Michael Polentz

Practice Areas

Leader of Manatt Real Estate, Michael Polentz represents companies ranging from social media giants to major cultural institutions. He focuses his practice on acquisition, leasing, land use, development, construction, alternative energy, and business and commercial law. Mike represents buyers, sellers, investors, lenders, developers and contractors in commercial, office, industrial, single-family and multifamily residential, vineyard/winery, hotel, fractional interest, infrastructure, and alternative energy transactions. He regularly negotiates and documents transactional, development, construction, acquisition, disposition, public-private partnership, power purchase and financing matters, and performs and manages complex due diligence investigations.

In addition, he advises clients on CEQA compliance and growth control measures, development conditions and exactions, redevelopment, zoning, rezoning, subdivisions, planning, variances, annexations, and construction. Mike has extensive experience in negotiating and documenting commercial, retail, industrial and residential space; ground, out-parcel, in-line, single-tenant and multitenant leases; and build-to-suit transactions for landlords, tenants and brokers. He is well versed in the formation of partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies; general corporate governance negotiating; and preparation of joint venture, merger, acquisition, buy-sell and employment agreements. He assists in securing licenses and regulatory approvals from federal and state agencies, and in negotiating and preparing distribution, supply, marketing, intellectual property, joint venture and vendor agreements.

Professional Memberships

Admitted to practice in the state of California

Admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

Member, SPIRE (Stanford Professionals in Real Estate)

Co-Chair, ULI Silicon Valley, Urban Land Institute, for Bay Area Chapter, and member, Local Commercial Product Council and Public Development and Infrastructure Council

Member, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties

Member, Law360 Real Estate Editorial Advisory Board, 2015

Member, State Bar of California—Real Estate Section

Publications

Co-authored, “5 Policy Changes To Prevent Another Surfside Tragedy,” Law360, October 25, 2021.

Co-author, “The Post-Pandemic World of Office,” New York Law Journal, June 18, 2021.

Quoted, “5 Ways Coronavirus Is Roiling The Real Estate Market,” Law360, March 6, 2020.

Quoted, “Transfer Tax On Ground Lease Assignments,” GlobeSt.com, March 16, 2017.

Quoted, “CA Supreme Court at Transfer Tax Crossroads,” GlobeSt.com, January 20, 2017.

Co-author, “CA Modifies Commercial Lease Disclosures Concerning Disability Access Laws,” GlobeSt.com, November 23, 2016.

Quoted, “Calif. Firms Struggle To Find Exchange Properties Amid Boom,” Law360, August 10, 2016.

Co-author, “Cohousing the Next Boom for Boomers,” GlobeSt.com, July 21, 2016.

Co-author, “Why You Should Continue to Pay Attention to PACE,” GlobeSt.com, May 19, 2016.

Quoted, “Guess Who’s Coming to Contract (Without an Invitation)?” Corporate Counsel, April 14, 2016.

Co-author, “How to Protect Yourself Against Surprise Parties to Contracts,” GlobeSt.com, April 6, 2016.

Co-author, “Big Picture—What Could We See in 2016?” GlobeSt.com, January 20, 2016.

Quoted, “4 Common Errors In Year-End Race To Seal Real Estate Deals,” Law360, December 17, 2015.

Co-author, “The Home Sharing Economy,” GlobeSt.com, November 18, 2015.

Co-author, “Restrictions on Condominium Conversions,” GlobeSt.com, October 7, 2015.

Quoted, “Calif. Condo Market Comes Back With A Vengeance,” Law360, September 29, 2015.

Quoted, “Is Your Lease Financeable?” GlobeSt.com, July 21, 2015.

Quoted, “5 Real Estate Regs Calif. Developers Are Watching,” Law360, July 6, 2015.

Author, “5 Things to Know About Tenant Star,” Globest.com, May 20, 2015.

Co-author, “5 Things Lawyers Want Developers to Know”, The Registry, April 30, 2015.

Co-author, “PACE Financing to JumpStart Rooftop Solar?” GlobeSt.com, March 23, 2015.

Quoted, “Gush Of Real Estate Capital Fueling Struggles For JV Control,” Law360, February 9, 2015.

Quoted, “5 Ways Developers Are Responding To Millennials,” Law 360, January 26, 2015.

Co-author, “California’s New Energy Efficiency Challenge,” GlobeSt.com, January 22, 2015.

Quoted, “Best Bets for 2015,” Real Estate Forum, January 2015.