Jonathan Riker

Jonathan Riker is a licensed attorney and professional urban planner with fifteen years’ experience in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance and federal, state, and local land use and land development regulations. As an attorney with Ervin Cohen & Jessup, LLP, he currently provides oversight and guidance on CEQA requirements and land use counsel to private real estate developers and business owners.

Jonathan received a B.A. from Columbia University, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans, and a J.D. from Tulane Law School. Prior to practicing law, Jonathan coordinated environmental review for major development projects as an urban planner with the Los Angeles City Planning Department. He has advocated for “green” development practices in the building industry and has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) status conferred by the U.S. Green Building Council. He published an article on green building in Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, “the Green Zone (January 2008)” and has authored several additional articles on environmental regulations. Prior to his land use/planning experiences in Los Angeles; Jonathan was the co- director of a legal non-profit organization for inner-city residents of New Orleans.