John M. Taylor

TAYLOR, WILEY & KEASLING founding member, John M. Taylor, began his land use practice in Sacramento in 1982. For more than 40 years, John has helped to shape the regional landscape while building a cohesive legal team at TAYLOR, WILEY & KEASLING. As a trusted political advisor and published legal scholar, John is a valuable resource for clients engaged in land-use matters within the greater Sacramento region.

John primarily serves as a political and technical strategist, charting a course by which to move complex projects through the entitlement process. He also is central to the firm’s litigation practice, handling CEQA, zoning, and constitutional matters. Outside of the office John enjoys hiking, swimming, reading historical biographies and is an avid gardener. He is the father of four adult children.

Education

• California State University at Chico (B.A., cum laude, 1972, Pi Kappa Phi)
• University of Arizona (M.A., 1974; J.D., 1978; Ph.D., 1981)

Publications and Teaching

• American Land Planning Law; Land Use & The Police Power (in 8 Volumes); Co-Author with Norman Williams, Jr.
• Assistant Professor of Political Science, San Diego State University, 1980-81
• Adjunct Professor of Land Use Law, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1982 – 1992
• Teaching Assistant, University of Arizona, 1976-1978

Community Involvement

• Member of the Mayor’s Education Commission, City of Sacramento (Mayor Joe Serna)
• Member of the Mayor’s Charter Review Commission, City of Sacramento (Mayor Kevin Johnson)
• Member of the Electoral College, 1996

Admissions

• State Bar of California: 1979
• State Bar of Arizona: 1981

Published Court Decisions

• Sunset Skyranch Pilots Ass’n v. County of Sacramento, et al. (2009) 47 Cal.4^th 902. 
• Old East Davis Neighborhood Assn. v. City of Davis (2021) 73 Cal.App.5^th 895
• Sacramentans for Fair Planning v. City of Sacramento (2019) 37 Cal.App.5^th 698.
• Western Placer Citizens for an Agricultural and Rural Environment v. County of Placer, et al. (2006) 144 Cal.App.4^th 890. 
• El Dorado County Taxpayers for Quality Growth v. County of El Dorado, et al. (2004) 122 Cal.App.4^th 1591. 
• Frieman v. San Rafael Rock Quarry, Inc. (2004) 116 Cal.App.4^th 29.

[email protected]
916-929-5545