"After an internal investigation, the State Bar of California concluded YIMBY Law Executive Director Sonja Trauss is an activist, not a lawyer. Throughout our investigation, there was no evidence obtained that showed (Trauss) represented clients, advertised legal services, provided legal services or advice, held out as an attorney, or otherwise engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, the association's investigator wrote in a letter to Newport Beach land use attorney Kendra Mehr, who filed the complaint."
"With the letter, the association ended a brief not in my backyard procedural trial balloon aimed to introduce an alternative legal approach to fight back after losing an upzoning battle. A different ruling could have chilled First Amendment rights in political advocacy. The complaint arose from a letter Trauss sent to the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council, urging the City to retain three upzoned parcels in its housing element that city officials were considering removing."
An attempt to disqualify a California YIMBY advocacy group failed after a State Bar investigation cleared its leader of unauthorized legal practice. The complaint alleged Executive Director Sonja Trauss falsely acted as an unlicensed lawyer after she urged Rancho Palos Verdes officials to keep three upzoned parcels in the city's housing element. The State Bar investigator found no evidence that Trauss represented clients, advertised or provided legal services, or held herself out as an attorney. Institute for Justice lawyers argued the activity was political advocacy, not legal representation. A contrary ruling could have chilled First Amendment political advocacy.
Read at www.housingwire.com
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