And I believe the truth is mighty, and shines by its own light.
― Vincent Bugliosi

Matthew Wm. Nelson

Matthew Nelson is a director in our San Bernardino office where his practice focuses on land use, CEQA, real estate and environmental law matters. He serves as a team leader in the land use department and has successfully guided major commercial, industrial, health care, educational, and retail developers, as well as mining and transportation interests, through the challenges of obtaining approvals and permits from a wide range of federal, state, and local jurisdictions.

He takes great pride in skillfully assisting clients in the development and implementation of strategies, which includes providing pragmatic counsel on legislative and administrative land use approvals such as the development of impacted properties, redevelopment projects, public financing, development agreements, tentative maps and subdivision map issues, zoning, general plan amendments, specific plans, traffic and transportation issues, conditional use permits, and variances.

Matt has extensive experience in land use and environmental CEQA document review and project entitlement for retail shopping centers; commercial, industrial, and residential developments; and mining and transportation clients. He provides oversight to ensure that environmental review and development approvals are sufficient and legally defensible.

He is also involved in many high-profile projects currently operational, under construction, approved, or in development throughout the Inland Empire and greater Southern California, where he has earned a reputation for moving projects through challenges and obstacles with pragmatism.

Education

  • J.D., University of California Davis School of Law
  • B.S.,  cum laude, University of California, Riverside

AREAS OF PRACTICE

For More Than 137 Years – Helping Our Clients Realize Their Vision For Responsible Development In The American West

For More Than 137 Years – Helping Our Clients Realize Their Vision For Responsible Development In The American West

We are the forward-thinking natural resources, energy and environmental law team that innovates to ensure industry and businesses successfully navigate the ever-changing regulatory climate.

Our real estate practice is one of the largest in the American West, including Arizona, California, Colorado and Nevada with experience in all aspects of the real estate development process, from due diligence, acquisition and finance, through land use permitting and entitlements, to leasing and sale.

Representative Matters

  • Entitled two different 1,000,000 square foot warehouse/distribution center projects in the High Desert.
  • Entitled over ten warehouse/distribution centers ranging from 200,000 to 1,200,000 square feet in the Inland Empire
  • Entitled a 100+ bed hospital and medical office building in Southwest Riverside County
  • Entitled over ten commercial shopping center projects ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 square feet throughout Southern California.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

  • Member, Riverside County Bar Association
  • Member, San Bernardino County Bar Association
  • Leadership Riverside, Class of 2010
  • Past Chair, UC Riverside Athletics Association
  • Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 90

Admissions

  • California
  • Nevada
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nevada