Professional Biography

Laura G. Zagar Partner

San Francisco Office Managing Partner

  • San Francisco

    D +1.415.344.7198

    F +1.415.344.7050

    San Francisco

    505 Howard Street, Suite 1000

    San Francisco, CA 94105-3204

    +1.415.344.7198

    LZagar@perkinscoie.com

  • San Diego

    D +1.858.720.5748

    F +1.858.720.5799

    San Diego

    11452 El Camino Real, Suite 300

    San Diego, CA 92130-2080

    +1.858.720.5748

    LZagar@perkinscoie.com

loader

Overview

Laura Zagar guides clients in the development of multijurisdictional water, energy and infrastructure projects, and complex litigation. Laura plays a prominent part in innovative energy, water, and infrastructure projects in the Western United States, including proposed offshore wind and transmission projects, the restoration of the Klamath River through removal of four dams, and SCE’s Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project. She also provides counsel on the innovative recycling of stormwater, agricultural runoff, and wastewater for potable and irrigation purposes under development by Monterey One Water.

From permitting and environmental regulatory review to completion of construction, Laura directs legal services for her clients’ large-scale projects at every stage. Her effective counseling and leadership on projects often require collaboration with environmental, energy, and engineering experts on natural and cultural resources, transmission planning, geology, energy modeling, toxicology, fate and transport, remediation, and other issues. Laura also advises emerging clean tech companies on regulatory compliance for technologies new to the market.

Energy, Water, and Infrastructure Project Development
In the energy sector, Laura represents utilities, energy developers, public agencies, and other clients before federal, state, and local agencies. Her project experience includes numerous major electric transmission lines; renewable generation (including offshore wind, onshore wind, hydropower, solar, and biomass); conventional generation; and microgrids.

Laura has extensive experience with proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and other state agencies, as well as the transmission planning process conducted by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).

The water sector is another focus of Laura’s practice. From pipelines to reservoirs and dams, Laura has advised on projects related to water transportation, storage, hydropower, and recycling.

Laura also provides counsel on due diligence for transactions related to the development and operation of energy and infrastructure projects.

Environmental and Natural Resources Regulatory Counsel
Highly experienced with federal, state, and local authorities overseeing the development of energy and infrastructure projects, Laura represents clients before federal and state regulatory bodies.

Laura has built productive relationships with a wide range of regulatory authorities and agencies including Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), California’s State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, California State Lands Commission, and California Coastal Commission.

Laura provides clients with comprehensive counseling on compliance with a wide array of environmental statutes. Areas of her focus include the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), federal and California Endangered Species Acts (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), California’s Porter-Cologne Act, and Federal Aviation Act. Laura also advises clients on statutes and regulations governing the use of federal lands, including the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and the National Forest Management Act (NFMA).

Litigation and Administrative Proceedings
Laura represents clients in appellate federal and state litigation over the approval of energy and infrastructure projects as well as environmental and toxic tort litigation. Laura has represented clients in appeals of agency decisions, including those issued by the CPUC.

Legal and Community Leadership
A leader in the community, Laura serves as the managing partner of the firm’s San Francisco office. She serves as the secretary for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and is a member of the board of advisors for University of San Diego’s Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC). She is also on the board of directors for the Equality California Institute, the largest statewide LGBTQ rights organization in the nation.

California Land Use and Development Report image

Legal Commentary on Planning and Development

Insights into legal issues relating to development and use of land and federal, state and local permitting and approval processes.

VISIT THE CALIFORNIA LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT LAW REPORT

Ranked by Chambers USA Three Years in a Row

Environment
Nationwide: Offshore Energy

Professional Recognition

  • Listed in Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Environmental Lawyers, 2024
  • Listed in Thomson Reuters “Stand-out Lawyers,” 2024
  • Ranked by Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyer" for Environment, 2021 – 2023; Offshore Energy, 2023
  • SD Metro, "40 Under 40 Award," 2016
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America: CleanTech Law, 2016 – 2024
  • Recommended by The Legal 500: Industry Focus: Environmental - Transactional and Regulatory; Real Estate and Construction: Land Use/Zoning, 2015
  • Daily Journal, "Top Women Lawyers," 2013
  • Law360, Rising Environmental Star, 2012

Professional Leadership

  • Cleantech San Diego, Board of Directors
  • Conference of California Public Utility Counsel, Member
  • San Diego County Bar Association, Member
  • Energy Bar Association, Member

Community Involvement

  • Equality California Institute, Board Member
  • National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Board Member

  • Princeton University Annual Giving Campaign, Volunteer
  • UCLA School of Law, Law Firm Challenge, Volunteer

Related Employment

  • Latham & Watkins LLP, San Diego, Partner, Associate, 2004 – 2014

Clerkships

  • Hon. James Browning, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • Hon. Nora Manella, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Experience

News

Insights

RELATED INFORMATION

Bar and Court Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Education

  • UCLA School of Law, J.D., Order of the Coif, 2002
  • Princeton University, A.B., cum laude, 1999