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Marnie Christine Cody

Partner

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Marnie Cody is a successful, well-respected lawyer in outdoor advertising law, with over thirty five years of experience in the field. For her undergrad education, Marnie attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in Psychology. She went on to receive her JD from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Her first foray into law was in 1988 as a student law clerk to the boutique law firm then known as Stall & Hamlin. Marnie has since practiced alongside longtime collaborator and fellow Hamlin | Cody partner, Richard Hamlin.

Marnie has long been an active volunteer. In keeping with her legal background, Marnie has served as a Judge pro tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court. She has also served many non-profits dedicated to public school education and athletics. She is the past president and vice president of both Friends of Overland and the Pali Quarterback Club. In addition, Marnie was vice president of the Palisades High School Booster Club and Board Secretary of the Pacific Palisades Lacrosse Association. Marnie also served as President of the USC Alpha Gamma Delta Parent Club and as the 2019 Parliamentarian of the Intersorority Parent Council of the University of Southern California. For nearly ten years, Marnie was a volunteer reader in the Magic of Reading program at Overland Avenue Elementary School (on hiatus since COVID) and a volunteer children’s catechist with Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Community in West Los Angeles where in 2023/2024 she was also a member of the children’s RCIA Team.

Her practice centers on outdoor advertising, business, and real estate matters, as well as probate and estate administration for small and midsized estates. Super Lawyers® has selected Marnie as a Top-Rated Attorney in practice areas including real estate, estate planning, and probate and has named her in its list of selected attorneys featured in Super Lawyers Magazine (2016-Present).

Marnie’s experience in the outdoor advertising field dates to 1990. She has handled cases opposite the California Department of Transportation and regularly consults with clients on matters involving the California Outdoor Advertising Act and California Code of Regulations. Marnie has spoken as co-presenter at the International Right of Way Association, Valuation Seminar and participated on webinar panels for the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and Stafford CLE (Advanced Knowledge for Attorneys). She has represented outdoor advertising companies, real estate developers and landowners in a variety of cases, including municipal land use violations, eminent domain and inverse condemnation proceedings, local and state land use and construction entitlements, general real estate and personal property transactions, asset purchases, leases, grant of easement, partnership and LLC operating agreements, and a host of contractual disputes.

Marnie has handled all aspects of litigation, with experience trying cases in the California Superior Court and arguing before the California Second District Court of Appeal. She has likewise appeared in various local and state administrative appeals, mediations, and arbitrations. She is an effective negotiator and has hands-on experience with a variety of parties in the private sector as well as public agencies, such as AQMD, LAUSD, former CRAs and many California cities and counties.

  1. Negotiating and documenting lucrative Outdoor Advertising Leases and Management Agreements in prominent and high-profile markets including the Sunset Strip.
  2. Negotiating and documenting Development Agreements with California Cities.
  3. Securing a multi-million-dollar billboard relocation settlement for an outdoor advertising company in inverse condemnation proceeding.
  4. Guiding families, executors, and trustees through management of estates.
  5. A winning record of bench trials and attorney’s fee awards.
  6. Negotiating eminent domain settlements, full compensation, and mitigation measures by public agencies to eliminate detrimental impacts of a state construction projects on radio towers, billboards, and related real property.
  7. Co-formulating successful strategy with Richard Hamlin to avoid condemnation of a multi-million-dollar business and property.
  8. Favorable settlements in lawsuits involving quiet title to real property, breach of lease, and commercial contracts.
  9. Securing full demand in Level II Appeal of compensation awarded by Los Angeles World Airports in acquiring multi-family residential property.
  10. Drafting City of Lynwood Sign Ordinance (2006).
  11. Drafting amendments to the California Outdoor Advertising Act, Business and Professions Code, §5443 (2003).

