Contact Information

1901 Harrison St. 9th Floor

Oakland CA 94612

510.273.8732

jatencio@mhalaw.com

Practice Focus

Public Law

Affordable Housing

Redevelopment

Land Use

Military Base Reuse

James J. Atencio | Attorney

Professional Experience

James is a member of the firm’s Public Law practice group where he provides advisory and transactional services to public agencies and private entities. His practice focuses on all aspects of municipal law, with an emphasis on public contracting, redevelopment, land use and affordable housing law. Currently, James serves as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Rohnert Park.

James’ public agency advisory work includes development of program guidelines and documentation for first time homebuyer programs, negotiation and drafting of agreements for redevelopment projects and development of a former military base, as well as representation of city councils and other public agency boards.

Prior to joining McDonough in 2007, James most recently served as an in-house Deputy City Attorney for the City of Oakland. In addition to counseling the City of Oakland on general municipal law issues, James negotiated, drafted and provided analysis on design development agreements, joint powers authority agreements, leases, MOUs, licenses and legislation for Oakland’s Community and Economic Development Agency, City Council, Parks and Recreation Department, Oakland Zoo and the Oakland Museum.

Leadership Positions/Affiliations

Member, State Bar of California

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Alameda County Bar Association

Honors/Awards

Recipient, Berkeley Law Foundation Grant

MHALaw Search

Admitted to Practice

State Bar of California, 2000

Education

University of California,

Boalt Hall School of Law

J.D., 2000

Associate Editor, Ecology Law Quarterly

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

B.B.A., magna cum laude, 1997

Languages

English

Spanish