John E. Ponder

John E. Ponder is a partner in the Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental Practice Group in the firm's San Diego office.

Area of Practice

Mr. Ponder specializes in the representation of clients involved in real estate development. His practice focuses on advising and representing major residential, industrial and commercial developers through all phases of the land use regulatory process and environmental compliance. His land use experience includes real estate due diligence investigations, negotiating and drafting development agreements, processing land use entitlements, and appearing before governmental agencies and commissions. He has represented some of the largest real estate developers in San Diego County over the past 20 years.

Mr. Ponder has assisted clients in obtaining permits and approvals from various federal agencies including the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  He has successfully guided clients through the maze of state and local environmental clearances necessary for development including the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and the recently adopted City of San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program.  His working knowledge of environmental constraints and the development process proves invaluable when investigating the potential purchase of real estate and the subsequent preparation of acquisition documents.

Real estate development has grown increasingly complex and controversial requiring knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws as well as the ability to work with a wide range of diverse interests including governmental agency staff, elected officials, landowners, environmental organizations and citizen groups.  Mr. Ponder's ability to work with such diverse interests to develop creative, practical and economical solutions is demonstrated by his involvement in the successful approval and permitting of thousands of residential units during the past several years.  Most of these residential units were master planned projects in the communities of Sabre Springs, Mira Mesa, Carmel Valley, and Otay Mesa in the City of San Diego.  Current projects include mixed use developments in northern, southern, and eastern San Diego County as well as an additional 3500+ residential units in the Otay Mesa and Mira Mesa Community Planning Areas in the City of San Diego.

An experienced litigator, Mr. Ponder has handled actions involving development disputes, condemnation, environmental compliance, real estate transactions, and construction defect.  He has managed complex civil litigation for several residential developers and defended challenges to development approvals.

Mr. Ponder's practice includes strong ties to the local, state and national Building Industry Associations.  The Building Industry Association of San Diego County (BIASD) is the largest independent chapter of the California Building Association (CBIA).  BIASD works closely with CBIA and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on issues related to housing, environmental reform, streamlining permit processing, reducing building fees and construction dispute resolution.  The existing relationship with these associations provides continued involvement in the latest issues which impact the development industry.

Mr. Ponder is a member of BIASD Regional Metropolitan Legislative Committee.  As such, he meets with other committee members to discuss legislative issues and concerns relating to the City and County of San Diego.  He was also appointed to represent BIASD as the voting member on behalf of San Diego County for the CBIA Legal Action Committee.  This state committee meets three times each year to promote the building industry's interests at both the state and federal court level through CBIA's participation as a party to lawsuits or by filing amicus briefs.

In addition to his active role as a building industry committee member, Mr. Ponder has worked extensively with land use planners, civil and traffic engineers, and environmental and political consultants.  He has established a strong network of resources and business relationships through his work over the past 20 years with these individuals and organizations.

For the past 15 years, Mr. Ponder has been an active member of the National Glass Association (NGA) and the California Glass Association (CGA) in addition to volunteering his services as legal counsel to CGA.  NGA is the largest trade association representing the architectural and automotive glass industry.  NGA's more than 4,000 member companies with locations nationwide reflect the entire glass industry market in the United States.  CGA is a division of NGA with a current membership in excess of 600 businesses and individuals.

Mr. Ponder has been active in a variety of civic committee meetings regarding natural resources, employment and real estate development.  He has participated in the preparation and implementation of local legislation regarding the Multiple Species Conservation Plan, updates to the City of San Diego Zoning Code and the Equal Employment Opportunity Ordinance.  Mr. Ponder worked with the San Diego Association of Governments Employment Lands Inventory Committee to examine issues surrounding the supply and demand of land that will be available for development of office, industrial and research and development facilities.

Education

• J.D., California Western School of Law, 1980
• B.A., San Diego State University, 1976

Honors

• Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory AV rating. This is the highest rating given to a select group of attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their legal expertise and professional reputations.

Memberships

• Member, California Bar Association (Land Use and Real Property sections)
• Member, San Diego County Bar Association (Land Use, Environmental Law and Construction sections)
• Member, the California Building Industry Association (Legal Action Committee)
• Member, Building Industry Association of San Diego County (South County Legislative Committee and Urban Council)
• Member, San Diego Chapter of Lambda Alpha International, an honorary land economics society
• Member, National Glass Association (NGA)
• Member, Americas Glass Association (AGA)