John T. Wheat
Attorney

John T. Wheat

John Wheat specializes in representing clients through administrative approval processes and litigation involving the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). He also has experience with related land use, environmental laws, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). He has performed work defending CEQA/NEPA documents before all levels of the California courts and in the Eastern District of California. John’s CEQA work has involved him in land use projects throughout the state, including aggregate mining, industrial projects, large infrastructure projects, residential developments, and redevelopment projects.

Prior to joining Mitchell Chadwick LLP, John practiced CEQA and land use law at Remy Moose Manley LLP in Sacramento, California.

Experience

Prepared briefs defending challenges to the legal adequacy of CEQA and NEPA documents, and project approvals by agencies;

Prepared briefs resulting in a published appellate victory for a community college district in the case 226 Cal.App.4th 1572;

Prepared briefs defending a community college campus renovation project before the California Supreme Court in case no. S214061 (fully briefed, awaiting oral arguments);

Participated in oral arguments on the merits of CEQA litigation;

Opposed motions requesting statutory attorney’s fees and costs in post-CEQA litigation matters;

Researched and wrote legal memoranda on issues of CEQA compliance and litigation strategy;

Researched and wrote legal memoranda on issues of state civil procedure and writ practice, including motions for extraordinary relief;

Reviewed administrative draft CEQA and NEPA documents for compliance with federal and state law;

Advised clients during the administrative approval process for CEQA documents;

Prepared and reviewed administrative records for completeness and legal adequacy; and

Participated in pre-trial settlement negotiations in an effort to avoid CEQA litigation.

Membership

Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Member

Education

University of California, Davis School of Law (J.D. 2011)

University of California, Davis (B.A., with Honors, 2007)

Bar Admissions

California, 2011

Court Admissions

Eastern District of California