Schooled as a lawyer and planner, Joel Ellinwood integrates the insights and skills of both disciplines in addressing land use and environmental issues.  Effective communication with all interested parties through a variety of strategies is a core value and strength.  His practice is based on values of honesty, integrity, respect and openness.  He is committed to help create a more sustainable future through land use and environmental practices, which he has integrated into his own office practice.

Seasoned by litigation  While success in land use matters is most often achieved by staying out of court, Joel Ellinwood has the perspective of a lawyer who has tried and settled cases, and taken them through appeals.  In 2007-08 alone, he was the lead counsel who briefed and argued three reported cases in land use procedure, CEQA and the federal Voting Rights Act (attached, below).

Gives back to his community and his profession  Joel is an active member of the American Planning Association California Chapter, the Sacramento Council of the Urban Land Institute and the State Bar of California Zoning & Planning Subsection of the Real Property section. He frequently teaches seminars for lawyers, planners and other real estate professionals and publishes articles in professional journals and on the internet.  He regularly volunteers as a judge in high school moot court/mock trial competitions and in the ULI-sponsored Urban Plan curriculum in area high schools.  He has also been an active member of the board of directors for a living history festival in Marysville and the Magic Circle Theatre in Roseville, Californiia.