Atty. Christopher R. Guillen
Natural resources attorney combining expertise in land use, CEQA and water resources issues. Specialized experience in infrastructure, real estate development projects and water-related litigation.
Profile Summary
About Christopher R. Guillen at a glance
Christopher R. Guillen is a zoning, litigation, and environmental attorney based in Santa Barbara, California, practicing at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP. Educated at Loyola Marymount University (J.D., 2014). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Land Use and Zoning Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental (2026). Serands clients in Santa Barbara, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Natural resources attorney combining expertise in land use, CEQA and water resources issues
- Specialized experience in infrastructure, real estate development projects and water-related litigation
- A committed team leader with an innovative, business-oriented approach to representation and advocacy
- With combined experience in regulation and litigation, Chris Guillen acts as a trusted advisor on complex projects as they relate to natural resources issues
- His expertise spans the intersection of land use and water law, with a particular emphasis in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
- Chris relies on his unique experience to provide strategic counsel on all issues pertaining to water rights, including water-related litigation, water transactions, compliance with state regulations and water right permitting issues
- His clients range from public water agencies to corporations and private property owners
- Chris also advises landowners, developers, agricultural interests and energy companies on environmental review under CEQA and land use permitting requirements during all phases of project development and litigation
- Examples of his work include: due diligence for housing developments and natural resources investment companies, representing landowners in water rights litigation, challenging overly restrictive land use ordinances, defending agricultural interests against appeals of land use permits, and helping large landowners and solar project developers vet land transition and natural resource asset opportunities, entitle their projects and withstand litigation when necessary
- Chris maintains a robust pro bono practice and sits on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee
Practice Areas Explained
Christopher R. Guillen's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Christopher R. Guillen handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Christopher R. Guillen is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in California →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Christopher R. Guillen is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Christopher R. Guillen is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Santa Barbara are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Santa Barbara or all attorneys in California.
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