Rachael B. SantanaAttorney | West Palm Beach
Attorney | West Palm Beach
Rachael’s practice focuses on working closely with clients to listen, understand and execute their strategic objectives within the evolving and complex area of environmental and land use permitting and litigation in Florida. Rachael assists clients in obtaining local, state and federal environmental permits and, when necessary, defending those permits in administrative and civil courts.
Areas of Practice
Rachael’s practice involves understanding the ever-evolving interplay between science and the law in issues related to:
Federal versus state jurisdiction for “waters of the United States”
Wetlands and impacts to wetlands
Endangered species
Sovereignty submerged land authorizations and other land use related topics
Publications and Presentations
In Too Deep - Clean Water Regulations Can Make You Sink or Swim, March 2022
State Assumption of the Clean Water Act Section 404 Permitting Program: Part I, an Overview, co-authored with Susan Roeder Martin, The Florida Bar Journal, January/February 2021
Final Waters of the US Rule Remains Murky, Journal American Water Works Association, June 2015
The Proposed "Waters of the United States" Rule: Clearer or more confusing?, Journal American Water Works Association, September 2014
Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting: A Model Ordinance for Local Governments and Model Guidelines for Incorporation into Governing Documents of Planned Communities, Condominiums, Cooperatives and Homeowner’s Associations, University of Florida, May 2013
Recurring presenter at “Youth Law Day” and “Career Day” events at local pre-law academy and pre-law magnet schools on various natural resources and environmental law topics
Professional, Civic and Community Involvement
The Florida Bar, Member, 2013-present
Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar (ELULS), Chair, 2020-2021; Chair-Elect, 2019-2020; Natural Resources Committee, Chair, 2017-2019; Membership and Outreach Committee, Chair, 2018-present
The American Bar Association, Member, 2014-present
North Palm Beach Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association, Board Member, 2018-2020
University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Natural Resource Leadership Institute, Fellow, 2017-2018
Sea Turtle Conservancy – Conservation Clinic, Legal Intern, 2012-2013
Public Interest Environmental Conference, “The Endangered Species Act at 40: Polishing the Crown Jewel” University of Florida Levin College of Law, Finance Chair 2011-2012; Co-Chair 2012-2013
Division of Administrative Hearings, Legal Intern for Administrative Law Judge Bram Canter, 2012
University of Florida Law’s Conflict Resolution Initiative, Outreach Coordinator, 2011-2012
Representative Court Decisions
Awards and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2023
On the Rise - Top 40 Young Lawyers Award, American Bar Association, 2020
Florida Rising Stars, Environmental Law, 2020-present
Top Lawyer in Natural Resources Law, Palm Beach Illustrated Magazine, 2021
Stephens/Register Memorial Award, Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar (ELULS), 2016 and 2017. Rachael is the only person in the Section’s history to receive the award twice.
International and Comparative Environmental Law Book Award, University of Florida Levin College of Law
Sustainable Development Book Award, University of Florida Levin College of Law
Conservation Clinic Book Award, University of Florida Levin College of Law
Capstone Colloquium Book Award, University of Florida Levin College of Law
Practices
Industries
Education
J.D., University of Florida, 2013
Environmental and Land Use Law Certificate, University of Florida, 2013
B.A., cum laude, University of Florida, 2010