I am not afraid – I was born to do this.
Joan of Arc
Christina Suarez
Christina Suarez is an associate in our Land Use practice group who works out of our Fresno Office. She is a knowledgeable researcher with a demonstrated history of working in the oil & energy industry with experience in petroleum matters, corporate social responsibility and petroleum geology.
Originally on the road to becoming an engineer, Christina was personally selected by a professor of Petroleum Engineering (who was also a patent attorney) to conduct research on climate change, sustainability, corporate responsibility and ethics and negotiation – which led her to research centers in Germany and Belgium. Ultimately, Christina realized that her true passion was in the field of law, so she took her LSATs and the rest is history. In her practice, she’s most inspired by looking beyond just facts and figures, and working with people where she has the ability to solve their complex problems.
Outside of the office, you’ll find Christina in the ring where she practices martial arts (Black Belt in Karate) and spars with MMA fighters. When she really needs to unwind, she turns to classical piano, drawing and all things related to science fiction.
Education
- J.D., U.C. Davis, School of Law
- Recipient, Dean’s Merit Scholarship
- President, Christian Legal Society
- Bluebook Editor, Environs – Environmental Law Journal
- Phi Theta Kappa
- M.S., Colorado School of Mines
- B.S., Colorado School of Mines
AREAS OF PRACTICE
For More Than 137 Years – Helping Our Clients Realize Their Vision For Responsible Development In The American West
Our business and finance attorneys represent national, regional and local clients participating in significant transactions.
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, Nevada and Washington 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.
Articles and Presentations
- Author, “DWR Approves 15 Groundwater Sustainability Plans – Legal Implications,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, April 1, 2025
- Author, “Final Decision Regarding Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, February 1, 2025
- Author, “Streamlining Conservation: The DEIS for the Desert Tortoise General Conservation Plan,” California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, December 1, 2024
- Author, “California Settles with Elk Grove Over City’s Violations of Affordable Housing Acts,” California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, November 1, 2024
- Author, “Preparing for Change: Key Takeaways from California’s AB98,” Fennemore Blog, October 17, 2024
- Author, “Sonoma Superior Court Rings Bell on Sonoma County Groundwater Management,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, October 1, 2024
- Author, “Madera County to Take Steps to Curb Groundwater Use Through Participation in State Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, October 1, 2024
- Author, “California to Develop Blueprint for Water Resilience in Response to Climate Change,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, September 1, 2024
- Author, “Unraveling Chevron: A New Era in Agency Interpretation,” Fennemore Blog, August 6, 2024
- Author, “DWR’s Establishment of the State Water Project Long-Term Drought Plan,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, August 1, 2024
- Author, “EPA’s Designation of PFAS Under CERCLA,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, June 1, 2024
- Author, “California Updates Its Initial Water Allocation Forecast Based on Increased Rainfall,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, March 1, 2024
- Author, “California Sets its Initial Water Allocation Forecast in Time for the New Year,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, January 1, 2024
- Author, “California Senate Bill 659 Aims to Improve Groundwater Recharge Efforts,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, December 1, 2023
- Author, “California Department of Water Resources Releases Updated Determinations for Groundwater Sustainability Plans,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, August 23, 2023
- Author, “California Water Storage Investment Program Updates,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, December 1, 2022
- Author, “September 2022 Update of Central Valley Irrigated and Regulatory Program – Key Points for Growers and Other Stakeholders,” California Water Law & Policy Reporter, September 1, 2022
- Author, “Government, the Oil Industry, and Climate Change” – SPE, The Way Ahead, 2018
- Co-author, “Coal in Ruhr, Germany: Industry in Transition. An American Perspective” – Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Mining Engineering, March 2019
Admissions
- California
Languages
- Spanish, Russian and English, Fluent