Kristen Thall Peters leads the Walnut Creek office and practices real estate, land use, environmental, and energy law. She advises and counsels commercial developers and property owners in connection with real estate acquisition and sales; development projects, green building, easements, and rights of way; and regulatory and land use approvals, including compliance with CEQA, NEPA, and the Endangered Species Act. She has acted as real estate counsel to potential purchasers and sellers of property valued from $100,000 to over $1 billion, including coordination and review of title, environmental due diligence, and disclosures. Kristen regularly counsels landlords and tenants and negotiates and documents commercial and industrial property leases and indemnities. She also represents contractors, real estate brokers, and owners’ associations in various energy, real estate, and environmental matters.
Kristen regularly counsels in a wide range of commercial and contractual matters. She has extensive experience negotiating power purchase agreements, transmission access, and funding agreements, and the financing of private electric power projects, including drafting contracts for power purchase, purchase and sale of environmental attributes, renewable energy credits (RECs) and carbon credits, distributorship, licenses, non-disclosure, collaboration, development, joint venture, and other arrangements. She has handled many purchases and sales of businesses, with an emphasis on companies with significant real estate portfolios and potential environmental liabilities.
In addition to developing corporate environmental compliance, green certification, and sustainability programs, Kristen advises clients on laws and regulations pertaining to air and water quality, hazardous substances, and California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) statutes. She has worked with regulators on local, state, and federal levels and advises on environmental clean-up responsibility, underground and above-ground storage tank removal and remediation, flow control, e-waste, and recycling issues. Her practice involves all aspects of the alternative energy business.
Clients working with Kristen participate in a diverse range of industries and occupations, including oil refineries and distributors, automotive service stations and parts outlets, energy and renewable energy companies, cable companies, clean technology companies, communications site management companies, agribusiness concerns, transportation and distribution companies, development companies, golf courses, construction materials retailers, commercial fishermen, neighborhood groups, non-profit corporations, and a variety of service businesses.
Kristen received her B.A. in Environmental Sciences from the University of California at Berkeley and her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. Before practicing law, Kristen was an Environmental Protection Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Thought Leadership
Publications
- “Schwarzenegger Raises RPS Requirement to 33% by 2020,” Client Alert, October 6, 2009
- “The Rush to Jump on the ‘Green’ Bandwagon,” Contra Costa Lawyer, September 2009
- “Money Doesn’t Talk, It Swears: A Snapshot of How the Economic Stimulus Bill Impacts the Homebuilding and Construction Industries,” Contra Costa Lawyer, June 2009
- “Disclosure Duties of User of Consumer Credit Scores,” Client Alert, October 16, 2001
Presentations
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Negotiating Ancillary Agreements for the Real Estate Facility,” Strafford CLE Webinar, January 12, 2022
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Structuring REC Purchase and Sale Agreement, Interconnection Agreement,” Strafford CLE Webinar, November 9, 2021
- “Introduction to the Many Diverse Opportunities in Real Estate,” UCREW Zoom Special Event, UC Berkeley, October 27, 2021
- “Land Use/CEQA,” Renewable Energy and Sustainability Class, M.S. Environmental Management Program, University of San Francisco, November 25, 2020
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Negotiating Ancillary Agreements for the Real Estate Facility,” Strafford CLE Webinar, September 14, 2020
- “Environmental Due Diligence,” Environmental Law & Policy Class, Santa Clara University School of Law, August 31, 2020
- “Opportunities in Commercial Real Estate,” Zoom Special Event for Cal Women’s Volleyball Team, UC Berkeley, April 20, 2020
