Hanson Bridgett Announces 2025 Partner Promotions

January 2, 2025 (San Francisco, CA) - Hanson Bridgett LLP is pleased to announce that the firm has promoted Robin R. Baral, Catherine J. Groves, Christopher Powell and Rebecca D. Takacs to partner, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

“These promotions recognize our colleagues’ professional accomplishments, outstanding client service and dedication to our firm,” Hanson Bridgett Managing Partner Kristina D. Lawson said. “We welcome each of them to our partnership and look forward to their further contributions to Hanson Bridgett’s success.”

The new partners:

Robin R. Baral advises clients in land use, environmental and water law, guiding them through the planning, development, and entitlement process and associated local, state, and federal approvals for land development and public infrastructure. Baral has extensive experience assisting developers and local agencies with negotiating development agreements, process-specific plans, and complex entitlement packages, and conducting reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act. He also provides strategic counsel in response to state legislative and regulatory mandates, including housing policies and water management, waste disposal, and recycling requirements. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his law degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Catherine J. Groves focuses her practice on public agency law, serving as general counsel to several public transit authorities and as a key team member of other public transportation and transit organizations. She advises on various legal issues such as public contracts and procurements, legislation, fees and rates, governance laws, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, implementation of public grant programs, and ethics issues. Groves also helps clients navigate project delivery challenges in public contracting as well as complex procurement and infrastructure projects. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and her law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Christopher Powell focuses on land use and permitting on behalf of owners of businesses, development projects, and mining, mineral extraction and conservation projects. He advises clients on obtaining land use approvals and permits, initial real property due diligence, and negotiating purchase agreements through the application, environmental review and public hearing process, including addressing mitigation requirements and conditions of approval as well as any subsequent litigation or enforcement action. Powell has extensive experience in mining claims, project permitting on federal lands, and mineral rights and lease issues. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his law degree from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Rebecca D. Takacs focuses on construction matters as well as disputes in state and federal courts and in arbitration for a wide range of clients including owners and heavy civil, commercial, and residential contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. She counsels clients on bid protests; mechanics liens; and claims or disputes involving differing site conditions, delay and disruption, design errors and omissions, and construction defects. With a rigorous approach to early dispute resolution and litigation, she is experienced in all phases of litigation including legal research, discovery, depositions, motion practice, oral argument, arbitration, and trial. She received her undergraduate degree from Tufts University and her law degree from Fordham University School of Law.

About Hanson Bridgett LLP

Hanson Bridgett LLP is a full-service AmLaw 200 law firm with more than 200 attorneys across California. Creating a diverse workforce by fostering an atmosphere of belonging and intentional support has been a priority at Hanson Bridgett since its founding in 1958. We are dedicated to creating an environment that provides opportunities for people with varied backgrounds, both for attorneys and administrative professionals. As the first law firm recognized as a certified B Corp, we are committed to the communities where our employees live and work and consider it part of our professional obligation to serve justice by encouraging and supporting pro bono and social impact work.