Susy Forbath

Regulatory and Government Relations Professional

Santa Monica

(310) 309-4500

(310) 594-7308

Susy plays an instrumental  role in the firm’s Zoning & Land Use Practice. Susy plays a strategic role in obtaining clients’ land use approvals and entitlements from state and local agencies, providing guidance and advocacy to ensure that client positions on legislative and land use matters receive the attention they deserve from decision makers and stakeholders. 

Working with real estate investors, developers, and operators in the multi-family, manufactured housing, industrial, and logistics industries, Susy focuses on regulatory compliance and working to obtain favorable decisions from governmental agencies on property rights and entitlement issues. She works closely with associated engineers, appraisers, lenders, and state agencies, including the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Real Estate, and the California Coastal Commission.

With her focus on regulatory analysis and the governmental approval process for all forms of land use and development, Susy works with planning agencies, legislators, and commissions and boards of local government to ensure that clients’ zoning and entitlement needs are met and projects completed as smoothly and expeditiously as possible. She oversees local lobbying efforts, conducts community meetings on numerous issues, and interfaces with homeowner associations and city representatives to develop mutually beneficial working relationships between all parties. 

Susy coordinates public relations campaigns and works to provide media with current and accurate issue and project related information. 

In addition, Susy is actively involved in local and statewide legislative advocacy to protect property owners’ rights. She has co-authored articles on subdivision, fair return, and the ill-effects of rent control. Susy is also active in several state and national industry associations.

News

Los Angeles and Santa Monica Attorneys Participates in Adoption Day

November 19, 2018

Los Angeles and Santa Monica offices finalized pro bono adoptions for six families.

Publications

California Adopts Emergency Cannabis Regulations [Alert]

February 17, 2021

Susy Forbath and Thomas Casparian discuss the emergency regulations implementing processes for cannabis businesses to authorize the California Bureau of Cannabis to share licensee information with financial institutions.

Beware the Anti-Gouging Trap

December 28, 2018

Thomas Casparian and Susy Forbath authored an article in California Mobilehome Parkowners Alliance’s publication Alliance News.

Expanded Rent Control Dead — For Now [Alert]

November 07, 2018

Richard Close, Thomas Casparian, Duane Montgomery, Spencer Isaac Eldred, and Susy Forbath discuss California voters rejection of Prop.10, which would have expanded the ability of local governments to implement more comprehensive rent control.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Rent Control: Lessons from Recent Experiences

November 14, 2019 - Chicago, IL

Education

  • Central Washington University, B.A.

Member, Government Affairs Committee, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) – Greater Los Angeles, 2018-2019