Jason M. Ackerman

Partner

Jason Ackerman’s practice focuses on assisting clients in complying with state and federal environmental and land use laws. Jason also represents clients before the California Public Utilities Commission and the State Water Resources Control Board. His clients include real estate developers, energy companies, farmers, and small and medium sized businesses.

In addition to offering transactional and permitting advice, Jason litigates environmental law cases. Recent representative matters include:

• Litigation in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s trade-out of Stephens’ kangaroo rat reserve property.
• Representation in a proceeding before the State Water Resources Control Board related to the fully appropriated status of the Kern River.
• Litigation defending the County of Riverside’s approval of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
• Litigation defending the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ approval of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
• Litigation related to the nature and scope of federally reserved tribal water rights within the Santa Margarita Watershed.
• Obtain dismissal of complaint filed at the California Public Utilities Commission challenging the approval of a regional electric transmission project.

Annually, Jason teaches a course at the University of California, Riverside on the Endangered Species Act and conservation planning, and he frequently guest lectures at other institutions on the subject. Jason serves as a committee member for the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership’s Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan sub-committee. He is also a member of the Building Industry Association – Baldy View Chapter’s Programs Committee.

Education

• University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
• San Francisco State University, B.A. philosophy

Bar Admissions

• California

Court Admissions

• United States DIstrict Court, Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Central Districts of California
• United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Awards

• Rising Star, California Super Lawyers Magazine (2009, 2010)
• Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year (2008)
• State Bar of California's Wiley M. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services (2008, 2010)

Jason M. Ackerman

Partner

• "Endangered Species Act, High-Profile Lawsuits Are Derailing Solar Projects," Solar Industry Magazine, 2011
• "The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan May Offer Developers Mitigation Certainty," The Public Record, 2011
• "California Energy Commission Seeks Comments on Proposed Grant Program," BB&K Legal Alert, 2011

Jason M. Ackerman

Partner

• "Learn From the Experts - How To Get Solar Projects Off the Ground and Make Them Work!," Coachella Valley Energy Summit.
• "Putting It All Together: Building a Successful RFP," Solar Power Partners Consulting For Success in Commercial Solar Seminar
• "Navigating Permitting and Regulatory Approvals For Your Solar Project," California Association of Special Districts Annual Meeting

Jason M. Ackerman

Partner

• American Bar Association
• State Bar of California
• Riverside County Bar Association
• Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association, Board of Director, 2012