Michael Patrick Durkee

Mike Durkee practices land use, elections, and local government law in both administrative and judicial proceedings. He represents developers, builders, property owners, cities, counties, special districts, and interest groups in all aspects of California local government, elections, and land use entitlement, review, approval processes and litigation. Mr. Durkee has transactional and litigation expertise in the laws and processes regarding the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), local governance, general plans, specific plans, planning, zoning and development, vested rights (common law, development agreements, vesting maps), exactions (fees/dedications), the Subdivision Map Act, Williamson Act, and local elections (initiative, referendum, recall). He also serves as an expert witness on these topics in litigation. Mr. Durkee has been instrumental in the creation, coordination, and implementation of overall entitlement strategy (including defense tactics) for some of California’s most controversial development projects, including the San Jose Giants Ballpark Proposal, the Buck Center for Aging and Research, Black Point, Buck Mountain Ranch, and the North Livermore Initiative. He is widely recognized for his expertise in effective negotiation and resolution. He has extensive expertise regarding “value-enhancing” entitlements and is considered one of the state’s top creative land-use minds. Mr. Durkee regularly handles the coordination with city/county staff regarding the planning of the project, the negotiation and drafting of all agency documents for legal compliance and tactical advantage, the coordination of all environmental, planning, and engineering consultants and their reports, and the transition into litigation when necessary. Mike's Land Use litigation practice includes representing landowners, developers, builders, businesses and governmental agencies in state and federal courts. Mike is a frequent participant in land use seminars conducted for builders’ groups, cities and counties, the University of California Extension, the State Bar of California and Land Use Navigators. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Michael Patrick Durkee included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors 1992 "Outstanding Instructor" award from the U.C. Davis Extension Land Use Program The Best Lawyers in America - 2013 and 2014 (Land Use and Zoning Law) Other Sources of Feedback About Michael Patrick Durkee Included on the 2026Northern California Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2022 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2019 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2018 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2017 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2016 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2015 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2014 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2013 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2012 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2011 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2006 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2005 Northern California Super Lawyers list 2004 Northern California Super Lawyers list

• Attorney

• Best & Krieger LLP, Associate, 1984 - 1986
• McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen, Partner, 1986 - 1997
• Allen Matkins Law Firm, Partner, 1997 - 2012
• Wactor & Wick LLP, Associate, 2012 - 2013

• California, 1985

• Contra Costa County Bar Association, Real Property Law Section (President)