Lindsay D. Puckett

Partner

San Diego
655 West Broadway
15th Floor
(619) 525-1378

Lindsay Puckett is a partner in the Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice group of Best Best & Krieger LLP’s San Diego office focusing on environmental and land use law. She has represented dozens of public and private clients in transactional and litigation matters involving the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, endangered species and habitat conservation plans, land use entitlements, conservation easements, alternative energy, coastal development, water issues, hazardous and solid waste, and Native American tribes. From large-scale residential development to complex public infrastructure projects, Lindsay provides personal attention and creative solutions to completing projects while managing risk.

CEQA Compliance

Lindsay has significant experience working with clients and consultants on various types of environmental impact reports, negative declarations, addendums and exemptions — from document preparation and the public review process to defending clients against project opponents. She has advised clients on environmental documents related to land use and master plans, residential, commercial, and industrial projects, the expansion of a groundwater desalination facility, wastewater and recycled water infrastructure, reservoir improvements, public transit, soil and groundwater remediation, solar development, and wireless facilities.

Lindsay guides clients through the complexities of environmental review, such as climate change and tribal cultural resources. She has worked on numerous high-profile CEQA litigation matters, including a successful challenge to the expansion of a large landfill in San Diego County, and multifaceted settlements allowing important projects to the community to proceed.

Regulatory Approvals

Lindsay also aggressively represents clients in pursuing local, state and federal permits, including permits from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lindsay served as the lead attorney for the Joint Water Agencies Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan, a partnership between four San Diego County water agencies to address siting, development, maintenance and operation of their water delivery facilities. And she advises the City of Santee on rare and endangered species issues in conjunction with its draft Subarea Area Plan as part of the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program.

While in law school, Lindsay participated in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic and received CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Environmental Land Use and Litigation, State and Local Government and Mediation Theory and Practice. Before law school, she studied abroad at the University of Salamanca in Spain. Lindsay is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Central and Southern districts of California, and is licensed to practice law in the State of California.

Education

• Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, J.D.
• University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., American literature and culture

Memberships

• Association of Women in Water, Energy and Environment, Regional Team Leader
• Solana Center for Environmental Innovation in Encinitas, former vice president
• Association of Environmental Professionals
• San Diego County Bar Association
• Lawyers Club of San Diego
• Order of Barristers

Lindsay D. Puckett

Partner

• Outstanding Young Attorney, San Diego Daily Transcript, 2009

Lindsay D. Puckett

Partner

• “New AB 52 Requirements for Tribal Cultural Resources under CEQA and Related State and Federal Laws,” Best Best & Krieger, July 6, 2015


• “Clearing California Environmental Quality Act Hurdles for Renewable Projects,” Best Best & Krieger and CleanTECH San Diego Roundtable Discussion, April 9, 2014


• “USFWS’ Revised Designation of ‘Critical’ Habitat Threatens Critical Local Water Supplies in Southern California,” California Water Law Conference, May 3, 2012


• “Determining When and to What Extent CEQA May Apply to Your Agency’s Activities,” Best Best & Krieger, March 6, 2012


• “Navigating the CEQA Process With Your Attorney and Consulting Team,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, Oct. 11, 2011


• “Endangered Species 101,” State Bar of California 84th Annual Meeting, Sept. 17, 2011


• “The Santa Ana Sucker Reconsideration: Impact of USFWS’ Final Rule Revising Critical Habitat for the Santa Ana Sucker on Water Supply and Land Use,” Argent Communication Group’s 26th Annual California Water Law & Policy Conference, June 14, 2011


• “California Environmental Quality Act/National Environmental Policy Act,” UCSD Extension, Urban Planning and Development Law, May 19, 2011

Lindsay D. Puckett

Partner

• “Court Tosses Challenge to Approval of Annexation and Change in Sphere of Influence,” BB&K Legal Alert, Feb. 16, 2014

• “Court Applies Limitations on Unusual Circumstances Exception to CEQA Categorical Exemptions,” BBKnowledge, April 28, 2014