Ha Chung

Ha Chung is an attorney in JMBM's Government, Land Use, Environment & Energy Group and the Natural Resources and Mining Group. He represents residential and commercial developers, mining companies, oil and gas companies, industrial clients, and public agencies in navigating complex land use entitlements, environmental compliance, and regulatory strategy for high-stakes projects across California. Ha brings in-depth experience in federal land issues, mineral extraction regulations, water rights, and environmental permitting that benefits clients across diverse industries facing similar regulatory challenges. He leverages his background as an environmental consultant prior to law school to bridge technical data and legal strategy. As a technical consultant, he compiled California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) air quality, noise, and greenhouse gas impact studies for mixed-use developments, airport expansions, and remediation projects, and conducted compliance analyses under air quality rules and local noise ordinances for high-profile infrastructure projects. 

Core Practice Areas  

• Mining and Mineral Extraction Law - Ha provides legal services for mineral development projects, aggregate quarries, and sand and gravel operations. His work includes federal, state, and local mine permitting, mining claim assessments, Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) compliance including vested rights analysis, mining-related transactions, mining leases, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mineral materials sales. He regularly handles matters related to federal Department of Interior (DOI) agencies including BLM, National Park Service (NPS), and other state and local agencies regarding mining approvals and regulatory compliance.
• Oil & Gas - Ha has experience advising oil and gas producers, petroleum refiners, renewable fuels companies, and industry associations on regulatory compliance and environmental permitting matters. His work includes CEQA compliance for refinery and pipeline infrastructure; federal offshore platform decommissioning regulations; CalGEM operator liability and well abandonment issues; municipal land use challenges to local ordinances affecting oil and gas operations; California Coastal Commission matters; and environmental due diligence for properties with oil and gas operations. 
• Land Use & Development Entitlements - Ha secures land use approvals, zoning changes, and development permits for mixed-use, residential, and commercial projects, including compliance with zoning, California Coastal Act, Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, local general plans, and the Density Bonus Law. His experience includes analyzing complex subdivision requirements and jurisdictional issues for major development projects. 
• Water Rights and Water Quality - Ha advises clients on water rights disputes, groundwater sustainability planning, and compliance with State Water Resources Control Board regulations. His water practice includes analyzing water supply assessments for development projects, navigating groundwater management requirements, and securing water rights allocations for both municipal and industrial uses. He regularly handles matters involving Regional Water Quality Control Boards and assists clients with water quality compliance and permitting issues.
• Environmental Permitting & Compliance - Ha advises clients on endangered species protections, Habitat Conservation Plans, and Incidental Take Permits under state and federal Endangered Species Acts. His environmental practice includes air quality compliance with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), noise mitigation, greenhouse gas impact analysis, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act, RCRA, and CERCLA matters. He also handles oil and gas matters, including resolving issues under California Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) regulations. 

Ha provides counsel to the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA). He is fluent in Korean, is a member of the Korean American Bar Association (KABA), and is involved with the Korean Real Estate Professional Association (KREPA).