Robert (“Robbie”) Hull represents developers across various industries in obtaining permits needed to develop complex land use projects, including some of the nation’s largest renewable energy projects. Robbie counsels clients through the local, state, and federal entitlement process and has significant experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), planning and zoning laws, and laws related to wetlands and endangered species, water supply, and the Williamson Act.

As part of CCN’s Renewable Energy Industry Team, Robbie has helped clients develop thousands of megawatts of renewable energy and battery storage. Robbie’s renewable energy practice includes projects on both private and public land in California and other western states, including representing projects before the California Energy Commission under its opt-in permitting program. Robbie also supports these projects in obtaining commercial financing through the issuance of permitting opinions.

Residential, commercial, and industrial developers similarly rely on Robbie’s practical and strategic approach to navigating the environmental review and permitting process for their projects. Robbie has been involved in the development of multiple residential and mixed-use projects, master-planned communities, corporate campuses, and industrial projects throughout the state.

Robbie has significant experience defending projects in post-approval challenges, successfully defending land use approvals and environmental review documents for renewable energy, housing, and mixed-use projects.

Prior to joining the firm, Robbie served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Richard Tallman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Representative Renewable Energy Experience:

• Permitting of 600-megawatt solar and battery storage project in Kern County
• Permitting of 1,200-megawatt solar and battery storage project in Kern County
• Permitting of 1,100-megawatt solar and battery project in Fresno County
• Permitting of 400-megawatt solar and battery storage project in Riverside County
• Permitting of 75-megawatt solar and battery storage project in Merced County
• Permitting of 130-megawatt solar and battery storage project in San Bernardino County
• Permitting of 400-megawatt battery storage project in San Diego County
• Permitting of 300-megawatt battery storage project in Sonoma County
• Permitting and financing of 1,000-megawatt solar project in Kern County
• Permitting and financing of 500-megawatt solar project on BLM land in Riverside County
• Permitting, litigation defense, and financing of 150-megawatt solar project in Alameda County
• Permitting and financing of 150-megawatt battery storage project in San Diego County
• Permitting and litigation defense of 250-megawatt wind project in San Diego County
• Financing of multiple wind projects in Kern County

Representative Residential, Mixed-Use, and Industrial Experience:

• Permitting of mixed-use project consisting of 6 million square feet of office uses, 1,700 residential units, 200,000 square feet of retail uses, and hotel space
• Permitting and litigation defense of mixed-use project consisting of more than 1,400 dwelling units and 200,000 square feet of retail, office and industrial space
• Permitting and litigation defense of 130-unit affordable housing project
• Permitting of 90-unit residential project
• Permitting of 280-acre industrial project
• Litigation defense of 300-acre mixed-use project
• Litigation defense of 245-unit residential project

Published Cases:

• Save Livermore Downtown v. City of Livermore (2022) 87 Cal.App.5th 1116
• Committee for Sound Water & Land Development v. City of Seaside (2022) 79 Cal.App.5th 389

Honors & Recognitions

Connect CRE Next Generation Award winner, 2023 

Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2021-2024

Professional Affiliations

Environmental and Real Estate Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco, Member