Adam represents both public and private clients in litigation, administrative proceedings, arbitration, and mediation. He also works with clients to help them avoid or resolve conflicts before they become formal, legal disputes. Adam’s experience includes representing cities, counties, special districts, and transit districts in land use, eminent domain, finance (Prop 13/218/26), election law, code enforcement, and civil rights cases. He also represents corporate and individual clients in land use, real estate, eminent domain, and commercial matters.
In addition, Adam is an adjunct professor teaching land use law at the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Prior to joining Hanson Bridgett, Adam was also an extern in the chambers of the Hon. Martin J. Jenkins in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Representative Work
Successfully defended elected officials from recall proponent’s writ of mandate attempting to restrict the officials’ ability to discuss their views on relevant political issues in their ballot-pamphlet statements.
Successfully challenged by appellate writ trial-court order allowing broad, exploratory discovery in traditional mandamus proceeding against state agency.
Helped pro bono client resist appeal from complex, international custody award, obtaining unanimous affirmance despite several procedural and jurisdictional challenges to the judgment.
Successfully intervened on behalf of political action committee in writ of mandate proceeding and helped defeat challenge to ballot materials regarding San Francisco's Proposition F.
Defended medical foundation from competing health-care district's attempt to condemn foundation's medical offices through eminent domain, prevailing in three-day "right-to-take" trial.
Presented amicus brief on behalf of candidate for elected office, supporting agency's interpretation of its term-limits ordinance.
Defended a commuter rail agency in a taxpayer waste suit seeking to sever the agency’s planning relationship with the California High Speed Rail Authority, obtaining early dismissal of all claims.
Prosecuted city’s suit to close a downtown business that continued to operate despite revocation of its fraudulently-obtained business license. The case included contempt proceedings following violations of a preliminary injunction.
Represented a landowner in an eminent domain action involving the extension of a public street onto a retail shopping plaza. Worked to resolve logistical problems confronting the ongoing business operations while preserving the owner's rights, interests, and tenant relationships.
Defended a hotel from a restaurant tenant’s lease demands for massive remodeling of public facilities through successful arbitration, obtained an award of attorneys’ fees for the hotel.
Prosecuted non-profit organization’s claim for payments from national bank owed under complex interest rate swap agreement through successful bench trial and award of organization’s attorneys’ fees.
Publications
"Courts Provide some Relief for Eliminating Vexatious Appeals," Daily Journal (June 2012)
"Chapter 5: Finance and Economic Development," Chapter Editor, Municipal Law Handbook (2012)
"Chapter 12: Code Enforcement," Reviewer, Municipal Law Handbook (2011)
"Negotiating Attorneys Fees," California Lawyer (January 2011)
"Which Comes First, the Compensation or the Fees?," The Recorder (September 2010)
"Blurring Lines: How Supplemental Jurisdiction Unknowingly Gave the World Ancillary Personal Jurisdiction," University of San Francisco Law Review (Fall 2004)
See All Publications