Steven Harold Kaufmann

Steven H. Kaufmann is a shareholder at Richards, Watson & Gershon and Chair of the Firm’s Coastal Law Department. For 34 years, Mr. Kaufmann has represented either the California Coastal Commission itself or represented landowners, developers and public entities with matters before that agency. His work has involved a broad array of Coastal Commission administrative matters, as well as a substantial amount of litigation involving challenges to or defense of Commission decisions. Mr. Kaufmann’s experience includes every aspect of California coastal regulation, including coastal development permits, appeals, federal consistency review and appeals to the Secretary of Commerce, exemptions, local coastal programs, public works plans, enforcement, and legislation, as well as related local entitlements and compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). His work has produced successful results for clients on a host of projects involving complex energy or transportation-related issues; wetlands, environmentally sensitive habitat, or other habitat-related issues; golf courses, traditional hotels, timeshares, condominium hotels; and residences, subdivisions, commercial uses, and marinas. He has successfully challenged and defended decisions made by the Commission on coastal development permits, local coastal program amendments, and federal consistency.