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HOME FIRM PROFILE SERVICES FEATURED PROJECTS CLIENTS NEWS STAFF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT US |
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Staff Directory
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CRAIG LAWSON, President |
310-838-2400 Ext. 104 |
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Complete profile |
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Craig Lawson is President of Craig Lawson & Co., LLC, which he founded in 1999. Over the last 18 years, Craig Lawson & Co., LLC has grown to be the largest independent land use consulting firm in Los Angeles. The firm, with 14 employees, has carried out zoning research, land use analysis, and entitlement processing for hundreds of complex residential, commercial, industrial and institutional projects, including the Metropolis mega-project in downtown Los Angeles, the Emerson College Los Angeles campus in Hollywood, the Vermont/Wilshire high rise project in Koreatown, and Il Villagio Toscano in the San Fernando Valley. Craig is on the Advisory and Management Committees of the Urban Land Institute, Los Angeles Chapter, and serves as an expert witness and frequent speaker on zoning and land use issues.
Craig has over 40 years of experience in the public and private sectors including 12 years (1987 to 1999) at C.W. Cook Co., Inc., a well-known Los Angeles land use planning, civil engineering and surveying firm and almost 10 years (1977 to 1987) as urban planning, transportation policy and economic development advisor to former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. He served as Mayor Bradley's liaison to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, which managed the successful 1984 Olympic Games. He has a B.A. Degree in Political Science and Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and did graduate work in local government and public policy at the USC School of Public Administration.
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JIM RIES, Senior Vice President / Partner |
310-838-2400 Ext. 101 |
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Complete profile |
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Jim has over 30 years of experience in architecture, development and land use entitlements, including 10 years at Bobrow Thomas Associates (BTA), 2 years at the Malibu Bay Company (owner of the key commercial land parcels in Malibu), and 1 year (1998-1999) at C.W. Cook Co., Inc. where he prepared the land use entitlement applications for the Hollywood Marketplace retail project. In his 16 years at Craig Lawson & Co., LLC, Jim has managed the land use analysis and entitlement application processing for numerous complex development projects, including 8th & Grand (700 rental units with a Whole Foods Market), Toy Factory Lofts, Apex Mixed Use Project, Biscuit Company Lofts, 4th & Hill, Rossmore House Apartments, Venice Lofts, City Market Los Angeles, and the Pioneer Bakery project.
Jim has developed an expertise in obtaining entitlements for affordable housing and density bonus projects, working with various non-profit developers including Abode Communities, Skid Row Housing Trust, and Mercy Housing. He is also an expert on projects in Downtown Los Angeles, the Downtown Arts District, and Central City West. From 2007 to 2015, Jim served as an appointed member of the Planning Commission for the City of Santa Monica, which coordinated the comprehensive update of the City's Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE). He attended UCLA where he earned a B.A. Degree in Political Science and a Master's Degree in Urban Planning.
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DONNA SHEN TRIPP, Vice President / Partner |
310-838-2400 Ext. 113 |
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Complete profile |
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Donna Tripp has more than 15 years of experience in community planning and development, and land use entitlements. Since joining Craig Lawson & Co., LLC at the end of 2012, Donna has conducted zoning and land use analyses, prepared due diligence reports, and processed discretionary entitlement requests for projects ranging from large residential subdivisions to affordable housing projects, and from commercial towers to transit-oriented mixed-use projects throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
Prior to joining Craig Lawson & Co., LLC, Donna was the Regional Manager at Schmitz & Associates, Inc., specializing in Coastal and hillside projects throughout Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County. During her over 10 years at Schmitz & Associates, Donna not only managed all operational functions and staff at the company, she also prepared development feasibility analyses for hundreds of sites in the aforementioned communities, as well as successfully represented and secured discretionary approvals for dozens of complex, multi-jurisdictional development projects. These projects ranged from high-end residential estate homes in the Santa Monica Mountains to agricultural and equestrian facilities, and from municipal park projects to urban commercial projects.
