(619) 239-7600 robin@SDLandLaw.com

San Diego Land Lawyers

ROBIN MUNRO MADAFFER, ESQ.

PRESIDENT GENERAL COUNSEL

Click for Robin's Bio

Robin Munro Madaffer

President / General Counsel

Robin Munro Madaffer is both the President of Madaffer Enterprises, Inc. and the President of San Diego Land Lawyers, Inc., a law firm specializing in real estate, land use, policy and environmental regulatory matters.  She counsels clients who develop mixed-use, residential (including affordable), commercial, industrial, office, retail and resort projects.  Robin advises on all aspects of public policy, including land use entitlements, due diligence, CEQA compliance, Subdivision Map Act, Coastal Act, development feasibility, community outreach, processing, permitting and implementation.  Robin appears regularly on behalf of clients before Planning Commissions, City Councils, Board of Supervisors, Coastal Commission and other public agencies.

Robin is former Vice Chair of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.  She received the Chairman’s Alonzo Award for her work chairing a partnership between business, government and social service providers dedicated to ending homelessness in San Diego.  Robin is a member of Lambda Alpha International, a national real estate economics society, and past District Council Chair of Urban Land Institute San Diego/ Tijuana.  Robin has served as a professor at the University of San Diego, Real Estate Certification Program, and a former law professor at California Western School of Law, teaching Land Use Entitlements and Environmental Regulation.  She has also served as a Judge for the Moot Court Competitions for both University of San Diego and California Western Schools or Law.  Robin routinely speaks to professional industry organizations and the media about emerging trends in land use.

Robin attended Arizona State University, obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in English from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law.

Robin enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with the Madaffer’s English Bulldogs, Ruby and Red.

FARAH MAHZARI

DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Click for Farah's Bio

Farah Mahzari joined San Diego Land Lawyers as Director of Government Affairs after retiring from the City of San Diego. She was at the City for over 30 years where she worked as a Senior Development Project Manager in Development Services Department and an Associate Engineer-Traffic in both Development Services and Transportation & Storm Water departments.

Farah has a wealth of engineering and project management experience. She is a hybrid expert – an engineer who is comfortable working alongside planners to shepherd projects through the maze of development process.

She provides services to property buyers, owners, and developers on due diligence and site assessment matters. In addition, Farah is fully versed in the permitting and processing of discretionary and administrative permits, subdivisions, approvals and property development entitlements, as well as neighborhood code compliance and zoning violation matters.

Farah has a proven track record of excellent customer service, problem-solving, negotiating, and the ability to balance the competing interests in regulatory and political environments.

Farah earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from United States International University and has benefitted from numerous leadership academies at the City. She worked at the County of San Diego, City of El Cajon, and a private engineering firm prior to joining the City of San Diego.

MO SAMMAK

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING, LAND USE AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Click for Mo's Bio

Mo Sammak will leads the firm’s in-house engineering, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance practice and support the firm’s mission of delivering innovative and practical land use solutions for its clients.

With a distinguished career spanning 30 years in engineering and land development, Mo Sammak brings extensive expertise in project management, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure planning. Prior to joining San Diego Land Lawyers, he held key leadership positions at The City of San Diego and the City of Solana Beach, where he spearheaded major engineering projects and contributed to the advancement of land use practices.

Mr. Sammak holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Hydraulic and Geotechnical Engineering from San Diego State University. Sammak is a licensed professional Engineer. His deep understanding of California’s complex land use and environmental regulations positions him as a valuable asset to both the firm and its clients.

KYLE ALDERMAN

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Click for Kyle's Bio

As a San Diego native, Kyle comes to San Diego Land Lawyers with experience in retail management and client relations. His time spent working with consumers helped develop a passion for creativity and problem solving. His additional background in writing and communication also helps deliver clear and concise messages. Furthermore, Kyle has knowledge in photo and video editing. He has created and appeared in media content for local productions such as The List San Diego. Kyle attended Cuyamaca College where he earned a degree in communications, and Point Loma Nazarene University where he earned a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism. Kyle serves as Public Affairs Manager, assisting in various projects and collaborating with a wide range of diverse clients.

When out of the office, Kyle loves to take advantage of everything San Diego has to offer. You can find him either in the local mountains and deserts or attending live music shows with friends and family.

TASIA LEWIS

VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS

Click for Tasia's Bio

A native San Diegan with business and family ties to America’s Finest City, Tasia comes to San Diego Land Lawyers with 20 years of experience in the shopping center property management industry, where she held positions in operations, marketing and real estate development.

As the Development Coordinator for Westfield’s San Diego region, Tasia has worked on multiple portfolio assets, with flagship and residential developments with job costs of $1.2 billion. Tasia was recently involved with the University Towne Center expansion and 23-story residential tower developments in La Jolla, California. There she acted as liaison for the project developer, coordinating with a 200-person construction staff, financial analysts, fee developer and joint venture partners.

Tasia is also a freelance graphic designer and artist specializing in logo design, branding collateral, as well as web design, she brings a creative and strategic approach to all business endeavors.

In her free time, Tasia enjoys live music, special effects make-up, painting, sculpting and all things creative in nature. Most importantly she adores spending time with family and friends often frequenting local beaches and craft breweries.

Representative Clients

Jenny Craig – assist with land use entitlement strategy for 200+ acres in the county of San Diego.
Surf Cup Sports Entertainment – negotiated and drafted lease with the city of San Diego for the property commonly referred to as the Polo Fields. Advise and assist with approval of development and use permits for the property.
Scripps Health – outside real estate/land use counsel advising and assisting with redeveloping Scripps’ medical campuses throughout San Diego.
Westfield – outside real estate/land use counsel advising and assisting with processing, approval and implementation of a master redevelopment of UTC mall, Horton Plaza, Mission Valley Mall and others.
Pacifica Enterprises – negotiated and drafted lease with the city of San Diego for Belmont Park.
Marriott International – local lobbying and political strategist for potential new hotel in the downtown Ballpark District.