Barbara (NW)

Profile: Barbara J. Schussman

Professional Background

Barbara J. Schussman is a seasoned attorney with a strong focus on environmental and land use law. She is a partner at Perkins Coie, where she helps clients secure federal, state, and local agency approvals necessary for the development of various private and public projects.

Expertise

• Environmental and Land Use Law: Barbara has deep expertise in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other land use and environmental regulations, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, federal and state endangered species acts, and the California Coastal Act.
• Project Approvals: She has a proven track record in securing approvals for a wide range of projects, including oil refinery modernizations, industrial-scale wind and solar facilities, and other industrial, commercial, and housing developments.
• Litigation: Barbara is an experienced litigator who has successfully defended project approvals and environmental permits in state and federal courts, including the California Supreme Court.

Relevant Experience in Oil Projects

• Oil Refinery Projects: Barbara has represented oil refineries in Contra Costa County and Benicia, California, on various issues such as CEQA compliance, air permitting approvals, and land use permitting for projects including the installation of a $750 million delayed coker unit and new safety flare. She has also handled CEQA compliance for equipment installations to enhance crude oil processing flexibility and compliance with state regulations for seismic safety upgrades to pier facilities.

Key Skills

• Regulatory Compliance: Expertise in navigating complex regulatory regimes to secure timely project approvals.
• Litigation Defense: Proven ability to defend approvals and environmental permits in court.
• Project Development: Strategic insight in developing solutions to reduce risk and ensure project progression.
• Collaboration: Strong collaborative skills in working with client teams to find solutions to regulatory challenges.

Notable Projects

• Chevron’s Richmond Refinery Modernization: Defended CEQA and Clean Air Act challenges to the modernization project.
• Oil Refinery Expansions: Handled CEQA compliance and land use permitting for various oil refinery expansion and modification projects in California.

Publications and Leadership

• Author: Barbara is the author of the CEQA chapter of Curtin’s California Land Use and Planning Law.
• Leadership Roles: She serves on the firm’s management and executive committees.