JANUARY 2007

Gaines & Stacey LLP Associate Alicia Bartley was honored by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal as one of 40 top Valley business leaders under the age of 40 at a reception held in Universal City. Alicia was chosen both for her professional accomplishments and for her pro bono community service activities.

FEBRUARY 2007

Gaines & Stacey LLP client Devon Plaza, represented by Partners Lisa Weinberg and Rebecca Thompson, obtained a substantial financial settlement in the federal court litigation matter Devon Plaza v. ExxonMobil Oil Corporation. The case involved the property owner's claims of environmental and property damage at a former service station site in Chatsworth.

MARCH 2007

Gaines & Stacey LLP client EZ Lube, represented by Managing Partner Fred Gaines, received zoning and conditional use approval from the Los Angeles City Council for a new store in Valley Village.

APRIL 2007

Gaines & Stacey LLP Associate Kimberly Rible was appointed as a member of the Land Use Committee of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association ("VICA"). The VICA Land Use Committee meets monthly to hear project presentations, and to develop and advocate for pro-business development reforms and permit streamlining measures.

MAY 2007

Gaines & Stacey LLP client LT-WR LLC has won an important property rights case in the California Court of Appeal. In LT-WR LLC v. California Coastal Commission, the Court held that the Commission's powers do not extend to the designation of public easements across private property. Fred Gaines, Lisa Weinberg and Noelle Bensussen represented the plaintiff at trial and on appeal.

JUNE 2007

Gaines & Stacey LLP Associates Kimberly Rible and Alicia Bartley were both named as 2007 Southern California Rising Star Super Lawyers by Los Angeles Magazine. Alicia was selected in the Real Estate category and Kim was picked in the Land Use/Zoning category.

JULY 2007

On July 15, 2007, Gaines & Stacey LLP celebrated its Tenth Anniversary. In its first ten years, Gaines & Stacey LLP has grown to eight attorneys in two offices, and is recognized as one of the state's foremost land use and environmental law firms.

AUGUST 2007

The California Coastal Commission approved a major Coastal Development Permit for Gaines & Stacey LLP client Malibu Valley Farms. Malibu Valley Farms has been rated as the State's Number One race horse breeding facility. Managing Partner Fred Gaines represented Malibu Valley Farms at the hearing held in San Luis Obispo.

SEPTEMBER 2007

Founding Partner Sherman Stacey and Associate Nanci Stacey successfully represented the plaintiffs in Serra Canyon Property Owners Association v. California Coastal Commission. The appellate decision upheld a trial court judgment allowing the Association to maintain its private gated roadway in the City of Malibu.

OCTOBER 2007

In honor of the Firm's 10^th Anniversary, the Gaines & Stacey LLP website was completely revised and updated. Found at www.gaineslaw.com, the site features greatly improved, easy-to-use content and graphics.

NOVEMBER 2007

Gaines & Stacey LLP client Chris Bredesen won a Superior Court judgment against the California Coastal Commission overturning the denial of permits for improvements at his beachfront home in Torrance. Founding Partner Sherman Stacey and Associate Nanci Stacey represented the plaintiff in Bredesen v. California Coastal Commission.

DECEMBER 2007

On December 4, 2007, Gaines & Stacey LLP Managing Partner Fred Gaines was a featured speaker at a Statewide seminar entitled "Real Estate Development From Beginning to End in California." For the fourth straight year Fred led the session on obtaining development and environmental approvals.