Ella Foley Gannon represents clients before a myriad of state and federal regulatory agencies, focusing her practice on federal and state environmental laws, natural resource permitting, and land use entitlements. Recognized as one of the leading permitting and siting lawyers in California and an authority in endangered species, wetland, water quality, and water rights issues, she assists developers and landowners who undertake complex development projects, including renewable and traditional energy and transmission projects, as well as residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use projects.
Named a “Top Woman Lawyer” by the Daily Journal in 2013 and 2014, Ella has also been recognized in Chambers USA as a “Leading Lawyer” in her field. Ella represents clients before state and federal regulatory agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Lands Management, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the California Energy Commission, the California State Water Resources Control Board, the nine California State Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and the California Department of Fish and Game. She represents clients before these agencies on issues involving the Clean Water Act, the Federal Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Warren-Alquist Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, the California Endangered Species Act, the Porter-Cologne Act, and the California Fish and Game Code. Ella has a strong track record of defending permits in both state and federal courts and in litigation involving challenges to state and federal rulemaking.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Ella was chair of the environmental, land use, and natural resources practice of another international law firm, where she was also a member of the executive board. Earlier in her career, Ella was a law clerk to Judge Melvin Brunetti of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She was also a research fellow for the University of California Water Resources Department.
Energy Projects
Project Planning and Permitting
Stormwater Permitting
Litigation
Administrative Advocacy
Recognized, Leaders in Environmental Law, Environmental Law and Litigation, Lawdragon Green 500 (2023)
Recognized, Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers (2021)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, San Francisco (2013–2020, 2022–2025)
Ranked, Environment, California, Chambers USA (2013–2024)
Leading Lawyer, Industry focus: Environment: regulatory, The Legal 500 US (2022–2024)
Recommended, Energy: Energy litigation: oil and gas, The Legal 500 US (2024)
Recommended, Industry focus: Environment: regulatory, The Legal 500 US (2019–2021)
Recommended, Industry focus: Energy litigation: oil and gas, The Legal 500 US (2017, 2020–2023)
Recognized, Northern California, Super Lawyers (2012–2023)
Top Woman Lawyer, The Best Lawyers in America (2016, 2017)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Environmental, Law360 (2017, 2019)
Recognized, Acritas Star Lawyer (2017)
Recommended, Environment Litigation, The Legal 500 US (2013–2016)
Recognized, Top Woman Lawyer, Daily Journal (2013–2014)
Member, Order of the Coif