- “Structuring Solar PV Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, March 18, 2020
- “Environmental Due Diligence,” Environmental Law & Policy Class, Santa Clara University School of Law, October 24, 2019
- “How to Harness the Sun and Wind in Your Community Renewable Energy Projects: Negotiating Power Purchase Agreements,” State Bar Environmental Law Conference, Yosemite, October 18, 2019
- “Fireside Chat: The Role of Legislation in Development,” Bisnow’s Evolution of Downtown Oakland, Oakland, March 13, 2019
- “Structuring Solar PV Agreements: Negotiating Real Estate Entitlements and Offtake Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, October 31, 2018
- “Green Is the New Black,” CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), East Bay Chapter, April 19, 2018
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Structuring REC Purchase and Sale Agreement, Interconnection Agreement,” Strafford CLE Webinar, April 5, 2018
- “Due Diligence – The Key to Uncovering Information Critical to the Closing,” National Business Institute Seminar, December 2017
- “Post-Closing Procedures: Tying Up Loose Ends,” National Business Institute Seminar, December 2017
- “Real Estate Transactions From A to Z,” National Business Institute Webinar, San Jose, December 4-5, 2017
- “Environmental Due Diligence,” Santa Clara University School of Law, September 21, 2017
- “Structuring Solar PV Agreements: Negotiating Real Estate Entitlements and Offtake Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, September 20, 2017
- “Playing It Smart: Avoiding Environmental Pitfalls in CRE Investments,” RINA/CDEC Real Estate Advice Seminar, March 7, 2017
- “Environmental Issues and Real Estate Title: A Practical Legal Guide,” National Business Institute Teleconference, February 15, 2017
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Negotiating Power Purchase Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, February 9, 2017
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Structuring REC Purchase and Sale Agreement, Interconnection Agreement,” Strafford CLE Webinar, October 13, 2016
- “Structuring Solar PV Agreements: Negotiating Real Estate Entitlements and Offtake Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, June 22, 2016
- “Structuring Solar PV Agreements: Negotiating Real Estate Entitlements and Offtake Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, April 30, 2015
- “The 2014 Environmental Legislative Recap: An Election Year Drought,” Cal Com, April 2015
- “How to Obtain Good Title in Real Estate Transactions,” National Business Institute Seminar, December 8, 2014
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Negotiating Power Purchase Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, May 21, 2014
- “Analysis of 2013 California Legislation: New Law 2013-2014,” Cal Com Program, May 2, 2014
- “New Year, New Laws: A Special One-Day Seminar,” Cal Com Program, Sacramento, March 27, 2013
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Negotiating Ancillary Agreements for the RE Facility,” Strafford CLE Webinar, December 5, 2012
- “Real Estate Closings from A to Z,” National Business Institute Seminar, November 29, 2012
- “In-Depth Title Insurance Principles,” National Business Institute Seminar, October 9, 2012
- “Landfill and Digester Gas Energy Projects,” East Bay Municipal Engineers Club, September 12, 2012
- “Negotiating Power Purchase Agreements for Renewable Energy Projects,” Strafford CLE Webinar, August 16, 2012
- “Renewable Energy PPA Ancillary Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, May 24, 2012
- “Renewable Energy PPA Ancillary Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, May 3, 2012
- “Strategies for Eliminating Bias in the Legal Profession,” Contra Costa County Bar Association, 2012
- “Sustainability 101: Green Law,” Lawyers Affiliated Worldwide (LAW) – Americas Regional Meeting, 2012
- “The Relationship Between Energy and Commercial Real Estate,” CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), East Bay Chapter, September 15, 2011
- “Negotiating Power Purchase Agreements for Renewable Energy Projects,” Strafford CLE Webinar, June 8, 2011
- “Landfill and Digester Gas Energy Projects,” South Bay Engineers Club, San Jose, March 4, 2011
- “Contractor’s Seminar: OSHA Laws Are Changing!,” Contra Costa Builders Exchange, March 3, 2011
- “Renewable Energy: PPA Ancillary Agreements for Major Energy Sources,” Strafford CLE Webinar, March 2, 2011
