AMentzer@chwlaw.us
(213) 542-5738
Adam N. Mentzer is Senior Counsel in Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley’s litigation and advisory practice groups and is based in the firm’s Sacramento office. Adam represents cities, counties, special districts, and other public agencies throughout California in trial and appellate litigation and advises them on a broad range of municipal law matters.
Adam’s litigation practice focuses on housing, land use, and civil rights. He defends local housing and land use regulations against constitutional challenges and litigates matters involving housing and homelessness, rent stabilization, mobilehome parks, the Housing Accountability Act, short-term rentals, elections, telecommunications, public finance, and writs of mandate. He also defends public agencies, police departments, officers, and public officials in state and federal court against claims of excessive force, First Amendment violations, false arrest, and municipal liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, as well as claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Bane Act, and California tort law.
In his advisory practice, Adam serves as deputy city attorney and special counsel for client agencies and advises city councils, planning commissions, boards, and commissions. He counsels clients on land use and zoning, CEQA, housing and tenant protections, the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, conflicts of interest, cannabis regulation, and municipal governance, and he drafts ordinances, resolutions, development agreements, and other municipal legal instruments.
Since 2021, Adam has served as the Hearing Officer for the Housing Authority of Clackamas County, Oregon, conducting and deciding administrative hearings on housing assistance, tenancy, and reasonable accommodation matters. He previously served as Hearing Officer for the Salem Housing Authority.
Before joining CHW, Adam was a Deputy City Attorney with the Portland Office of the City Attorney and Compliance Manager for the Salem Housing Authority. He also practiced landlord-tenant, affordable housing, and fair housing law in private practice and represented tenants as a legal aid attorney in Oregon and Los Angeles County. From 2021 through 2023, he regularly lectured on landlord-tenant, affordable housing, and fair housing law for industry and professional organizations.
Adam earned his B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and his J.D., cum laude, from Willamette University College of Law, where he received a Certificate in Law and Government.
Adam is admitted to practice in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington and before the Fifth and Ninth Circuits and numerous federal district courts.
Outside of the office, Adam enjoys traveling with his fiancée, running, cycling, reading science fiction novels, juggling, and hiking with his dog.
PRACTICE AREAS
- Land Use / CEQA
- Housing / Homelessness Response
- Affordable / Subsidized Housing
- Constitutional Law
- Public Safety Defense Litigation
- Elections
- Telecommunications
- Administrative Law
- Cannabis Regulation
- Public Records