Education
J.D., cum laude, Albany Law School
B.A., magna cum laude, University at Albany, State University of New York, Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
California
New York
Memberships
Downtown San Diego Partnership: Governance Committee, Vice-Chair (2022)
American Inns of Court, Louis M. Welsh Chapter
Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL)
San Diego County Bar Association: Past President, 2017; President, 2016; Board of Directors, 2013-2017; Environmental & Land Use Section, 2011 chair, Civil Litigation Section; Construction Law Section, Real Property Section; Conference of California Bar Associations Committee, 2008 Chair; Judicial Election Evaluation Committee
Building Industry Association of San Diego County: (build)sd PAC, Board of Directors and Secretary; Young Generation of Leaders (yGen) Council, 2009-2011 Board of Directors
Lawyers' Club of San Diego: 2011 Political Boot Camp Planning Committee; Annual Spring and Halloween Read-In Participant
State Bar of California, Civil Litigation Section; Environmental Law Section, former co-author Environmental Law Update
University of San Diego’s Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate: Policy Advisory Board
Urban Land Institute (ULI) San Diego/Tijuana Chapter, Transit Oriented Development Council
Heather’s reputation as a go-to land use and environmental attorney—trusted by both developers and public agencies—hinges on two essential qualities: her attention to detail in solving complex project planning puzzles and her knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act’s (CEQA) strict regulations and processes.
For commercial and residential developers and real estate firms with multi-state endeavors looking to get discretionary projects approved, Heather’s successful track record covers all angles. From the initial acquisition to the oversight of land use documentation and entitlement approvals, she makes sure that the project files contain evidence to support the agency's determination. If a third party files a project or CEQA challenge, Heather has all the tools and skills necessary to vigorously defend her clients’ positions in litigation. She regularly takes cases through to final judicial hearings in trial and appellate courts.
Having worked with the City of San Diego on various land use and regulatory updates, Heather is a reliable development resource for local leaders and agencies.
Heather’s clients appreciate her critical ability to translate the technical aspects of their projects into language that can be understood by a non-technical audience, for example, decision makers, citizens, and judges. She maintains excellent working relationships with agency professionals and consultants throughout Southern California and conducts cordial and productive interactions with opposing lawyers and environmental groups—many of whom she knows and has successfully negotiated with time and again.
Among the many thorny issues Heather routinely faces in getting projects approved is quantifying and addressing the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Where previously the focus of permit approvals was placed on the logistical effects of additional traffic created by new developments, today, the concern is overall GHG emissions produced by that traffic. In projects that are not walkable or do not have nearby public transit options, Heather draws on her experience and informed perspective to make a case for development, while taking into consideration developer and environmental risks.
One of the unique attributes Heather brings to client matters is her understanding of how government agencies work—or don’t work. With nearly a decade of involvement in New York State politics prior to joining the Allen Matkins San Diego office, she knows how to navigate bureaucracies and overcome their high hurdles.
Among the most challenging land use developments that Heather has worked on is One Paseo in San Diego—what was once the last large vacant piece of land in the Carmel Valley neighborhood. After completing seven years of administrative processes, including several rounds of CEQA review, the developer faced two lawsuits and a referendum to overturn the favorable political decision. Thanks to the diligence, knowledge, and level-headedness of Heather and the Allen Matkins team, the developers were able to settle the lawsuits and remove the threat of referendum—coming to an agreement with neighbors and the nearby shopping center.
For commercial and residential developers and real estate firms with multi-state endeavors looking to get discretionary projects approved, Heather’s successful track record covers all angles. From the initial acquisition to the oversight of land use documentation and entitlement approvals, she makes sure that the project files contain evidence to support the agency's determination. If a third party files a project or CEQA challenge, Heather has all the tools and skills necessary to vigorously defend her clients’ positions in litigation. She regularly takes cases through to final judicial hearings in trial and appellate courts.
Having worked with the City of San Diego on various land use and regulatory updates, Heather is a reliable development resource for local leaders and agencies.
Heather’s clients appreciate her critical ability to translate the technical aspects of their projects into language that can be understood by a non-technical audience, for example, decision makers, citizens, and judges. She maintains excellent working relationships with agency professionals and consultants throughout Southern California and conducts cordial and productive interactions with opposing lawyers and environmental groups—many of whom she knows and has successfully negotiated with time and again.