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Negotiating Ancillary Agreements for the RE Facility,” Strafford CLE Webinar, January 26, 2011
- “Renewable Energy Projects: Negotiating Power Purchase Agreements,” Strafford CLE Webinar, August 4, 2010
- “The Top Ten Things a Municipal Engineer Wants to Know About Bringing a Digester Gas or Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project to its Municipality,” East Bay Municipal Engineers Club, Concord, July 14, 2010
- “Renewable Energy Projects,” Women in Sustainability Luncheon, June 29, 2010
- “CEQA; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Carbon Trading and Credits,” CLE International Green Building Seminar, June 24-25, 2010
- “Assessing Environmental Risk,” CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), East Bay Chapter, Brown Bag Lunch, May 14, 2010
- “Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreements,” Strafford CLE International Seminar, December 10, 2009
- “Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreements,” Strafford CLE International Seminar, June 2, 2009
- “California Environmental Quality Act Overview,” USC Lusk Center for Real Estate/Bay Area Council’s Ross Program In Real Estate, December 2008
- “Green 101,” Contra Costa County Bar Association Real Estate Section Seminar, September 19, 2008
- “Investing in the Future with Diversity, Building a Better Law Practice,” Contra Costa County Bar Association Seminar, September 18, 2008, October 17, 2008, November 21, 2008, February 20, 2009, March 20, 2009
- “Sustainable Development: Incorporating Green Designs Into Your Building Projects,” Commercial Green Building Conference, Lorman Education Services, July 15, 2008
- “Interplay Between Environmental Issues in Land Development and the LEED Rating Systems – Evaluating Environmental Impacts In a Green Political Climate,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, July 15, 2008
- “Do’s and Don’ts of Emergency Response,” Cooper, White & Cooper, LLP Seminar, San Francisco, June 4, 2008
- “Overview of Legal Implications Associated with Green Ratings,” Build It Green Seminar, GreenPoint Rater Council, April 15, 2008
- “Environmental Issues in Development: Evaluating Environmental Impacts in a Green Political Climate,” First Annual CLE International Conference on Green Building, San Francisco, February 21-22, 2008
- “Evaluating Environmental Impacts,” Sierra Nevada College, North Lake Tahoe, September 2007
- “Zoning, Subdivision and Land Development Law in California,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, Santa Rosa, September 14, 2007
- “Commercial Real Estate Closings for Paralegals,” National Business Institute Seminar, July 19, 2007
- "Boundary Disputes: Resolving Conflicts Without Going to Court,” National Business Institute Seminar, November 8, 2006
- “Road and Access Law: Researching and Resolving Common Disputes,” National Business Institute Seminar, July 31, 2006
- “Encouraging Diversity,” Contra Costa County Bar Association, February 17, 2006
- “Keys to Success in a Real Estate Transaction in California,” National Business Institute Seminar, September 13, 2004
- “Land Use Law Update In California,” National Business Institute Seminar, May 17, 2004
- “Keys to Success in a Real Estate Transaction in California,” National Business Institute Seminar, February 10, 2004
- “Major Land Use Laws in California,” National Business Institute Seminar, August 5, 2003
- “Land Use Law Update in California,” National Business Institute Seminar, December 2002
- “Final Environmental Impact Statement: Red Star Restoration Project,” Tahoe National Forest, Foresthill Ranger District, Sierra Nevada College, November 2002
- “Land Use Law Update in California,” National Business Institute Seminar, November 2002
- “California Environmental Quality Act Overview,” U.C. Berkeley Extension, November 2002
Professional & Civic Engagement
- Contra Costa County Bar Association
- Diversity Committee, 2012
- Board of Directors, 2008 – 2012
- Real Estate Section, President, 2008 – 2012
- Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) – East Bay, President
- Industrial Association of Contra Costa County
- Women Presidents Organization, Diablo Valley Chapter
- Women in Cable Telecommunications
- Association of Women in Water, Energy and the Environment (formerly Women in Power)
- California Land Title Association
- Green Business Network of Contra Costa County
- California Lawyers Association, Real Estate and Environmental Law Sections
