Chris Deleau
Special Projects Manager
A Licensed California Attorney and Certified Professional Planner with a distinguished background of accomplishments in Municipal, Residential, Commercial and Agricultural Planning and Consulting. Uniquely qualified, combining a comprehensive knowledge of the field with outstanding organizational, communication and client relations skills.
Education
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, CA Juris Doctorate, 2001
- Witkin & Cali awards for Academic Excellence in Legal Writing (4.0 G.P.A.)
- Thomas Jefferson Medal for Academic Excellence
- SBA Third-Year Class Representative
- Thomas Jefferson Deans List (2002)
- National Deans List (2002)
- LSAT Scholarship
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- Bachelor of Arts in American Literature, 1998
Professional History
- 2003 – Present Schmitz and Associates, Inc., Malibu, CA
Special Projects Manager & General Counsel - 1987 – Present Clover Leaf Properties, LLC, Venice, CA
Owner & General Counsel
Admissions
- American Institute of Certified Planners (2008)
- State Bar of California (2003)
- Current Candidate for Certified Environmental Planner (CEP) Certification (May 2015)
Memberships
- American Planning Association (2007-present)
- California Planning Association (2007-present)
- California APA Legislative Review Committee (2005-6)
- American Bar Association
- California Bar Association
Qualifications
Spearhead ambitious projects to optimize outcomes; identify and resolve persistent issues and forge productive partnerships among stakeholders. Engage, brief and advise high-level decision makers within complex organizations to ensure free and productive flow of information. Counsel and assist those within and in association with governmental agencies to adopt best practices in compliance with applicable laws. Personable and articulate; represent organizations effectively in the public arena. Strong public speaking and advocacy skills. Bilingual in Spanish. Highly proficient in MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, Project & PowerPoint.
Significant experience as Special Projects Manager at Schmitz and Associates, Inc., a leading Land Use Planning Firm with a notable roster of clients within public and private sectors. Lead a wide variety of both public and private sector projects, providing direction to Senior & Associate Planner teams through all phases of planning and entitlement in multiple jurisdictions.
Adept in site and public agency research and analysis, as well as preparation of feasibility and development standards in the City of Malibu, City and County of Los Angeles, County of Ventura, County of Santa Barbara, City of Newport Beach and other California jurisdictions. Conduct Forward Planning, including assessment of proposed changes to state and local law.
Forge productive relationships with representatives of key State agencies including the California Coastal Commission, Cal Trans, State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Board and State Lands Commission. Liaise with Local Public-Sector Planners and Officials, facilitating entitlements for numerous projects throughout California.
Expertise and practical experience in the California Coastal Act & Local Coastal Programs, CEQA, Subdivision Map Act, Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Fish and Game Code, Water Code and other California Law. Successfully represent clients before the California Coastal Commission, Planning Commissions, City Councils, Environmental & Design Review Boards, the Los Angeles County Regional Water Quality Control Board and in other public forums. Experience with Code Violations, Cease and Desist Orders and Restoration Orders.
Read and assess topographic surveys, architectural, grading and drainage, landscaping and erosion control, and SUSMP plans, geology and soils reports, biology and archeology studies. Coordinate revisions with design professionals to conform to codes and achieve client objectives consistent with sound planning practice.
Assist in the preparation of and facilitate the processing of Local Coastal Program Amendments, Environmental Impact Reports, MNDs, Public Works Projects, Development Agreements, Zone Text Amendments. Respond to public comments from stakeholders in a collaborative, productive and timely manner.
Act as Expert Witness and Litigation Consultant to attorneys litigating land use and real estate cases. Prepare Administrative Records for CEQA lawsuits on behalf of client and municipality. Litigate Land Use & Collections Cases as Corporate Counsel on behalf of Schmitz & Associates.
Additional experience as Owner & General Counsel at Clover Leaf Properties, LLC. Ensure legal and financial compliance for multi-family residential properties in West Los Angeles and Venice.