“Justices Widen Gap Between Federal, Calif. Enviro Reviews,” co-author, Law360 (June 2025)
“California’s Clean Air Act Waiver Victory is in for a Wild Ride,” author, Daily Journal (January 2025)
“Calif. Warehouse GHG Proposal Would Likely Face Lawsuits,” Law360 (March 2021)
“DC Court of Appeals Strikes Down Trump EPA’s ACE Rule,” co-author, Daily Journal (January 2021)
“Recent Trends in EPA-Manufacturing Enforcement Actions,” co-author, Industry Today (June 2020)
“Housing Law 101,” California Lawyers Association (January 2026)