WHO’s WHO IN L.A. LAW: SHARON RUBALCAVA

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SHARON RUBALCAVA

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Firm: Alston + Bird LLP

LAW SCHOOL: UCLA

CLIENTS: Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, Plains All American Pipeline LLC, Motion Picture Association of America


Sharon Rubalcava graduated from college with a degree in art. When she started teaching art and photography, she enjoyed it much more than she thought she would. However, teaching didn’t seem like a job that could hold her interest for her lifetime.

Through conversations with her husband, who was attending law school back then, Rubalcava decided that it would be an interesting and challenging career. So she went to law school.

When she joined her first firm, McCutchen Black Verleger & Shea, she was assigned to cover environmental law. Within a year, most of her work was focused on environmental cases.

“I found it fascinating and just stayed with it,” Rubalcava said. “I love the science and learning something new all the time.”

Today at Alston + Bird LLP, Rubalcava represents businesses and trade associations in the aerospace and petroleum industries on a variety of environmental compliance issues. She also represents clients on water quality issues before the State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality boards.

“It’s very satisfying when a complicated land-use or environmental permitting matter receives final approval, and you know you played a substantial part in making that happen,” Rubalcava said.

A high point was attending the opening ceremonies for the Alameda Corridor, which was constructed on time and under budget despite significant environmental issues. Resolving those matters was challenging, and she’s proud of her role in the project.

Rubalcava is passionate about maintaining her green lifestyle even outside her office.

“I try to minimize my carbon footprint by limiting excessive water use, recycling everything possible and using energy-efficient light bulbs,” she said. “I’m eagerly waiting for the first plug-in hybrids to arrive on the market.”