Nicki Carlsen

Environmental Law

4.0 (1 reviews)

Los Angeles, California

35+ years experience

Alston & Bird LLP

Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Contact Information

1-213-576-1000

https://www.alston.com/en/professionals/c/carlsen-nicki

350 South Grand Avenue, 51st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071

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Bio

Nicki Carlsen is the co-leader of the firm’s Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources Group. Her practice focuses on land use, environmental compliance and litigation. She has over 25 years of experience with the federal, state and local regulations affecting development projects, including land use planning and subdivision laws, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), California Coastal Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, endangered species acts and cultural resources requirements. Through her representation of industrial, residential and commercial property owners, Nicki can navigate a course of action from project inception to completion. Her land use experience extends to all project entitlements, including general plan amendments, specific plans, development agreements, zone changes, subdivisions, conditional use permits, variances and grading, building and encroachment permits, as well as specialized environmental permits such as coastal development permits, Section 404 permits and “take” permits. She also advises clients regarding proposed regulations at the local, state and federal levels. Nicki advises clients on how to comply with CEQA and NEPA statutes and oversees the adequacy of CEQA and NEPA documents. She has successfully defended project approvals in the trial and appellate courts and has also successfully prosecuted actions on behalf of property owners to obtain land use entitlements. Nicki has also been listed in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Litigation – Land Use and Zoning.

Practice Areas

Environmental Law

Awards & Recognition

Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Los Angeles (2023)
Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Los Angeles (2018)
Recognized: Environmental Law
Recognized: Land Use and Zoning Law
Recognized: Litigation - Environmental
Recognized: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Recognized: Oil and Gas Law
Practice Area: Natural Resources Law

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2017

Education

University of Southern California, J.D., graduated 1990

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Reviews

Dorothy Garcia

3 weeks ago

Skilled and Knowledgeable Attorney

I had the opportunity to work with Nicki Carlsen on a complex land use and environmental compliance matter, and her expertise was invaluable. With over 35 years of experience, she demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge, particularly in litigation related to land use and zoning. Nicki's background at Alston & Bird LLP and her recognition as Lawyer of the Year in Litigation - Land Use and Zoning (multiple times) speaks to her exceptional standing in the field. She provided strategic insights and handled negotiations with a level of professionalism that was reassuring. My only minor critique would be that her availability for quick responses could be improved, but this was offset by the thoroughness and quality of her legal work. I would highly recommend her to anyone facing similar legal challenges.