Testimonials

What Our Clients Are Saying

Ric Flores:

"You’ve provided me with a very high level of comfort and assurance. Further, you’ve done it with tremendous patience. Those are pretty much the 2 things I was hoping for when I hired you. So thank you very much."
Paul K., San Bruno Partners:

"Marnie Cody’s expertise and thorough knowledge was extremely valuable for the negotiation and completion of the billboard lease agreement. She was thorough, provided various options and solutions, and delivered prompt responses to document changes, proposals and reviews. The results delivered were better than I expected! Marnie is professional, provides excellent guidance, is extremely knowledgeable and I highly recommend her."
David Young, Property Owner:

"Thanks for all of your help - you gave me the tools I needed to make a settlement and keep [my tenant] in the house. Your advice was key in my negotiation. Thanks! We offer more than technical legal advice. We listen to your concerns, legal and emotional. We offer advice based on our judgment and extensive life experiences."
A. Patrick Muñoz, Rutan & Tucker, LLP:

“I have practiced government and regulatory law since 1989 and I have known Marnie since we were law students at Loyola. From time to time over the years, I have addressed a number of sign issues and Marnie’s insights on billboard law have been a valuable asset.”
Ben F. Tunnell III, Chairman | BTI Appraisal:

“We have used the Hamlin Cody firm on many occasions for a variety of assignments and have been rewarded with excellent results and reasonable costs. They have always acted honorably and professionally and were always available to discuss any issues that arose. I have also referred them to friends on two occasions and have been thanked profusely for having done so. Again, those referrals were extremely pleased with both the people and the results. I can recommend them without hesitation.”
From a union general counsel with a real estate issue:

“The work that you did was all very diligently done and high-quality work. Communications were always timely and reliable, and you demonstrated consistent knowledge of the relevant law and procedure.”
From a commercial-space tenant

“You did exactly what I wished and with alacrity which I also desired. Always handle our requests in the same manner and we will be delighted.”
From a business owner whose former attorney sued for fees:

“I was very happy with the service your team provided and would not have changed anything. I would definitely call you again if needed and would not hesitate to recommend you to friends and family.”
From an individual for whom we drafted a trust:

“Your information was exceptionally timely and clear. Your colleagues were friendly and professional. I had opportunity to think and went into my surgery with a clear mind. Thank you for all that you did and I will recommend your to friends and family without hesitation.”
From an estate administrator:

“What I appreciate most is your thoroughness in the work you provide. You opinion letters were very clear, helpful and provided me with needed information and the ability to chose from several options. Your immediate responses to my questions and calls was also very appreciated.”
After an opinion letter concerning the feasibility of placing billboards on a property:

“I did receive it and it was very helpful, thanks very much for the swift response and work.”
We improved our clients' outcome after a bank breached a construction loan agreement:

"I'm glad you understand how much we have riding on this. Thank you for all of your help in this matter. I think it's the best possible outcome with the bank we could have hoped for!"
From a real estate advisor on the subject of outdoor advertising regulations:

"I appreciate your timely and concise responses. I will be referring you to anyone who needs assistance in this topic."
From a property owner:

"Was great meeting you in person last week. Thank you for coming our way. Also, thank you again for providing us with the very detailed documents. We discussed in length every detail within the documents you've provided, and we feel comfortable [moving forward]."
From a property owner:

"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me … It was greatly appreciated, and the guidance you provided me, [produced the intended result]."
James Johnsen, Managing Director of Johnsen, Fretty & Co.:

"Marnie, personally I have loved working with you. You are smart, a wealth of knowledge on billboard land use and permitting in the State of California and your approach to helping clients is very practical, time efficient and cost effective. Please feel free to use me as a reference anytime!"
Steven Fretty, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Johnsen Fretty & Co.:

"Marnie - I’ll echo Jim’s comments and certainly feel free to use me as a reference as well:

"Personally I have loved working with you. You are smart, a wealth of knowledge on billboard land use and permitting in the State of California and your approach to helping clients is very practical, time efficient and cost effective. Please feel free to use me as a reference anytime!""
Chris Bostock:

“Thank you so much for all of your help with this. As much as we don’t like being in this position, we’re glad we had you to help us come up with a reasonable solution.”


“Glad it worked out. There’s no one else in CA I’d trust my clients with! There are very few attorneys around the country with OOH experience, as I’m sure you know.”


“Hi Marnie, I have taken the time and have read through your additions and subtractions and am totally comfortable with your careful, detailed work to protect me - Thank you! I’m very comfortable with what you have done. I hired you because of your detailed approach to things and I trust you know way more than I do when it comes to these things"

Hamlin | Cody

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100 Wilshire Boulevard
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Santa Monica, CA 90401

310-216-2165 (Voice)
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RHamlin@HamlinLaw.com
MCody@HamlinLaw.com

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