Phone: (619) 236-1551 | eMail: morganc@higgslaw.com
Cynthia Morgan practices in the areas of land use, real estate, and public agency where she drafts and negotiates development agreements; conditions of approval; amendments to ordinances, general plans, specific plans and community plans; zone changes; conditional use permits; variances; development entitlements; leases; purchase and sale agreements; easements; licenses, letters of intent, and memorandum of understanding.
Ms. Morgan also analyzes and advises clients on environmental impact reports and statements under the California Environmental Quality Act; negotiates with public agencies on federal, state and regional development requirements; and assists individuals and community members challenging governmental and third-party land use decisions. Ms. Morgan counsels clients regarding Green building and leasing and has been a featured expert at various seminars. Ms. Morgan works collaboratively with clients and adversaries to create effective, realistic, and cost-effective solutions to challenges and issues.
She has successfully:
- Represented a hotel developer in obtaining entitlements for a LEED Certified 152-room hotel;
- Negotiated the purchase of property and entitlements for a 100-unit, mixed-use condominium project with affordable housing and historic designation;
- Opposed an addiction and treatment center from relocating to a commercial area;
- Negotiated favorable traffic, parking and environmental conditions of approval for a 169-room hotel.
Ms. Morgan’s background has allowed her to represent a diverse clientele that includes developers, community groups, public agencies, and non-profits. Ms. Morgan was a Deputy City Attorney in the Oceanside City Attorney Office and in the Criminal and Civil Trial Unit in the San Diego City Attorney Office. Ms. Morgan was a Municipal Legal Fellow for the League of California Cities and a Georgetown Law Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellow where she was placed with the National Association of Women Judges, and taught a law course as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University.
Ms. Morgan is very active in the community and was appointed for a three year term by Mayor Jerry Sanders to serve as a Board of Director for the Centre City Development Corporation in 2011. She also serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the East Village Association; Executive Committee and Advisory Board of Run Women Run, and Co-Chair of the Women’s Resource Fair for the past four years.
PRACTICE GROUPS
EDUCATION
- J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School (1999)
- B.A., Michigan State University (1995)
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
- California
AFFILIATIONS
- State Bar of California
- San Diego County Bar Association
- Lawyers Club of San Diego
- San Diego Policy Forum
- Urban Land Institute
- Building Industry Association
- East Village Association
- Run Women Run
AWARDS
- 2009 Metropolitan Magazine 40 Under 40
- 2011 San Diego Business Journal Women Who Mean Business