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Overview
Alan Fenstermacher is the Section Head of the firm’s Land Use and Entitlement section, where he specializes in land use and regulatory issues, handling both litigation and transactional matters for public and private clients.
Alan regularly assists private parties secure entitlements and other project approvals for residential, commercial, mixed use and industrial projects in jurisdictions all over California, where he analyzes land use, zoning and other regulatory issues before his clients acquire property, and then guides his clients through the entire entitlement process until ultimate project approval. Alan particularly specializes in ensuring compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including oversight of CEQA document preparation.
Alan also has a significant amount of experience advising public agencies on the wide variety of issues they face, both as general counsel and special counsel, and currently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Poway.
Alan has extensive litigation experience, handling cases involving CEQA, eminent domain, inverse condemnation/takings, fair housing, public contracting/procurement, easement and other real property disputes, and a wide variety of other real estate, land use and environmental issues, including federal Clean Water Act and CERCLA cases. His litigation experience is critical to informing his transactional advice, as he is well aware of the potential pitfalls his clients may face.
Alan also specializes in election law, including ballot challenges, initiatives and referenda, the California Voting Rights Act, and the Political Reform Act.
Experience
Representative Matters/Cases
- Windeler, et al. v. Cambria Community Services District, et al., 2022 WL 4079259 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 6, 2022). Secured complete defense verdict for client in federal inverse condemnation trial, ending decades of related litigation with a total victory.
- Successful defense of development projects from CEQA and other land use challenges (e.g., Responsible Development for Water Tank Hill v. County of San Mateo, et al. , First District California Court of Appeal, 2018 WL 2276345 (unpublished); Nagy Trust v. City of Torrance, et. al., Los Angeles Superior Court, 21STCP03833, Coalition for Responsible Solar, et al v. City of Adelanto, et. al., San Bernardino Superior Court, CIVDS S1409364; Citizens About Responsible Planning v. City of Long Beach, et. al., Los Angeles Superior Court, BS15964; Whittier Conservancy v. City of Whittier, et. al., Los Angeles Superior Court, BS157078)
- Assisted developers secure desired entitlements and project approvals for large projects located throughout California, from pre-acquisition due diligence through final approval and successful resolution of all litigation, including oversight of CEQA document preparation
- San Diego Gas & Electric Co. v. Schmidt (2014) 228 Cal. App. 4th 1280. Eminent domain jury trial resulting in a $8 million verdict for property owner client; successful defense of the verdict on appeal and secured approximately $1 million attorney fee award
- Successful pre-trial resolution of numerous eminent domain actions such that compensation to client that was, in many cases, millions of dollars more than the public agency’s original offer
- Defended water district from a lawsuit arising out of an easement dispute, where plaintiff claimed over $1 million in damages; case dismissed via successful motion for summary judgment
- Defeated challenges to ballot measures and ballot pamphlets brought against the City of Newport Beach, County of Marin and City of Buena Park
- Defended City against federal Fair Housing Act and Equal Protection claims in high profile litigation brought by the ACLU, resulting in favorable settlement
- Advised many cities facing potential and actual California Voting Rights Act litigation, and assisted with the successful resolution of those claims, including conversion to district elections
- Assisted multiple private entities successfully secure licenses, certifications or other desired designations (e.g., DBE certifications) from public entities
News & Insights
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
- California Housing Legislation Update (Senate Bill 330), January 2020
- Regulatory Takings in California, October 2019, City Attorneys Association of San Diego
- “Fall 2017 Affordable Housing Review: Statutes and Cases,” Affordable Housing/Economic Development Practice Group, November 2017
- “CEQA and Land Use Case Law Update”, Land Use and Natural Resources Practice Group, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012
- “Paying the Piper – Attorneys’ Fees in Eminent Domain,” International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Chapter 67, November 2014
Awards & Affiliations
Awards & Honors
- Southern California Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition (2018, 2020-2024)
- Best Lawyers in America (2025)
Memberships & Associations
- City Attorney Association of San Diego County
- Orange County Bar Association
- State Bar of California
- IRWA Chapter 67
