IRVINE,CA-Lawyer Douglas E. Wance has joined the Buchalter Nemer Real Estate Practice Group as a partner. The veteran environmental law practitioner is considered an expert in both land use and water resources, and works with both public agencies and private sector clients.

In an interview, Wance describes his practice as working “half on the private side and half public side.” On the public side, he represents public agencies like special districts or water districts, concerning water rights and eminent domain.

On the private side, he adds, “I work with large commercial developments, mainly on environmental contamination issues, water resources and water quality,” Wance says. “People are trying to acquire water rights and access to water for future projects, and that’s a big deal for industrial/commercial clients,” he adds.

Buchalter Nemer's Real Estate Group has grown to 28 lawyers in the past several years. Lawyers in the real estate practice group “represent investors, lenders, developers and off-shore financial institutions in real estate projects involving manufacturing facilities, schools, hospitals, hotels, multi-family rental, office, industrial, for-sale residential, biotech and life-sciences,” according to a company statement.