John E. Sharp
Admitted to The State Bar of California on May 31, 1979; Bar Number: 85615
Private Practice:
2008--present: Owner: Law Offices of John E. Sharp, San Rafael, CA--sole practice, focusing on real estate law, with emphasis on land use, zoning and planning law at county, city and all court levels.
1997--2008: Partner: Sharp and Brown, LLP, San Rafael, CA--a limited partnership, with practice area focused on real estate law, with emphasis on land use, zoning and planning law at county, city and all court levels.
1990--1997: Partner: McGee, Sharp and Brown, LLP, San Rafael, CA--a limited partnership, with practice area focused on real estate law, with emphasis on land use, zoning and planning law at county, city and all court levels.
1988--1990: Associate: Bagshaw, Martinelli, Corrigan and Jordan, San Rafael, CA--a partnership primarily practicing law in the areas of real property and business litigation. During this time, I served as deputy city attorney to partner Leland H. Jordan, who was then-City Attorney to the cities of Mill Valley, Sausalito and Fairfax. (See below regarding history of service as City Attorney to various municipalities).
1987--1988: Sole Practitioner: Law Office of John E. Sharp, Sausalito, CA--sole practice in general real estate matters, land use, planning and zoning.
1981--1987: Associate--Ackeret, Colteaux and Muzio, San Rafael, CA--a partnership with practice in areas of general civil litigation, including business and real estate law.
1979--1981: Associate: Jacobs, Spotswood and Cooper, San Francisco, CA--a partnership practicing general civil law.
Public representation:
1990--2011: Town Attorney (under contract) Town of Fairfax, CA, for approximately 7 years. Duties included review, advice and litigation management/participation in numerous CEQA and land use matters brought before the Town
1990--1993: Acting City Attorney, City of Mill Valley. Duties included trial of eminent domain/inverse condemnation cases, review, advice and litigation of land use and CEQA matters
1990--1993: Acting City Attorney, City of Sausalito. Duties included advice and occasional litigation pertaining to development applications in the City
1993 and 1997: Interim Town Attorney, Town of Tiburon. Duties included review and advice regarding various land use matters before the Town Planning Commission and Council.
Other relevant endeavors:
1994: Representation of Surfrider Foundation in settlement phase of action vs. Louisiana Pacific, arising from pollution of Humboldt Bay.
1987--1993--Member: Board of Directors--Headlands Center For the Arts, Fort Barry, Marin Headlands, CA. Participated in negotiations with U.S. National Park Service in negotiations re land use matters, in context of Park Partnership Agreement.
1986--1990: Member--San Anselmo Town Council (Mayor, 1989/90).
1982--1986: Member--San Anselmo Planning Commission
1978--1982: Frequent attendance at San Anselmo Planning Commission and Town Council in opposition to Quarry Mountain proposed subdivision, due to inadequate EIR and excessive proposed density of project.
Representation of residents of San Geronimo Valley in opposition to French Ranch Subdivision;
Representation of concerned members of community in opposition to Papermill Creek affordable housing project, Pt Reyes Station, CA;
Professional:
Former member of Board of Directors: Marin County Bar Association.
Education:
1978: Juris Doctor--New College of California School of Law, San Francisco, CA
1973: Bachelor of Arts--San Jose State University
Internships
San Francisco Sheriff's Civil Division, pertaining to inmate rights project at San Francisco Jails;
Garry, Dreyfuss, McTernan, Brotsky, Herndon and Pesonen--David Pesonen, pertaining to anti-nuclear initiative and various environmental litigation;
Marin County Counsel--Douglas Maloney, pertaining to defense of spot-zoning litigation brought by developers adjacent to Richardson and San Francisco Bays.