JANUARY 1998

The January 1998 edition of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal contained a Profile of Fred Gaines. The article, entitled "Fighting for Property Rights," reported that Fred had gained "considerable clout" in the San Fernando Valley commercial real estate and development community, and predicted that he would "play a significant role" in a number of important issues facing the Valley.

FEBRUARY 1998

The February 1998 issue of The Planning Report featured a front page article authored by Fred Gaines. The article, entitled "Land Use Principles To Guide Los Angeles City Charter Reform," proposed specific measures to improve the land use entitlement process in the City of Los Angeles.

MARCH 1998

The American Bar Association selected Fred Gaines to be a featured speaker at the American Law Institute's National Conference on Inverse Condemnation and Government Liability in San Francisco. Fred spoke on "Proving a Takings Claim and Proving Damages in Court."

APRIL 1998

At the April meeting of the California Coastal Commission in Long Beach, Sherman Stacey represented three separate clients and all three had their Coastal Development Permit applications approved. Since 1974, Sherman has conducted more than 1,500 hearings before the California Coastal Commission.

MAY 1998

On May 20, 1998, Fred Gaines completed a two-year term as Chair of the Los Angeles County Public Library Commission. Fred was appointed to the Commission by County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky in 1995. The Commission oversees the operations of the County's 88 branch libraries with an annual budget of over $50 million.

JUNE 1998

Prime Retail, the nation's largest Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") specializing in shopping center development, chose Gaines & Stacey LLP to provide counsel for their first ever development projects in California. Prime Retail, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, develops, owns and operates more than 50 retail shopping centers across the country.

JULY 1998

Gaines & Stacey LLP client the Serra Canyon Property Owners Association was granted summary judgment against the State of California's claims of a public easement over the Association's private road in Malibu. The trial court's ruling in favor of the Association has resulted in the continued private development of the area without additional State intervention.

AUGUST 1998

On August 20, 1998, the Los Angeles Daily News Editorial Page featured an article by Fred Gaines on land use issues and Los Angeles City Charter Reform. On August 27, Fred was a panelist discussing Charter Reform on the "Which Way L.A." radio program on KCRW-National Public Radio in Los Angeles.

SEPTEMBER 1998

On September 19, 1998, Fred Gaines was installed as the sixty-ninth President of the 1,700 member San Fernando Valley Bar Association. Fred was sworn into office by his former colleague State Assembly Member Robert Hertzberg in front of 300 guests at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel.

OCTOBER 1998

Gaines & Stacey LLP client Prime Retail received final approvals from the City of Camarillo for construction of a new 250,000 square foot shopping center and related subdivision. The new center will include outlet and specialty retailers, themed restaurants, and will connect to a newly expanded Edwards Multiplex Cinema. The site is located at the intersection of Highway 101 and Las Posas Road in Camarillo.

NOVEMBER 1998

Gaines & Stacey LLP client Lechuza Villas West, L.P. won a hard fought trial court victory against the State of California in a dispute over the location of the boundary between Lechuza's private Malibu beachfront property and the public tidelands. After eight days of trial, the court granted judgment in favor of Lechuza finding that the public tidelands do not move landward, usurping private rights, as the result of severe winter storms.

DECEMBER 1998

Lisa Weinberg became a partner of the firm effective January 1, 1999. Lisa is a graduate of Brown University and of the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. Lisa specializes in real property and land use related litigation matters.