Among the many thorny issues Heather routinely faces in getting projects approved is quantifying and addressing the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Where previously the focus of permit approvals was placed on the logistical effects of additional traffic created by new developments, today, the concern is overall GHG emissions produced by that traffic. In projects that are not walkable or do not have nearby public transit options, Heather draws on her experience and informed perspective to make a case for development, while taking into consideration developer and environmental risks.
One of the unique attributes Heather brings to client matters is her understanding of how government agencies work—or don’t work. With nearly a decade of involvement in New York State politics prior to joining the Allen Matkins San Diego office, she knows how to navigate bureaucracies and overcome their high hurdles.
Among the most challenging land use developments that Heather has worked on is One Paseo in San Diego—what was once the last large vacant piece of land in the Carmel Valley neighborhood. After completing seven years of administrative processes, including several rounds of CEQA review, the developer faced two lawsuits and a referendum to overturn the favorable political decision. Thanks to the diligence, knowledge, and level-headedness of Heather and the Allen Matkins team, the developers were able to settle the lawsuits and remove the threat of referendum—coming to an agreement with neighbors and the nearby shopping center.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 101
Association of Corporate Counsel Webinar
9.28.22
10th Annual National Real Estate Women's Forum
Online Conference
3.05.21
Briefing on 2019 Housing Legislation
Allen Matkins Los Angeles Office
11.20.19
San Diego, California
3.08.19
Why Civic Engagement Matters to your Wallet
San Diego, California
8.02.18
Women and the Law Conference 2018
San Diego, California
2.09.18
Bisnow's Future of North County
San Diego, California
8.08.17
ACC Real Estate Roundtable: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
San Diego, California
2.24.17
Water and the Drought at the ABA Mid Year Meeting
San Diego, California
2.04.16
San Diego, California
12.04.15
Bisnow's San Diego Power Women in Real Estate
San Diego, California
6.25.15
Bisnow's San Diego Investment Summit
San Diego, California
4.23.15
Gregory Canyon and CEQA Reform: A Perfect Case Study
San Diego, California
10.08.13
Announcement
10.28.24
64 Allen Matkins Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®
Press Release
8.15.24
Two Allen Matkins Partners Named 2024 Women of Influence in Law by the San Diego Business Journal
Announcement
6.27.24
Press Release
8.17.23
2023 Women of Influence in Law
Heather S. Riley and Elizabeth N. Thompson in the San Diego Business Journal
Press Mention
6.26.23
Tim Hutter and Heather Riley Named to San Diego Business Journal’s ‘Top 100 Leaders in Law’
Press Mention
10.26.22
Press Release
8.19.22
Strong Fundamentals Lead to Bullish Sentiment About Multi-Family Market
3.09.22
Multi-Family Market Optimism Roars Back from Pandemic-Related Demand Drop
Winter 2022 Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California CRE Survey
2.09.22
Optimistic Outlook Predicted Across All Commercial Real Estate Sectors
Winter 2022 Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California CRE Survey
2.09.22
San Diego Bankers Hill High-Rise Sets Statewide Precedent on Density Bonus Law
Heather S. Riley in KPBS
Press Mention
2.07.22
4th District Publishes 2018 Ruling on Affordable Housing Development
Heather S. Riley in the Daily Journal
Press Mention
2.04.22
Court Upholds Density Bonus Law That Exempts Certain Housing Projects From Local Restrictions
Heather S. Riley in the San Francisco Chronicle
Press Mention
2.03.22
California’s Density Bonus Law Prevails with Recent Win in San Diego
1.25.22
Common Ground With Allen Matkins
12.17.21
San Diego Business Journal Women of Influence in Law 2021
Heather S. Riley in the San Diego Business Journal
Press Mention
6.28.21
Ruling Further Shifts Power of Housing Allocation From Cities
Heather S. Riley in the Daily Journal and The Daily Transcript
Press Mention
4.08.21
2021 Land Use, Environmental & Natural Resources Update
3.25.21
Lexology
Article
10.01.20
Judge Allows 20-Story Bankers Hill Project to Continue
