Matt Keasling joined Taylor & Wiley in 2004, where he participates in the firm’s land use practice, primarily working with local jurisdictions to secure entitlements for various commercial, residential, industrial, and agricultural projects. His experience includes project management, political assessment, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, negotiation of development agreements, community engagement, and project representation before decision-making bodies. Matt guides development projects through the regulatory process to obtain local, State and Federal entitlements. In that capacity, Matt counsels clients on land use regulations, development procedures, statutory requirements, and various environmental regulations, including CEQA, the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32 and SB375), and the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA).
In addition to guiding land use entitlements, Matt participates in the firm’s litigation practice. He has successfully defended project entitlements at the Superior Court, 3rd Appellate District and California State Supreme Court. A few notable published opinions include Sacramentans for Fair Planning v. City of Sacramento (2019) 37 Cal.App.5th 698 which was the first published opinion upholding streamlined environmental review through a local jurisdiction’s use of a Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment, and Sunset Skyranch Pilots Ass’n v. County of Sacramento, et al. (2009) 47 Cal.4th 902 wherein the State Supreme Court reversed the Appellate Court decision and affirmed the County’s use of a CEQA exemption.
Outside of work, Matt is involved in several community groups and nonprofit organizations. He has served as Chair on the Board of Directors for Next Move, which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing to families experiencing homelessness, and for Sacramento Steps Forward, which manages the continuum of care for homeless services throughout Sacramento County. He served the City of West Sacramento as a member of its Economic Development and Housing Commission. Matt is also a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and has been active with the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, participating in its Leadership program, class of 2011.
Born and raised in Sacramento, Matt knows the region and its issues well. Outside of work, Matt and his wife are busy keeping up with three young boys. Together they enjoy exploring the region, taking advantage of the surf, the snow, and everything in between.
Education
University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A. History, 2001
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law J.D., 2005