Donna also served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development (CPD) at the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department in the late-1990s. While at HUD, Donna was very involved with CPD’s affordable housing, homeless assistance, community planning and economic development programs and grants. A member of the Urban Land Institute and American Planning Association, Donna obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, her Masters of Science degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego.
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ANDIE ADAME, Senior Project Manager II |
310-838-2400 Ext. 106 |
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Complete profile |
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Andie has over 20 years of experience as an urban planner and designer, including over 13 years with Craig Lawson & Co., LLC specializing in urban infill projects and 7 years with Killefer Flammang Architects. She has Masters Degrees in Urban Planning and Architecture from UCLA and a B.A. in Economics from UC Irvine. Andie has managed the land use analysis and entitlement process for numerous complex development projects, including the Metropolis mega-project in downtown Los Angeles (over 2 million square feet including a 350-room hotel, 1,560 condominium units, & 75,000 square feet of commercial in 4 towers), the Circa project (648 units and 48,000 square feet of commercial in two towers), Marriott Residence Inn & Courtyard by Marriott project (393 hotel rooms), LA Central project (2007 Figueroa Central approvals of 860 units, 222 hotel rooms, 223,801 square feet of commercial in two towers in over 1.4 million square feet), Glass Tower project (151 units), Highland Park Transit Village project (119 units on three sites adjacent to the Metro Gold Line), MacArthur Park Metro Station mixed-use project (172 units with 32,850 s.f. of retail), Taylor Yard Transit Village project (401 units and 29,400 square feet of commercial), 11th and Grand Live/Work project (417 units), the AMDA Los Angeles Campus, and the Bassett Furniture Site (Avenue 26) with over 500 residential units. Andie has also been active in civic activities in downtown Los Angeles, as a member of the Central City Association and a volunteer at the Metro Charter Elementary School.
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SHANE SWERDLOW, Senior Project Manager II |
310-838-2400 Ext. 110 |
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Complete profile |
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Shane joined Craig Lawson & Co., LLC in 2015 and manages the land use entitlement approval process for diverse real estate development projects throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area. He specializes in zoning research, land use analysis, project team coordination, community outreach, and government relations for projects involving residential, commercial, mixed-use, hotel, museum, school, and other institutional uses.
In his previous experience as a Senior Associate at Chattel, Inc., a Los Angeles-based historic preservation consulting firm, he consulted on rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic properties throughout the West. Projects included securing local, state, and federal approvals for rehabilitation of Mission Santa Barbara, The Neon Museum Las Vegas, and Torrance’s Pacific Electric Railway El Prado Bridge, as well as adaptive reuse of the Maxfield, Garment Capitol, and Sears, Roebuck & Co. Mail Order buildings in Downtown Los Angeles. He also helped cities, including Los Angeles, Orange, and Whittier, implement their historic preservation ordinances by conducting historical resource surveys, such as SurveyLA, and processing nearly 300 Mills Act Contracts, which provide property tax reduction to qualified owners of historic buildings.
Shane holds degrees in Public Policy, Management, & Planning and Business Administration, with concentrations in Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, and International Business, from the University of Southern California. He meets the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards in Architectural History. For the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, he serves as a Member (and Immediate Past President) of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, as well as a member of the School’s Athenian Society Leadership Council. Shane is also a member of the USC Alumni Real Estate Network Leadership Council and Accordion Federation of North America. He previously served on the Board of Directors and Planning and Land Use Committee for the Mid City West Community Council (a City of Los Angeles Certified Neighborhood Council).
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JOSH KREGER, Project Manager I |
310-838-2400 Ext. 109 |
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Complete profile |
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Coming soon.
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JESSICA HENCIER, Project Manager I |
310-838-2400 Ext. 117 |
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Complete profile |
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With experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, Jessica brings a holistic and dynamic approach to solving complex issues facing cities and communities today. Since joining Craig Lawson & Co., LLC in 2014, Jessica has been involved in conducting complex planning and land use analyses and managing entitlement applications for a variety of development projects throughout the City of Los Angeles. Additionally, Jessica is the Festival Coordinator for Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar's annual Night on Broadway event. Night on Broadway is a part of Councilmember Huizar's Bringing Back Broadway initiative - a 10 year plan to revitalize the historic Broadway Corridor in Downtown Los Angeles.
