James L. Arnone

Jim Arnone retired from the partnership in June 2025. He had extensive experience helping clients navigate complex state and federal environmental laws related to transformative development projects as well as litigation over the legal obligations of local, state, and federal governmental bodies.

He had particular experience in the following areas:

• Compliance with state and federal environmental laws
• Infrastructure, energy, and real estate development projects
• Litigation over the legal obligations of local, state, and federal governmental bodies

At the time of his retirement, Jim was a frequent author and lecturer on environmental, climate change, and real estate law. He co-authored a global climate change chapter in an ABA-published Environmental Litigation book, co-edited the Water Quality section of the California Municipal Law Handbook, and authored various articles and Client Alerts on new developments in land use and environmental law. Most recently, Jim was recognized by the Daily Journal as one of California’s Top 50 Development Lawyers.

Jim served the firm in several management roles, including having served as Global Chair of the Environment, Land & Resources Department, Global Co-Chair of the Environmental Litigation Practice Group, and Deputy Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office. Jim also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California Law School, where he taught Environmental Law for 25 years. At the time of his retirement, Jim also served on the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, where he served as Chair of its Environmental Policy Committee. Jim spoke in many venues on environmental and real estate development topics, including CEQA, land use, global climate change, and various environmental laws. Jim co-chaired a day-long CEQA symposium annually for 17 years, convening highly distinguished faculties from government, consulting firms, and the legal community. He also served on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Environmental Law Section, during which he chaired several committees.