Mitchell B. Menzer

Mitch Menzer is a nationally recognized real estate attorney who focuses on real estate development and land use law.

A prominent attorney with a Chambers and Legal 500 land use/zoning recognition, his practice emphasizes land use matters and obtaining entitlements for complex real estate development projects, including residential developments, mixed-use projects, shopping centers, hotels and office developments. He also represents investors and developers in other aspects of real estate development, including land use due diligence, site acquisition, and financings.

Mitch helps clients navigate complex land use procedures and comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, with particular experience in discretionary approvals, development agreements, design review and infrastructure agreements.  

Mitch also counsels residential development clients in taking advantage of recent California legislative initiatives to produce more housing, including the state Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act, AB 2011, SB 6, SB 35, SB 8 and accessory dwelling units.

Additionally, Mitch served on the Los Angeles City Planning Commission from 2000 to 2004 and was the President of the Commission in 2002 and 2003. During that time, he served on the Mayor’s Development Advisory Group and the Mayor’s Industrial Land Task Force.

Representing the owner of a regional shopping center in southern California in obtaining land use entitlements for the redevelopment of the shopping center.  The project will add approximately 1,600 residential units, 2 hotels, 60,000 square feet of office and additional retail along with public amenities to an existing 1 million square foot mall.

Representing the developer in obtaining entitlements for two high-rise residential communities in the South Park neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles. The projects involve two separate sites that the developer will entitle for over 1,100 residential units and ground floor retail, restaurants and amenities.

Representing the developer in obtaining entitlements and handling transactional aspects for the development of multiple multifamily developments in Los Angeles.  The projects include substantial numbers of affordable units and use density bonuses.    

Represented the developer in the entitlement, construction and financing of a large mixed-use project in the heart of the financial district in downtown Los Angeles.  The project is 75-story tower that includes an 899-room convention center hotel, approximately 400,000 square feet of office space and approximately 100,000 square feet of ballrooms, conference facilities, a spa, restaurants and retail space. The project involved a statutory Development Agreement, electronic sign permits, and a financial incentive for the hotel. 

Represented a leading technology company is obtaining entitlements for a 1 million square foot headquarters campus in Mountain View, California. The entitlements include a planned development permit, statutory Development Agreement and the negotiation of a community benefits payment for increased floor area.

Represented the developer in obtaining entitlements for a significant single-family residential community in Malibu, California. The project required the approval of entitlements from the City of Malibu and other approvals from the California Coastal Commission.

Represented the developer in obtaining entitlements for Columbia Square, a one million square foot mixed-use project on a full city block in Hollywood, California, which included 400,000 square feet of office space, a 125-room hotel, 400 multifamily units, and approximately 40,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space.

Honors & Recognitions

Best Lawyers, Land Use & Zoning Law, 2024

Chambers USA recognition for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2021-2023

The Legal 500 recognition for Land Use/Zoning, 2020

One of California’s Top 50 Development Lawyers, Daily Journal, 2014

Inaugural list of Top 25 Land Use Leaders, Daily Journal, 2012

Professional Affiliations

Member of the ULI Los Angeles District Council Executive Committee

Member of the Central City Association Executive Committee

Board member with A Community of Friends