Heather S. Riley and Jeffrey A. Chine in The Daily Transcript
Press Mention
7.17.20
Industrial Space Remains Hot, Multi-family Housing Still a Sure Bet, Office Has a Promising Future, and Retail Slumps Again
Press Release
2.05.20
California CRE to Expand in 2022
Winter 2020 Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California CRE Survey
2.05.20
Heather S. Riley in CoStar
Press Mention
9.05.19
California Supreme Court Reinforces CEQA’s Definition of a Project
8.26.19
Calif. Likely To Have More CEQA 'Projects' Following Ruling
Heather S. Riley in Law360
Press Mention
8.21.19
Article
11.27.18
50 Influential Leaders in San Diego
Heather S. Riley in The Daily Transcript
Press Mention
9.05.18
San Diego's Best Attorneys 2018
Jeffrey A. Chine, Timothy M. Hutter and Heather S. Riley in San Diego Metro
Press Mention
4.17.18
Influential Women in San Diego: Heather Riley
Heather S. Riley in The Daily Transcript
Press Mention
3.21.18
Why North County Cities Continue To Grow And Attract High-Paying Jobs
Heather S. Riley in Real Estate Bisnow San Diego
Press Mention
8.17.17
Implications of Energy Use Disclosure Law on California Real Estate Transactions
3.31.17
The Scariest Land-Use Issue For Investors
Heather S. Riley in GlobeSt
Press Mention
3.23.17
Fifty Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.08.16
San Diego's Best Attorneys 2016
Jeffrey A. Chine & Heather S. Riley in SD Metro
Press Mention
4.26.16
San Diego's Most Influential Business Leaders
Heather S. Riley in Our City San Diego
Press Mention
1.28.16
Riley Has Big Dreams for County Bar During Her Presidency
Heather S. Riley in The Daily Transcript
Press Mention
1.25.16
What Reverse CEQA Opinion Means
Heather S. Riley in GlobeSt
Press Mention
12.23.15
California Supreme Court Rejects Mandatory "Reverse CEQA" Analysis
12.18.15
2016 San Diego County Bar Association President Heather Riley
Heather Riley in San Diego Lawyer
Press Mention
12.10.15
Heather Riley to Lead San Diego County Bar Association as 2016 President
Press Release
11.16.15
New Legislation (AB 802) To Replace Existing Energy Use Disclosure Law (AB 1103)
10.23.15
Scenes From San Diego Power Women
Heather S. Riley in Real Estate Bisnow San Diego
Press Mention
6.30.15
56 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Nine Allen Matkins attorneys received special honors in their respective regions.
Press Release
6.26.15
Allen Matkins Elects Anthony Burney, Ted Fates, Heather Riley and Ryan Waggoner to Partnership
New Partners Based in Firm’s Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco Offices
Press Release
5.05.15
San Diego Entitlements Are Killing the Market
Heather S. Riley in Real Estate Bisnow San Diego
Press Mention
4.29.15
4.27.15
Press Release
12.11.14
8.25.14
Judiciary Report Paints Bleak Funding Picture
Heather S. Riley in The Daily Transcript
Press Mention
8.05.14
The Justice Drought: 2014 State of the Judiciary in San Diego County
By Heather S. Riley, co-author, in San Diego Lawyer
Article
8.01.14
11.26.13
Heather S. Riley in SD Metro Magazine
Press Mention
9.10.13
California Supreme Court Weighs in on the CEQA Projected Baseline Issue
8.08.13
4.22.13
Energy Use Disclosure Requirements Go Into Effect for Owners of Nonresidential California Buildings
2.19.13
4.25.12
Recent Lessons for Developers From the Environmental Bench
By Jeffrey A. Chine and Heather S. Riley in The Daily Transcript
Article
7.20.11
New U.S. Supreme Court Decision Clarifies Federal Diversity Jurisdiction Over Corporations
This alert applies to: Companies that operate in more than one state. Companies with corporate headquarters in one state, and business activities in other states. PLEASE CONTACT US if you have questions regarding this decision and how it may affect your company.
2.25.11
City of San Diego Level 2 Drought Restrictions Will Impact Businesses and Residents
This alert applies to properties and businesses that operate in the City of San Diego.
5.29.09
Proposed Greenhouse Gas CEQA Guidelines
4.17.09
Who is affected? CEQA Lead Agencies, including cities and counties; Water Suppliers and Wholesalers; and Project Applicants, including residential, commercial, retail, hotel, office and industrial developers if you are proposing to build a qualified development project in California.
4.25.08
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