Kate Wheatley assists the firm’s clients with all aspects of environmental and natural resource permitting, from the initial project planning phase through final permit approval. She is also involved in the firm’s land use practice, working with local jurisdictions to secure entitlements for development proposals and defending approved projects in subsequent litigation.
Kate has extensive experience advising clients regarding various environmental laws including the Clean Water Act, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act, the federal and State Endangered Species Acts, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as the National Historic Preservation Act and other local, State and federal historic and cultural resource laws. Her practice includes compliance counseling, securing permits and establishing project mitigation, negotiating settlements of regulatory enforcement actions, and representing clients in litigation matters before Federal and State courts.
A 2002 graduate of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Kate earned membership in the Order of the Coif. While at McGeorge, she was the Chief Legislation Editor for the McGeorge Law Review and a recipient of Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence in Land Use Planning and Health Law.
Outside of work, Kate is involved in several community groups, including the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps and the Metro Chamber’s Leadership Sacramento program. A resident of the Sacramento region for most of her life, Kate currently lives in the Land Park area with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time she enjoys traveling with her family, gardening and exercising.
Education
St. Mary’s College of California
B.A., Liberal Studies, 1998
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law J.D., with distinction, 2002
Publications and Teaching
Williams & Taylor, American Land Planning Law (2003 ed.), authored section entitled “Federal Regulation of Wetlands and Other Waters.”
“Dirty Money: Refunding California’s Unconstitutional Smog Impact Fee,” 32 McGeorge L. Rev. 507 (Winter 2001).
Honors
Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court (2006-2007)
Water Education Foundation, William R. Gianelli Water Leaders Class (2006)
Order of the Coif, McGeorge School of Law (2002)
Traynor Honor Society, McGeorge School of Law (2001)
Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence, Land Use Planning and Health Law
Professional Affiliations
Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section (Executive Committee Member, 2010-2014)
State Bar of California, Environmental Law Section
Community Involvement
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Sacramento (Chair, 2019; Member, 2010)
Board of Directors, Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps (2011-present)
Crocker-Riverside Elementary School, School Site Council Member (2015-2018)
Board of Directors, Roseville Urban Forest Foundation (2009-2012)
Admissions
State Bar of California
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
Published Court Decisions
Sunset Skyranch Pilots Ass’n v. County of Sacramento, et al. (2009) 47 Cal.4th 902.
Western Placer Citizens for an Agricultural and Rural Environment v. County of Placer, et al. (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 890.
