Education
LL.M., with merit, The London School of Economics and Political Science
J.D., University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law
B.A., with honors, University of California, Santa Barbara
Bar Admissions
California
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
Memberships
Urban Land Institute (ULI) San Francisco District Council, Chair; Executive Board, Member; San Francisco Residential Product Council, former Vice-Chair; Programs Committee, former Co-Chair
Lambda Alpha International Golden Gate Chapter, Member
Bay Area Council, Housing and Government Relations Committees, Member
Building Industry Association of the Bay Area, Member
Housing Action Coalition (HAC), Regulatory Committee, Member
State Bar of California, Real Property Section, Member; Executive Committee, Former Vice-Chair
David is a land use partner in the San Francisco office with more than 25 years of experience helping developers, property owners, corporations, financial institutions, and other clients navigate California’s complex regulatory and political processes and secure development project approvals. He has obtained entitlements for a vast spectrum of projects across the state, including residential, office, industrial, retail, R&D, life sciences, agricultural, and renewable energy developments.
David first invoked the Density Bonus Law over a dozen years ago to secure approvals for affordable housing projects in the Bay Area. He is deeply experienced with the state’s housing statutes, and has worked with legislators and organizations to promote new legislation in this area, including the passage of SB 1227, SB 290, and AB 1287, which amended the Density Bonus Law.
David has worked on projects throughout California, and has particular depth in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to obtaining entitlements, David has litigated numerous land use cases and has secured published decisions for his clients on a broad variety of issues, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Subdivision Map Act, Elections Law, and the Mitigation Fee Act. He also serves on the firm's Management Committee.
David has published numerous articles, and is a co-author of Ballot Box Navigator: A Practical and Tactical Guide to Land Use Initiatives and Referenda in California, a comprehensive resource regarding local initiatives and referenda.
David currently serves as Chair of the ULI-San Francisco District Council, and has served on leadership positions with that organization for over a dozen years.
David first invoked the Density Bonus Law over a dozen years ago to secure approvals for affordable housing projects in the Bay Area. He is deeply experienced with the state’s housing statutes, and has worked with legislators and organizations to promote new legislation in this area, including the passage of SB 1227, SB 290, and AB 1287, which amended the Density Bonus Law.
David has worked on projects throughout California, and has particular depth in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to obtaining entitlements, David has litigated numerous land use cases and has secured published decisions for his clients on a broad variety of issues, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Subdivision Map Act, Elections Law, and the Mitigation Fee Act. He also serves on the firm's Management Committee.
David has published numerous articles, and is a co-author of Ballot Box Navigator: A Practical and Tactical Guide to Land Use Initiatives and Referenda in California, a comprehensive resource regarding local initiatives and referenda.
David currently serves as Chair of the ULI-San Francisco District Council, and has served on leadership positions with that organization for over a dozen years.
