An attorney since 1986, Steve Zikman’s Sustainability Practice is focused on issues related to climate change, green building and LEED certification, renewable and alternative energy, land use entitlement and permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory affairs.

Mr. Zikman assists clients with general and specific plan amendments, development agreements, zoning changes, subdivision approvals, redevelopment and revitalization projects, green building/LEED certification, historic and cultural monument preservation, transportation and other infrastructure-related projects, variances, conditional use permits, coastal development permits, specialized environmental permits, as well as grading, building and encroachment permits.

His clients have included developers, municipalities, public agencies and stakeholders, private individuals and interest groups, community and neighborhood associations, as well as museums and other institutional and nonprofit entities.

Mr. Zikman handles complex and controversial development projects from their inception through completion. Using his background in assisted negotiation, mediation and collaboration, he provides strategic and political advice to help his clients navigate and balance the often-conflicting interests of the community and decision-makers. Where appropriate, he tries to build consensus in order to obtain the most positive outcome for his clients and to create more sustainable solutions.

Mr. Zikman interfaces with public agency staff and elected officials to advocate for project support and to negotiate for the positive resolution of issues that may arise during the entitlement process. He also coordinates and guides the various planners, architects, environmental consultants, and civil engineers on the client’s project team. Additionally, he represents clients in the formulation and implementation of community and government relations strategies.

Mr. Zikman’s Sustainability Practice includes such areas as:

• Climate Change
• Green Building/LEED Certification
• Renewable and Alternative Energy
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Land Use and Environmental Entitlements
• Environmental Strategy and Compliance
• Zoning and Permitting
• Redevelopment and Revitalization
• Variances
• Government and Regulatory Affairs
• Community Relations Strategies
• Historic and Cultural Preservation
• Facility and Infrastructure Siting
• Transportation Corridor Projects
• Natural Resources
• Endangered Species
• Coastal/Marine Protection
• Eminent Domain
• Conservation Easements

Representative matters:

• Represented a public utility regarding the siting of an energy project affected by issues related to wetlands, resource protection, and endangered species.
• Advocated before public agencies and key community groups regarding a large urban infill project with significant historic and cultural preservation concerns.
• Successfully represented clients in amending general plans, implementing zone and height district changes, negotiating development rights, securing dedications of land, negotiating rights of way, obtaining conditional use permits and variances, and the processing of complex subdivision projects including phased residential developments.

Mr. Zikman was recently recognized by The U.S. Green Building Institute (USGBC) as an Accredited Professional in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP). As a LEED AP, Mr. Zikman is one of a select group of approximately 75 California attorneys and 600 attorneys nationwide who are qualified as experts in the field of sustainable design with a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles (e.g., energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, and improved indoor environmental quality), and who can assist clients with obtaining certification in accordance with the LEED Rating System. Developed by the USGBC, the LEED building rating system provides building owners and operators with a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions. A LEED AP credential provides employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with assurances of an individual's current level of competence and is the mark of the most qualified, educated, and influential green building professionals in the marketplace.

Mr. Zikman is an Attorney Hearing Board Member at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). In that position, he weighs evidence and reaches decisions related to: petitions by companies for variances; petitions for abatement orders; appeals by companies from the granting of permits, permit conditions, permit denials and suspensions, denials of emission reduction credits and denials of pollution control plans; and appeals by third parties.

Mr. Zikman is also an Environmental Mediator and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Specialist. More information on his environmental mediation practice may be found here.

Mr. Zikman is a member of the State Bar of California and is ADR Chair of the American Bar Association’s State and Local Government Section (Land Use Committee). He is on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Environmental Law Section. He is also a member of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of California, the Pasadena Bar Association, the Urban Land Institute (Los Angeles Chapter), the American Planning Association (Planning & Law Division), the National Association of Environmental Professionals, and the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation. He is one of a select group of attorneys to have received the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional designation (LEED AP) from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Mr. Zikman is on the Council of Distinguished Advisors and is a Fellow at Pepperdine University's Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution where he received his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in ADR with a focus on environmental and land use matters. He received his LL.B./J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto, Canada. Mr. Zikman created and co-chaired the groundbreaking symposium, “Taking It Upstream: Collaboration, Consensus Building and Sustainable—A Green Leadership (Un)Conference” which took place at Pepperdine University in September, 2009. Mr. Zikman teaches one of three core courses on the Principles of Sustainability at UCLA Extension in its Global Sustainability Certificate Program.

Mr. Zikman’s recent articles and papers include “Unclenching Fists: De-Escalating Land Use and Environmental Conflicts,” “The Wind & the Willful: Power, Politics and Celebrity in Environmental Conflicts,” and “Ten Tips for Land Use Decisionmaking” in the Daily Journal. His Masters thesis, “South Pasadena: A Dialogue on Dialogue,” received the award for best academic work (2008-2009) from the California Dispute Resolution Council and was published in the Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal [10 Pepp. Disp. Resol. L.J. 355 (2010)].

As a best-selling author and award-winning journalist, his latest book is Doing Good for Goodness’ Sake. His other titles include The Power of Travel, Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Nature Lover’s Soul. He is currently working on a novel set in South Africa and a book about the adoption of his son, Joaquin. Mr. Zikman is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the International Society of Travel Writers.

Born and raised in Canada, Mr. Zikman has visited more than 50 countries on six continents and has lived in Germany and South Africa. He makes his home in South Pasadena, California and can often be found hiking in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.