Mayer Brown welcomes California land use and planning veteran Richard Bruckner to Los Angeles office
Los Angeles, 16 November 2017 – Mayer Brown announced today that Richard Bruckner has joined the firm as a senior land use specialist in its Government Relations & Public Law practice in Los Angeles. Previously, Mr. Bruckner was the Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning.
“With more than 40 years of government experience in planning and land use, Richard is widely known and highly regarded throughout California for his strong track record of directing growth and redevelopment,” said Phil Recht, partner-in-charge of Mayer Brown’s Los Angeles office. “Richard’s arrival complements Mayer Brown’s prominent land use capabilities and Government Relations & Public Law practice, enabling us to better counsel investors and developers involved in residential, commercial and industrial real estate projects.”
“Richard’s decades of experience make him an invaluable resource to our real estate clients as they evaluate properties, consider risks, navigate complex land use laws, comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, and devise strategies for projects to move forward,” said Edgar Khalatian, head of Mayer Brown’s Land Use practice in Los Angeles.
As Director of Regional Planning for Los Angeles County, Mr. Bruckner oversaw advance and current development, ongoing projects and land use regulation for the 2,000 square mile unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, which has a population of approximately one million people. He served as director of planning and development for the City of Pasadena for more than a decade, during which he led citywide economic development, planning, building, code enforcement, cultural affairs, real estate and the management of eight redevelopment projects areas. Prior to that, Mr. Bruckner was deputy executive director of the Community Development Department for the City of Anaheim for 11 years. Earlier in his career, he held various city planning and community development positions in Los Angeles and in Enfield, Connecticut.
“Mayer Brown’s impressive land use capabilities and thriving Government Relations & Public Law practice were key factors in my decision to join the firm,” said Mr. Bruckner. “I look forward to leveraging my extensive knowledge of California’s complicated land use laws and other local regulatory matters to advise clients on their projects from conception to groundbreaking.”
Mr. Bruckner is a member of the American Planning Association and the Urban Land Institute. He served as president of the California Redevelopment Association from 2008-2009. He earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning from The Ohio State University and received a bachelor’s degree from Hartwick College.