Maximizing California Housing Laws and Your Investments
San Francisco, CA
10.04.23
Silicon Valley as an Emerging Market
The Offices at San Antonio Station
Mountain View, CA
4.27.23
Tackling San Francisco's Construction & Development Headaches
JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square
San Francisco, CA
7.14.22
SF Housing Action Coalition Webinar
12.16.20
Briefing on 2019 Housing Legislation
Allen Matkins Los Angeles Office
11.20.19
Job Creation & Economic Growth
San Francisco, California
10.23.19
Bisnow's Future of the San Francisco Waterfront
San Francisco, California
9.23.15
Prop M: San Francisco’s Cap and Office Development
San Francisco, California
11.19.14
Bisnow's San Francisco Future of the Waterfront & the Rise of Pier 70
San Francisco, California
7.29.14
IMN Real Estate General Counsel's Forum West
Dana Point, California
5.13.13
The Grapes of Wrath: Contemporary Agricultural Issues & The Environment in California
Sacramento, California
5.08.12
Walnut Creek, California
3.16.12
Redevelopment Briefing - Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek, California
2.16.12
Redevelopment Briefing - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
2.09.12
Real Estate and Land Use Litigation Tips for Transactional Attorneys
Walnut Creek, California
4.15.11
Red Bluff - Subdivision Map Act: A One Day Seminar
Red Bluff, California
1.27.11
San Luis Obispo - Subdivision Map Act: A One Day Seminar
San Luis Obispo, California
5.27.10
Marina - Subdivision Map Act: A One Day Seminar
Marina, California
4.29.10
Lafayette - Subdivision Map Act - A One Day Seminar
Lafayette, California
3.25.10
Sacramento - Subdivision Map Act - A One Day Seminar
Sacramento, California
2.18.10
Multifamily Affordable Housing Briefing - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
2.03.10
California Land Use Law Workshops
Tulare, California
6.17.09
The California Environmental Quality Act, an Overview
Chico, California
6.11.08
The California Environmental Quality Act, an Overview
Stockton, California
10.12.07
Practical Guide to Zoning and Land Use Law (NBI)
San Francisco, California
8.07.07
64 Allen Matkins Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®
Press Release
8.15.24
California Appellate Court Determines Agreement Between City and Developer is Subject to Referendum
3.27.24
Three Big Menlo Park Towers Are Now Eyed At Ex-Sunset Magazine Campus
Press Mention
12.21.23
Press Release
8.17.23
Huge Housing Tower is Eyed For One-Time Sunset Campus in Menlo Park
Press Mention
7.28.23
Urban Land Institute Announced David Blackwell as New Chair of ULI San Francisco
David H. Blackwell in Urban Land Institute
Press Mention
7.17.23
28 Allen Matkins Lawyers Named 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
6.30.23
Press Release
8.19.22
33 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.08.22
Press Release
11.04.21
Governor Signs Density Bonus Law Clean Up Legislation
9.29.21
Thirty Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.14.21
Developers Prevail in Dispute Regarding Key Housing Legislation
5.03.21
Multi-Family Market Sentiment Continues to Be Mixed
2.23.21
What the California Environmental Quality Act Requires
David H. Blackwell in Super Lawyers Magazine
Press Mention
11.03.20
Thirty-Two Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2020 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.08.20
6.30.20
SB 330 Provides Relief to California Homebuilders
10.11.19
California Court Rejects Zoning Uniformity Claims
8.01.19
Thirty-Eight Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
6.26.19
IKEA Project City Council Meeting (beginning at 1:08.04)
11.08.18
8.27.18
Forty-One Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.16.18
4 Ways New Calif. Affordable Housing Law May Play Out
David H. Blackwell in Law360
Press Mention
11.08.17
44 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2017 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.07.17
AB 2501: Updates to Density Bonus Law
By David H. Blackwell and Timothy M. Hutter in the Daily Journal
Article
1.18.17
California Governor Signs Four Bills Affecting Density Bonus Projects
9.29.16
Fifty Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.08.16
Legal Matters: What to Expect on Environmental Reform
David H. Blackwell in Real Estate Bisnow San Francisco
Press Mention
1.29.16
What You Need to Know About Building on the Waterfront
David H. Blackwell in Real Estate Bisnow San Francisco
Press Mention
9.25.15
56 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Nine Allen Matkins attorneys received special honors in their respective regions.
Press Release
6.26.15
Walnut Creek Rejects Housing Moratorium
Press Mention
3.18.15
Palo Alto Office Cap Debate: Here's everything you need to know
David H. Blackwell in the Silicon Valley Business Journal
Press Mention
3.01.15
Density Bonus Law Changes Could Scare Off Developers
David H. Blackwell and Timothy M. Hutter in The Daily Transcript
Press Mention
12.02.14
AB 2222 Restricts Use of State Density Bonus Law
9.30.14
David H. Blackwell in Real Estate Bisnow San Francisco
Press Mention
7.31.14
55 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2014
Press Release
7.03.14
Developers Knock Out Local Zoning Hurdle
By David H. Blackwell in Daily Journal
7.24.13
New Decision Helps Multifamily Developers by Striking Down a Restrictive Local Ordinance
Court Finds Napa County's Ordinance Conflicts with California's Density Bonus Law
7.18.13
60 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2013 and Rising Stars 2013
Press Release
7.11.13
By David H. Blackwell in Daily Journal
10.03.12
9.21.12
61 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2012 and Rising Stars 2012
More Than 40 Percent of Firm's Partners Make the List
Press Release
7.19.12
5.03.12
The Density Bonus Law: Has its Time Finally Arrived?
