Darien Key
About Darien Key
Darien Key is an attorney specializing in groundwater litigation and environmental law, currently working at Fennemore and serving as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Pleasant Hill. He has extensive experience in various legal roles, including positions at Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo and Hanson Bridgett LLP.
Work at Fennemore
Darien Key has been employed as an Attorney at Fennemore since 2022. The firm is located in Oakland, California. In this role, Key specializes in groundwater litigation and compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Key's work involves navigating complex legal issues related to environmental and land use law.
Previous Legal Experience
Before joining Fennemore, Darien Key held various legal positions. Key worked as an Associate Attorney at Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo from 2021 to 2022 in South San Francisco, California. Prior to that, Key served as an Attorney at Hanson Bridgett LLP from 2019 to 2021 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Key also worked as an Associate at Klein DeNatale Goldner from 2018 to 2019 in the Bakersfield area.
Education and Expertise
Darien Key earned a Doctor of Law (JD) degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, specializing in Environmental and Energy Law, from 2015 to 2018. Key also holds a Bachelor's degree in History from San Diego State University, completed from 2011 to 2014. Key's educational background supports expertise in environmental and land use law, particularly in relation to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Current Role as Planning Commissioner
In 2023, Darien Key was appointed to the City of Pleasant Hill's Planning Commission for a four-year term. In this role, Key contributes to local governance and planning decisions. The position involves addressing issues related to land use and environmental regulations, aligning with Key's legal expertise.
Legal Clerkships and Early Career
Darien Key began gaining legal experience through various clerkships. Key worked as a Law Clerk at the Energy Policy Initiative Center in 2018 and previously at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2017. Key also served as a Law Clerk at the University of San Diego School of Law Civil Clinic in 2016. These positions provided foundational experience in environmental law and policy.