Jeffrey A. Mitchell, Shareholder

Jeff predominantly counsels public sector clients including cities and special districts in matters relating to land use, planning and zoning, housing, real estate, and general municipal law. He has broad experience in state and federal laws related to use and reuse of land, tax credits, development issues, and funding programs for housing and economic development projects.

Legal Experience

With more than 30 years of experience, Jeff advises his clients on a wide range of day-to-day legal and contractual matters facing public entities, as well as elections law disputes, including CVRA and FAIR MAPS issues. He is an experienced negotiator and assists his clients in negotiating and drafting real estate and land use related agreements, as well as other agreements essential to the operation of public agencies. He currently serves a number of public sector clients as legal counsel, including:

  • City Attorney for the City of West Sacramento
  • Town Attorney for the Town of Loomis
  • City Attorney for the City of Isleton
  • General Counsel for the Port of West Sacramento
  • General Counsel for the Capitol Area Development Authority
  • General Counsel for the Sonoma County Public Library
  • General Counsel for the CalSAWS Consortium
  • General Counsel for the Fair Oaks Water District
  • General Counsel for Florin County Water District
  • General Counsel for Sierra Lakes County Water District
  • General Counsel for Cooperative Personnel Services
  • General Counsel for the Downtown Sacramento Revitalization Corporation
  • General Counsel for the River City Stadium Finance Authority

In his capacity as counsel to these agencies, he advises on a variety of legal matters, including:

  • Development and implementation of economic development plans and projects
  • Land use, zoning, subdivision map act, and environmental matters
  • State and federal regulations governing affordable housing projects
  • General compliance with laws applicable to public agencies, including election law, the Brown Act, conflicts of interest law, and laws related to public records

Practice Examples

  • Jeff was involved in negotiating and drafting land acquisition, financing, and development agreements related to constructing a Triple-A minor league baseball facility (Raley Field) in West Sacramento. Other recent projects include several large master-planned subdivisions, a large retail center, and several affordable housing projects in the greater Sacramento area.
  • Jeff regularly represents public clients in the negotiation and drafting of development and regulatory agreements related to housing and commercial developments, including many affordable housing and mixed-use projects. In this area, he advises clients on compliance with state and federal law, funding sources, contractual matters, and land use issues.
  • As City Attorney and general counsel, Mr. Mitchell routinely handles various matters ranging from contract negotiation to litigation matters to general advice to staff and elected officials.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Municipal Law & Land Use and Zoning Law (2021-2024)
  • Top Lawyer, Sacramento Magazine (2019, 2022, 2023)
  • Article Editor, California Real Property Journal
  • Member, Urban Land Institute
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, California State Bar Association
  • California State Bar#149003

Academic Background

J.D. University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1990

  • Graduated with Great Distinction
  • Member, Order of the Coif
  • Editor-in-Chief, Pacific Law Review

B.A. Claremont McKenna College, 1981