By David H. Blackwell in the California Real Property Journal
Article
1.31.12
Rescuing the Rural Edge — It Takes a Village
9.22.11
Density Bonus Law: Why Affordable Housing is Badly Needed in California
By David H. Blackwell in Multi-Housing News
Article
9.06.11
Opening Doors for Energy Projects on Protected Agricultural Lands
8.02.11
60 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2011 and Rising Stars 2011
Press Release
7.27.11
New Subdivision Map Act Extension Bill Signed
Information in this alert directly affects all owners of property with a current tentative or vesting tentative map or other entitlements with applicable expiration dates.
7.18.11
The Federal Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities
7.06.11
Court of Appeal Issues New CEQA Greenhouse Gas Opinion
6.13.11
Are Solar Thermal Facilities Compatible with the Williamson Act?
By David H. Blackwell in Solar Thermal Magazine
Article
2.22.11
63 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2010 and Rising Stars 2010
Press Release
7.19.10
The Williamson Act: Siting Implications For California Projects
By David H. Blackwell in Solar Industry
Article
6.01.10
EIR for Prohibiting Plastic Bags?
By David H. Blackwell in Daily Journal
4.20.10
EIR for Prohibiting Plastic Bags?
By David H. Blackwell in the Daily Journal
Article
4.20.10
Prohibiting Plastic Shopping Bags May Require an EIR
This aggressive application of CEQA allows a plastic bag trade group to challenge a local plastic bag ban that was intended to protect the environment.
2.02.10
The Williamson Act, on Life Support
By David H. Blackwell in Los Angeles Daily Journal
10.27.09
The Williamson Act, on Life Support
By David H. Blackwell in the Los Angeles Daily Journal
Article
10.27.09
Legal Alert: Ninth Circuit Finds That Local Rent Control Constitutes a Regulatory Taking
A Rare Pro-Landowner Takings Case that Covers Several Key Issues Critical to Landowners, Local Governments and Attorneys
10.06.09
Legal Alert: State Law Does Not Preempt Local Regulation of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Information in this alert is useful to local governments, businesses and land use practitioners.
10.01.09
Subdivision Map Act Extension Bill Signed
Information in this alert directly affects all owners of property with a current tentative or vesting tentative map or other entitlements with applicable expiration dates.
7.23.09
Older Subdivision Maps Under Attack Again
Court of Appeal Again Determines that the Lawful Recording of an Older Subdivision Map (1909) Alone Did Not Create the Parcels Shown on the Map
5.04.09
Ballot Box Planning: Signature-Gathering Shenanigans
3.03.08
The Mitigation Fee Act – Controversy, Confusion, and Resulting Caution
By David H. Blackwell in the California Real Property Journal
Article
9.01.07
6.11.07
4.23.07
Court Clarifies Applicability of Land Use Law Statutes of Limitation
3.20.07
A Modern Perspective on the Williamson Act: Conservation, Confusion, and Controversy
By David H. Blackwell in the California Real Property Journal
Article
9.01.04
Wetland's 'Protection' Threatens Property Owners
By David H. Blackwell in East Bay Business Times
Article
3.28.03
Timing is Everything! When to Bring Challenges to Land Use Initiatives and Referenda
By David H. Blackwell in the California Real Property Journal
Article
1.01.02
News & Insights
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