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CGS3 Elevates Its Longstanding Sustainability & Renewable Energy Expertise to a Formal Practice Area
SAN DIEGO (September 30, 2025) – Recognizing the growing demand for real estate focused sustainability expertise, Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson (CGS3) – a rapidly expanding firm specializing in commercial real estate law – has formalized its longstanding work in this area, launching a sustainability and renewable energy practice group within its real estate transactional practice. The group will help project sponsors, investors, developers and property owners navigate the fast-changing landscape of sustainable development and renewable energy solutions. It will also advise clients on accessing green financing and incentive programs — including C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) loans, tax credits, green bonds, and specialized lender programs — and on structuring transactions to maximize those benefits.
Chaired by CGS3 partner Amelia Sanchez, the practice reflects both the transformation underway in the energy and real estate sectors and the increasing emphasis clients place on resilient, value-enhancing property strategies.
According to Sanchez, the launch reflects both the transformation of the energy sector and the increasing importance clients place on responsible, future-focused practices. “As the world shifts toward a lower carbon future with more climate-resilient assets, businesses across all industries are recognizing that sustainability is not just about environmental stewardship – it’s also a driver of long-term value,” said Sanchez. “Our goal is to guide clients in incorporating renewable energy solutions into their projects and operations in ways that reduce risk, optimize returns, and strengthen market position.”
The practice group – comprised of Sanchez, Dorothy Groza, Phil Jelsma, Riley Cutner-Orrantia, and Ulrick Matsunaga – brings decades of experience in commercial real estate, solar, electric vehicle infrastructure, renewable energy transactions, and corporate and tax law.
The team provides a comprehensive suite of services to help clients meet both financial and environmental goals, including:
- Connecting developers with investors focused on sustainable real estate.
- Integrating solar, energy storage, EV infrastructure, and renewable energy solutions into real estate portfolios.
- Structuring site-control and procurement agreements (PPAs/ESAs).
- Advising on accessing green financing including C-PACE loans.
- Negotiating construction contracts and long-term service agreements.
- Collaborating with tax and financial advisors to deliver diligence-ready documentation aligned with financing and operational objectives.
- Advising on eligibility and structuring for federal and state tax credits.
- Optimizing deal economics and tax treatment.
Through this formalized practice group, CGS3 advances its mission of delivering sophisticated and effective legal solutions – pairing high-caliber lawyering with practical street smarts and solid business acumen while helping clients identify opportunities at the intersection of real estate, innovation, and sustainability.
News can also be found in Attorney Law Magazine, CityBiz, CityBiz LinkedIn, and The Daily Transcript.
About Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson LLP (CGS3)
CGS3 is a recognized leader among a new generation of commercial real estate law firms with practice areas covering the entire commercial real estate life cycle, including finance, acquisition/disposition, entity formation, tax, construction, development, land use, leasing, distressed asset workouts and dispute resolution. Earning a reputation as one of California’s leading commercial real estate law firms, CGS3 continues to recruit some of the state’s top real estate attorneys from both large corporate firms and senior in-house positions. For more information, visit http://www.cgs3.com.