Meet the Lawyer Who Treats Your Neighborhood Like Her Own

Attorney Mejia will empower you to take action

About Attorney Maria J. Mejia

Attorney Mejia has spent her career advocating for communities.

Before she was a licensed attorney, she opposed a development project threatening her neighborhood, and a system that was not paying attention.

She researched the law, helped build her own case, and took it to the California Court of Appeal. She won.

That experience is the foundation of her practice. Ms. Mejia deeply understands environmental law and the emotional weight of watching a community you care about come under threat.

Ms. Mejia works directly with clients.

Land use & zoning laws Lawyer Maria Mejia with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a navy blazer and a white top, sitting outdoors with a bench and greenery in the background.

Legal Background & Credentials

Attorney Maria Mejia has practiced law in California for over 19 years, primarily in the areas of environmental law, land use law, and family law. 

Attorney Mejia has been representing clients against development projects that fail to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and other applicable law, during City or County administrative proceedings and in court. 

Ms. Mejia has also consulted with clients regarding her primary areas of practice, as opposed to representing them.

Ms. Mejia acquired experience regarding CEQA prior to being admitted to the California State Bar, as shown through her published opinion, Mejia v. City of Los Angeles (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 322.

On September 1, 2006, Ms. Mejia was admitted to the California State Bar. In October 2012, Ms. Mejia was admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar.

Environmental Law attorney Maria Mejia being sworn in and admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar

How Ms. Mejia Got Started

Ms. Mejia represented herself during the City of Los Angeles administrative proceedings, requesting that the City and project developers comply with CEQA, among other things. 

In 2005, Ms. Mejia represented herself successfully before the California Court of Appeal, Second District, and obtained a ruling setting aside the City’s project approval and requiring that an environmental impact report (EIR) be prepared. 

The Court of Appeal issued its ruling in a published opinion, Mejia v. City of Los Angeles (2005) 130 Cal. App 4th 322. This opinion has been used as legal precedent in many other cases. 

Following that ruling, when the case returned to the trial court, Ms. Mejia represented herself on a motion for attorney's fees under Code of Civil Procedure, Section 1021.5. 

Ms. Mejia won that motion and was awarded most of the attorney’s fees she sought. The City paid its half of the attorney’s fees, but the developer appealed the trial court’s ruling. Ms. Mejia retained counsel to represent her on appeal. The Court of Appeal ruled in Ms. Mejia’s favor, resulting in a second published opinion, Mejia v. City of Los Angeles (2007) 156 Cal. App. 4th 151.

Family Law Lawyer Maria Mejia in business attire handing out an award

Education

Ms. Mejia earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, at San Diego, with a major in political science and minors in Spanish literature and Latin American studies. 

Ms. Mejia earned her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California.

Maria Mejia wearing a graduation cap and gown, smiling as she was officially admitted to the California State Bar

How Ms. Mejia Works

These are the values that guide every case Ms. Mejia handles, and the reasons clients continue to choose her over larger, high-volume law firms.

  • Ethical

    Ms. Mejia practices with integrity in everything she does. 

    She is straightforward about what she can and cannot do for a client, and she does not take on cases for the sake of volume. 

    Quality work and honest counsel are the standard, not the exception.

  • Passionate

    Ms. Mejia chose environmental law because she lived it. 

    Before she held a California bar license, she was already in the courts, fighting to obtain proper environmental review in her own community. 

    That commitment has not changed. This is the work upon which she has built her career.

  • Diligent

    Every case Ms. Mejia takes on receives her full attention. 

    She is thorough, conducts research, and takes the steps to go through the process.

    Thoroughness is one of the most consistent advantages she brings to every matter she handles.

  • Understanding

    Ms. Mejia is personally available to her clients.

    When you call, she answers. When you have questions, she takes the time to explain.

Published Opinions

Having a published court opinion is uncommon. Having two is rare.

Ms. Mejia's published opinions have been cited as legal precedent in cases beyond her own, and they represent a level of demonstrated experience that few individual attorneys can claim.

Published Opinion 01: Mejia v. City of Los Angeles (2005) 130 Cal. App. 4th 322

Before becoming a licensed attorney, Ms. Mejia represented herself before the California Court of Appeal, Second District. 

The court set aside the City of Los Angeles' approval of a 21-unit residential development project in the Shadow Hills area and required the preparation of an environmental impact report (EIR) under CEQA. Read the opinion here.

Published Opinion 02: Mejia v. City of Los Angeles (2007) 156 Cal. App. 4th 151

Following the 2005 ruling, Ms. Mejia pursued an award of attorney's fees at the trial court level, which the developer appealed. 

The Court of Appeal affirmed the award in Ms. Mejia's favor, resulting in a second published opinion. Read the opinion here.

Let us Help You Better Understand Your Options

A call with Ms. Mejia is the fastest way to understand your options and start moving forward. Every conversation starts with listening.

Call to Schedule a Consultation
Call to Schedule a Consultation