John picture

John Fox

Partner

Los Angeles

t: (310) 527-6660

d: (310) 527-6668

e: jfox@awattorneys.com

VCard

Bio

John Fox advises the firm’s clients in a range of legal matters pertaining to municipal government, including the California Environmental Quality Act, California Planning and Zoning Law, the Subdivision Map Act, Housing Accountability Act, Housing Crisis Act, Mitigation Fee Act, Public Records Act, Brown Act, the Political Reform Act, Fair Housing Act, land use permitting, code enforcement, city charter interpretation, and constitutional law issues such as regulatory takings and inverse condemnation.

In addition, John has represented clients in all types of civil litigation for 25 years. Over the last 15 years John has focused on representing cities in litigation challenging various land use approvals under the California Environmental Quality Act, Housing Accounting Act, Housing Crisis Act, general plan consistency, city charters and planning and zoning laws and regulations.

John is named counsel in numerous state appellate court decisions, including the following:

• Westsiders Opposed to Overdevelopment v. City of Los Angeles (2018) 27 Cal.App.5th 1079. Successfully defended the City of Los Angeles in lawsuit challenging the City’s approval of a large mixed-use residential development project alleging violations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City’s general plan and the City’s Charter.

• Coalition for an Equitable Westlake/Macarthur Par v. City of Los Angeles (2020) 47 Cal.App.5th 368. Successfully defended the City of Los Angeles in lawsuit challenging the City’s approval of a residential development alleging violations of CEQA. Lawsuit was dismissed based upon statute of limitations.

• Concerned Citizens of Beverly Hills/Beverly Grove v. City of Los Angeles (2022) 2022 WL 3334444. Successfully defended the City of Los Angeles in litigation challenging the City’s adoption of an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals alleging violations of CEQA.

• Downtown Fresno Coalition v. City of Fresno (2016) 2016 WL 3885065. Successfully defended the City of Fresno’s approval of a plan the renovate the historic Fulton Mall in litigation alleging violations of CEQA and the City’s general plan.

• Aids Healthcare Foundation v. City of Los Angeles (2020) 264 Cal.Rptr.3d 128. Successfully defended the City of Los Angeles in litigation challenging the City’s approval of four large mixed-use residential development projects in Hollywood, alleging violations of the federal Fair Housing Act.

  • Assistant City Attorney, Rancho Palos Verdes 

• Senior Deputy City Attorney, Fresno (2005-2012)

• City Attorney, Arvin (2013-2016)

• Assistant City Attorney, Morro Bay (2013-2016)

• Deputy City Attorney, Los Angeles (2016-2023)

  • State Bar of California

  • US District Court, Eastern District of California

  • US District Court, Northern District of California

• Presenter; AEP Advanced CEQA Workshop – Fresno (2014, 2015)

• California Bar’s 26th Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite (October 22, 2017) Presenter. CEQA Litigation and Legislative Update

• CAALAC Virtual Retreat – October 27, 2021 Presenter. CEQA Case Law/Legislative Update & CEQA Clearances for TPPs (SCPEs, SCEAs, SCEIRs)

• Fitness

• Running

• Travel

• Home improvement projects

  • Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, BA, 1988
  • Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA, JD, 1993