Shawn J. Zovod

Shawn’s practice focuses on sophisticated environmental and natural resources law and strategy, with deep experience in the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and their California counterparts, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, California ESA, and Lake and Streambed Alteration program. She is well versed in the preparation of environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and advises clients on Environmental, Social and Governance and climate-related reporting.

Shawn represents a diverse array of clients, including developers, local agencies, institutions, energy companies, public utilities, resource extraction companies, and other property owners in negotiations with federal and state regulators, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Office of Historic Preservation, and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards. She has extensive experience with Section 7 consultations under the ESA, and in preparing and processing Incidental Harassment Authorizations, Habitat Conservation Plans, Safe Harbor Agreements, complex individual CWA permits, Nationwide Permit authorizations, Streambed Alteration Agreements, Special Area Management Plans, Historic Property Treatment Plans, NEPA and CEQA documents, conservation easements, and mitigation funding agreements.

Shawn has successfully represented clients throughout California and the western states in evaluating the suitability of properties for development, securing federal and state resource permits, complying with Tribal consultation requirements, implementing wetland and species permits and mitigation plans, and when necessary, resolving violations and securing after-the-fact permits. She also provides guidance to wetlands conservation organizations.

In addition to her legal practice, Shawn frequently authors articles on trends in natural resources law and speaks at professional conferences, sharing her insights with peers and industry leaders.

• Represents the Local Reuse Authority for the former Concord Naval Weapons Station base-wide permits under the Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, federal and state Endangered Species Acts, and related habitat management plans and agreements.
• Represents numerous homebuilders and residential/commercial developers, both local companies and large national companies, in securing Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act permits and other natural resource approvals for large multiuse projects.
• Represented utility-scale photovoltaic solar energy projects in California requiring Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Endangered Species Act compliance.
• Represents an aggregate mine developer with long-term operations requiring federal and state Endangered Species Act permits, Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act permit/waste discharge requirements, and ongoing species and water quality monitoring.
• Obtained CalGEM authorizations for oil, gas, and underground injection control well developments.
• Obtained ESA Section 10 permit and state Consistency Determination in connection with a Habitat Conservation Plan for a prestigious California university that permits take of several endangered species, and streamlines future Section 7 consultations.
• Handled a university-sponsored Safe Harbor Agreement to reintroduce an extirpated endangered butterfly species.
• Prepared a Programmatic Agreement and subsequent Programmatic Historic Properties Treatment Plan under the National Historic Preservation Act and complex Section 404 Clean Water Act permit compliance for a statewide water infrastructure project.
• Handled numerous conservation easement deeds, deed restrictions, and funding agreements for large habitat mitigation and wetland preserves.
• Represented vineyard developments requiring local, federal, and state compliance with natural resources, including endangered species and the fill of wetlands and other “waters of the United States.”
• Initiated a regional Special Area Management Plan under the Clean Water Act.
• Prepared Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Impact Reports, and other environmental documents pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and California Environmental Quality Act.

• Best Lawyers in America®: Land Use and Zoning Law (2025-2026)
• Legal 500 United States: Environment: Regulatory (2025)
• Northern California Super Lawyers (2025)
• Super Lawyers, Environmental Law, Energy & Natural Resources Law (2019-2025)
• Named one of the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California
• Bisnow, Outstanding Excellence & Influence in Bay Area Commercial Real Estate