Attorneys

Linda J. LeZotte

Of Counsel

Land Use & Municipal Law

Linda J. LeZotte joined Berliner Cohen’s Land Use and Municipal Law Group in 2007 where she specializes in the areas of land use, environmental and municipal law and corporate development.  Linda served eight years as a distinguished member of the San Jose City Council leading the green building policy discussion, and six years as a San Jose Planning Commissioner.  Prior to public service, Linda practiced for three decades in the areas of corporate, partnership and estate planning law. Linda currently chairs the Joint Venture Silicon Valley Sustainable Buildings Initiative, and serves on the Cities Association Green Building Collaborative and the Advisory Board of Sustainable Silicon Valley. Linda is a frequent speaker on various topics relating to green development and the promotion of sustainable/green design. 

Education/Honors

  • Golden Gate University School of Law, LL.M. in Taxation, 1983
  • Lincoln University School of Law (San Francisco), J.D., 1980
  • Moot Court Competition, Best Oral Argument
  • San Jose State University, B.S., Business Administration and B.A., Behavioral Science, 1973
  • Foothill Jr. College, A.A. Business Administration, 1968

Non-Legal Professional Experience

  • Council Member, City of San Jose, 1999 - 2006
  • Planning Commissioner, City of San Jose, 1992 - 1998

Professional Admissions

  • State Bar of California, 1980 - present
  • United States Tax Court, 1988
  • United States District Court, Northern District of California, 1980
  • Supreme Court of California, 1980

Presentations

  • Green Development - Beyond the Myths and Barriers, Sustainable Silicon Valley, 2007
  • San Jose's Commitment to Become an Environmentally and Economically Sustainable City, Conference of U.S. Mayors - United Nations World Environment Day, San Francisco, 2005
  • Promoting Sustainable/Green Design - A City Council Member's Perspective, Green Building Fair, San Jose, 2005
  • Sustainable San Jose - One Year Later, SSV’s First Annual Report of CO2 emission reductions, San Jose, 2005
  • Safe Medicine Disposal - Implementing SB798, Santa Clara County's Implementation of a Safe Medicine Disposal Program, San Jose, 2006

Articles/Publications

  • Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, "Greening Global by Greening Silicon Valley," December 2007. For complete article, click here.

Activities/Memberships

  • Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, Board member; Chair, Sustainable Building Initiative
  • City of Saratoga, Hearing Officer
  • State Bar of California, Environmental and Real Property Law Sections
  • Santa Clara County Bar Association, Women Lawyers Committee – Past President
  • Sustainable Silicon Valley, Advisory Board
  • Resources Area for Teaching, Board of Directors
  • Presentation Conference & Retreat Center, Board of Directors, 2004 - 2007
  • San Jose-Dublin Sister City Committee
  • Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, Advisory Board
  • Rotary Club of San Jose North, Board of Directors
  • League of Conservation Voters, Santa Clara County, Board of Directors
  • San Jose Sports Authority, Board of Directors, 2002-2006

Achievements

  • League of Conservation Voters, Legislator of the Year
  • San Andreas Regional Center, Lifetime Achievement Award/Legislator of the Year
  • Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Legislative Leadership Award

Personal

  • Born in the Bronx, New York
  • Resident of West San Jose
  • Married
  • Interests include golf, exercise, anything about dinosaurs and/or anthropology