|
Description of Practice:
Ms. Beltran is senior counsel in the firm's Orange County office, where her practice focuses on environmental, land use, and water resources matters, representing primarily residential and commercial developers, homebuilders, building industry trade associations, utility companies, power producers, and industries. She advises clients on state and federal resource protection laws, such as the federal Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, and Endangered Species Act.
Ms. Beltran has extensive experience in the areas of water quality, stormwater pollution, wetlands, and water supply matters, including permitting and compliance; environmental diligence and auditing; representation before local, state and federal administrative bodies; and defending clients in citizen-initiated lawsuits. She has assisted clients in obtaining and maintaining state and federal water quality and wetland permits and federal incidental take permits for endangered species. In addition to participating in major water transfer and water leasing projects, Ms. Beltran has helped clients secure water rights for new housing projects and energy development. Her experience also include interaction with state and federal agencies, for purposes of drafting and interpretation of regulations and water quality permits, and assisting clients in the defense of environmental permits and water quality and supply enforcement actions brought by state and federal agencies and environmental citizen groups. In addition to offering her expertise on the controversial biological and water resource aspects of land development, Ms. Beltran also assisted clients with the development of housing, multi-use and commercial projects, transportation and energy projects, redevelopment and infill projects, and contaminated property development.
Ms. Beltran has authored and/or co-authored articles on water quality issues, appearing in publications such as the Texas Environmental Law Journal, the ABA 21st Annual Water Law Conference Proceedings, and the ABA 15th Annual Real Property Symposium Proceedings. Additionally, Ms. Beltran has served as a guest lecturer, speaking extensively on water quality issues.
Ms. Beltran has practiced in the area of environmental and land use law in both Texas and California, and prior to joining Allen Matkins, she was Of Counsel with Latham & Watkins LLP. Ms. Beltran is a member of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of California, the Environmental Section of the Orange County Bar Association, the Environment, Energy, and Resources Section of the American Bar Association, and an inactive member of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
Educational History:
Ms. Beltran received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1997, where she served as an executive editor for the Texas International Law Journal. In 1994, she received her B.A., graduating cum laude, from the University of Texas at Austin. | 