Jena Shoaf Acos

Jena Shoaf Acos

Environmental Law

5.0 (1 reviews)
Santa Barbara, California
12+ years experience
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

1021 Anacapa Street , Second Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2711
Login to Contact

Create an account to contact this attorney

Bio

Natural resources attorney with unique expertise combining public agency work with water law. Specializes in emerging groundwater laws and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Immersive, team-player, prioritizing a preemptive approach to representation.Jena Acos’ practice thrives at the intersection of water and public agency law. She intimately understands how natural resource issues interrelate with the economic, social and regulatory aspects inherent in public agency work. She takes a strategic approach to breaking down problems and generating candid dialogue that is often key to resolving complex issues.Jena’s clients include one of California’s largest water districts responsible for managing one of the state’s critically overdrafted groundwater basins. Jena advises clients on SGMA and the development of groundwater management plans. Along with institutional government entities, Jena works with various water rights holders on both small-scale and larger projects.Jena serves as a contract city attorney for the City of Carpinteria, where she works closely with city staff to draft, review and enforce contracts and ordinances as well as navigate critical jurisdictional issues. Her work has included addressing comprehensive regulations for short-term rentals, taking on racial and social justice issues, negotiating land use matters with developers and energy companies and helping the city navigate sea-level rise, coastal access and various housing issues. Natural resources attorney with unique expertise combining public agency work with water law. Specializes in emerging groundwater laws and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Immersive, team-player, prioritizing a preemptive approach to representation.Jena Acos’ practice thrives at the intersection of water and public agency law. She intimately understands how natural resource issues interrelate with the economic, social and regulatory aspects inherent in public agency work. She takes a strategic approach to breaking down problems and generating candid dialogue that is often key to resolving complex issues.Jena’s clients include one of California’s largest water districts responsible for managing one of the state’s critically overdrafted groundwater basins. Jena advises clients on SGMA and the development of groundwater management plans. Along with institutional government entities, Jena works with various water rights holders on both small-scale and larger projects.Jena serves as a contract city attorney for the City of Carpinteria, where she works closely with city staff to draft, review and enforce contracts and ordinances as well as navigate critical jurisdictional issues. Her work has included addressing comprehensive regulations for short-term rentals, taking on racial and social justice issues, negotiating land use matters with developers and energy companies and helping the city navigate sea-level rise, coastal access and various housing issues. Natural resources attorney with unique expertise combining public agency work with water law. Specializes in emerging groundwater laws and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Immersive, team-player, prioritizing a preemptive approach to representation. Jena Acos’ practice thrives at the intersection of water and public agency law. She intimately understands how natural resource issues interrelate with the economic, social and regulatory aspects inherent in public agency work. She takes a strategic approach to breaking down problems and generating candid dialogue that is often key to resolving complex issues. Jena’s clients include one of California’s largest water districts responsible for managing one of the state’s critically overdrafted groundwater basins. Jena advises clients on SGMA and the development of groundwater management plans.

Practice Areas

Environmental Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Environmental Law
  • Recognized: Litigation - Environmental
  • Recognized: Municipal Law
  • Recognized: Natural Resources Law

Recognized in Ones to Watch since 2024

Education

  • Georgetown University, J.D., graduated 2013

Reviews

J

Jacob Miller

2 weeks ago

Indispensable Guide Through Complex Groundwater Compliance

Our agricultural cooperative faced daunting compliance challenges under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The regulations were complex, and the stakes for our water rights and operations were incredibly high. We engaged Jena Shoaf Acos at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, and it was the best decision we could have made. Jena's unique background, blending deep knowledge of water law with practical experience in public agency work, was immediately apparent. She didn't just interpret the law; she anticipated how local agencies would implement it. Her 12 years of experience, particularly in emerging groundwater laws, allowed her to craft a proactive strategy that went beyond mere compliance. She helped us navigate negotiations with the groundwater sustainability agency, ensuring our voice was heard and our legal interests were robustly protected. The outcome was a manageable, forward-looking plan that secured our water future. Jena's professionalism is matched only by her ability to explain intricate legal concepts clearly. Her recognition in environmental and municipal law is well-deserved. For any entity dealing with California's natural resource regulations, Jena is an exceptional advocate.

Write a Review

Please login to leave a review for this attorney.

Login to Review

Don't have an account? Create one

Related Attorneys

JN

Jesenia Nuñez-Lopez

Commercial Litigation

San Francisco, CA
5.0 (4 reviews)
View Profile
William C. B. Underwood

William C. B. Underwood

Environmental Law

Phoenix, AZ
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Jorge H. Reyes

Jorge H. Reyes

Civil Litigation

San Jose, CA
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Jeremy M. Evans
Los Angeles, CA
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile