Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)

Protecting One of the Nation’s Busiest Airports for Over a Decade

Meyers Nave is a cornerstone legal partner to LAWA, supporting the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) through sweeping modernizations, critical infrastructure updates, regulatory challenges, key transactions, and high-stakes litigation.

End-to-End Solutions for Critical Infrastructure Projects

With 40 years of government insight and expertise across every phase of a development project, we protect LAWA from every angle, at every turn. We’ve supported LAWA in implementing its $14 billion Master Plan, modernizing its facilities, adopting green energy solutions, addressing First Amendment issues, resolving construction disputes, negotiating real estate deals, and working with regulators on complex challenges involving CEQA, NEPA, PFAS contamination, air quality, aircraft noise, and other highly specialized areas of law.

Developing, Implementing & Protecting LAX’s $14 Billion Master Plan

We’ve been key to the development and implementation of LAX’s Master Plan, including vigorous and successful defense against existential lawsuits under CEQA, NEPA and the California Coastal Act. As the Plan’s first milestone, we managed the environmental review of the $333 million South Airfield Project, and have driven other critical components such as the “Part 161 Studies” of LAX and VNY. We’ve analyzed operational forecasts and planning periods to comply with CEQA, state planning, and zoning laws. And, we continue to support ongoing updates to the Northside Plan.

Modernizing LAX

Meyers Nave guides LAWA through projects to redevelop and modernize LAX for the 21st century, including:

• Airfield & Terminal Modernization Project (ATMP)
  Meyers Nave is lead counsel for this multi-billion-dollar overhaul of LAX’s ground transportation and terminal infrastructure, including detailed review of planning documents and EIR. The project includes an Automated People Mover connecting to Metro’s 96th Street Project, new intermodal facilities, and a consolidated rental car center. The proposed improvements also encompass airfield enhancements to increase efficiency and safety in the north airfield, construction of new terminal facilities to upgrade passenger processing and enhance the customer experience, and an improved roadway system to ease access to the Central Terminal Area (CTA) and reduce congestion.
• Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP)
  We are providing in-depth environmental analysis and strategic advice of this multi-billion-dollar project to upgrade airfields, build new terminals, and improve roadway systems at LAX.
• Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)
  Meyers Nave provided CEQA and land use counsel for the $2 billion Bradley West Project, a major renovation of the international terminal and gates at LAX. The project modernized facilities to improve international passenger processing and enhance the overall travel experience, and is recognized as one of the largest public works projects in the history of the City of Los Angeles.
• Upgrading Air Cargo Facilities
  We are advising on the development of air cargo facilities along the Century Boulevard corridor at LAX to optimize land use and cargo throughput with improved technology and efficiency.

Complex Construction Contracts, Procurement & Litigation

Meyers Nave has successfully handled numerous complex construction challenges for LAWA. Our work includes negotiations for the Bradley West Core and Gates Projects under a CM-at-Risk contract, addressing $23 million in claims related to delays and alleged site conditions in the construction of Taxilane S, resolving construction disputes over boring contracts, managing litigation concerning Runway 25L concrete deterioration, and settling prevailing wage compliance disputes in trial.

Unrivaled Experience Before Air Quality & Other Regulators

We stand out for our strong bureaucratic relationships. We’ve led LAWA and other clients through many complex matters before Air Quality Management Districts, Airport Land Use Commissions, the California Air Resources Board, the FAA, and others—providing sophisticated analysis and strategy on diesel-fueled equipment, mobile emission sources, enforcement, and other complex issues.

Advancing Sustainability with Green Energy Solutions

Meyers Nave supports LAWA’s Sustainability Action Plan through a range of real property services, including negotiating and preparing leases. This includes ground leases and rooftop licenses for solar systems at VNY which will establish one of the largest solar electric systems in the region. It also includes a lease to develop and operate EV charging stations near LAX, and the long-term lease of the Airtel Hotel at VNY.

PFAS Groundwater Contamination

We represent LAWA in responding to highly complex administrative water quality orders, including an investigative order issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) concerning alleged perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater around LAX.

Emerging First Amendment & Constitutional Issues

We help LAWA analyze the complex and evolving First Amendment issues involved in regulating access and public protests in and around airport facilities, including both secure and public spaces.

The Go-To California Firm for a Reason

Meyers Nave’s partnership with LAWA underscores our role in California’s most ambitious projects and initiatives. We are California’s go-to, trial-ready team driving infrastructure and the economy forward.