Jacob Sanchez

Background

About Jacob Sanchez

I have a strong passion for public service, civic engagement, and land use policy, which has motivated my academic and professional journey. I am currently pursuing my Juris Doctor at California Western School of Law with a focus on environmental and land use law. Additionally, I am pursuing my CEQA Practice Certificate at UC San Diego. Prior to law school, I served over six years as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Hanford (Chairperson 2021/2022), where I gained firsthand experience navigating complex land use decisions. I have also served as a Committee Member for the Kings County Homelessness Collaborative, a Board Member for the Kings Community Action Organization, and as a Stakeholder on the Hanford Fire Department Strategic Planning Committee. Through these roles, I strengthened my ability to bring people together to address community challenges. In addition, I ran for Hanford City Council (2020) and was honored as Hanford Volunteer of the Year in 2023. My commitment to land use and environmental policy extends to my legal experiences. I have interned with both state and local agencies, researching and helping address land use and environmental issues. I currently contribute to policy discussions through active involvement with the American Bar Association’s Land Use Committee and the California Lawyers Association’s Environmental Legislation Subcommittee. As a legal clerk at the County of Kings District Attorney's Office, I gained valuable experience in researching, drafting, and filing legal documents, while assisting prosecutors in court proceedings. These experiences have allowed me to grow as a legal professional while reinforcing my commitment to public service, equitable land use policy, and community-centered solutions.