Ara
Karamian

Ara Karamian represents private developers and government entities, helping them secure approvals for major projects and defending those approvals in trial and appellate courts.

Ara advises clients on California’s complex land use and environmental laws. His practice spans the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, Density Bonus Law, Housing Accountability Act, the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act (SB 79), and other planning and zoning regulations. Ara has advised clients on a wide range of projects, from housing developments to commercial and industrial projects, as well as advising public agencies on city planning documents, public transit, and navigating housing approvals. Ara guides clients from project conception through permitting, administrative proceedings, and courtroom defense. He has successfully litigated CEQA challenges and land use disputes, including defending a 70-unit residential development in Los Angeles against environmental claims at trial.

His representative matters include advising on the entitlement of a 633-unit mixed-use project in Hollywood, assisting in the development of major studio campuses in Los Angeles and Glendale, and advocating to secure favorable zoning outcomes for industrial developers. He also collaborated in conceptualizing and drafting legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that limits agency-imposed land dedication requirements in transit priority areas.

Earlier in his career, Ara gained extensive courtroom experience representing Fortune 500 companies in high-exposure products liability and general liability matters. While attending the UC Davis School of Law, Ara earned the UC Davis Environmental Law Certificate and served as Managing Editor of the Environs Journal of Environmental Law & Policy.