Prior to joining Craig Lawson & Co., LLC, Jessica was an Associate with Urban One where she provided a range of services for planning and development projects. For the Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project, she was responsible for coordination of the environmental review, which included working with consulting and engineering teams as well as all City departments to review technical documents and maintain the environmental clearance schedule. Before that, Jessica worked with the University of Southern California’s Real Estate and Asset Management Department. At USC Real Estate, Jessica was responsible for assisting in compliance with the mitigation measures of the USC Specific Plan and items of the Development Agreement, including matters related to Historic Preservation, Transportation and Circulation, and Urban Design. She has also worked with the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian programs.
Jessica earned her Master of Urban Planning degree at the University of Southern California, concentrating in both Transportation and the Preservation and Design of the Built Environment. She also holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology from Whittier College.
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JAMIE POSTER, Project Manager I |
310-838-2400 Ext. 107 |
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Complete profile |
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Jamie joined Craig Lawson & Co., LLC in 2015 where she specializes in the preparation of entitlement applications for numerous projects located in the Downtown Los Angeles area and across the City. Jamie manages the land use analysis and entitlement process for Small Lot Subdivisions and Specific Plan Project Permits and coordinated the land use entitlements for a complex social services project in Hollywood. Prior to working at Craig Lawson & Co., LLC, Jamie worked at the Taylor Group in Los Angeles (a land use consultancy) where she processed Conditional Use Permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages (CUBs), and worked on projects subject to the Ventura-Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan and the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan.
Jamie earned her Master of Public Policy degree from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Jamie has a B.A. in Music from Colby College and she is an E-RYT-200 certified yoga instructor. Jamie is also a member of the Westside Urban Forum (WUF) and is an appointed member of the Palms Neighborhood Council where she services on the Planning and Land Use Committee.
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LAUREN FINKEL, Associate Project Manager I / Associate Administrative Manager |
310-838-2400 Ext. 111 |
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Complete profile |
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Lauren joined Craig Lawson & Co., LLC in 2006. She specializes in zoning research and land use analysis and prepares applications for entitlements on a wide range of projects. Lauren also has a talent for creating visual presentations that best describe the characteristics and merits of projects to decision-makers and neighborhood groups.
As the Associate Administrative Manager, Lauren also helps coordinate and manage office operations.
Lauren received her Bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) in Geography and Environmental Studies, with minors in Urban Studies and Public Policy and her Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. Additionally, Lauren serves as the Vice President of her Home Owners Association.
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AIMEE LUAN, Project Manager I |
310-838-2400 Ext. 116 |
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Complete profile |
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Aimee Luan joined Craig Lawson & Co., LLC in 2016. She specializes in research and preparation of land use and zoning reports as well as entitlement applications for various projects. Prior to joining Craig Lawson & Co., LLC, Aimee was a Community Development Assistant at the City of Reno, where she directly worked with residents and developers to address development concerns that relate to planning and zoning issues. Her responsibilities expanded during her two years at the City of Reno to include providing preliminary plan check on minor residential building permits, reviewing business license applications for appropriate zoning and parking standards, preparing public notices for city hearings, and verifying all existing off-site signs within city limits.
Aimee has a B.S. Degree in both Economics and Finance from the University of Nevada Reno and her Master’s Degree in Planning from the University of Southern California.
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JON MEYER, Assosiate Project Manager II |
310-838-2400 Ext. 112 |
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Complete profile |
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Coming soon.
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CRYSTAL VILLALPANDO, Assistant Project Manager I |
310-838-2400 Ext. 102 |
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Complete profile |
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Coming soon.
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LUKE JABOBS, Assistant Project Manager I |
310-838-2400 Ext. 100 |
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Complete profile |
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Coming soon.
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3221 Hutchison Avenue, Suite D . Los Angeles, California 90034 |
Phone: 310-838-2400 . Fax: 310-838-2424 |
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