[email protected]Adam N. Mentzer
(213) 542-5738

Adam N. Mentzer is Senior Counsel in Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley’s litigation and advisory practice groups and resident in our Pasadena office. Adam represents public agencies throughout California in trial and appellate courts on a range of public law issues including housing and homelessness, real estate, land use, contract disputes, utility ratemaking, and employment law. Adam also advises our general and special counsel cities on land use, housing, surplus land act, and related real estate matters. Adam serves as a Hearing Officer for the Housing Authority of Clackamas County. 

Before joining CHW, Adam gained substantial municipal law experience as the Compliance Manager for the Salem Housing Authority and as a Deputy City Attorney – Housing with the Portland Office of the City Attorney. As Compliance Manager, Adam oversaw the housing authority’s compliance with local, state, and federal affordable housing programs, responded to state and federal audits, and served as the agency’s Hearing Officer, Designated Records Manager, and Fair Housing / Title VI / Section 504 Coordinator. As Deputy City Attorney, Adam represented the City of Portland as lender in affordable housing transactions and advised the City on a wide array of housing-related matters ranging from affordable housing covenant enforcement to zoning and redevelopment. Adam also worked in the private and nonprofit legal sectors, representing clients throughout the Western United States in state and federal litigation and administrative proceedings. 

Starting in 2021, Adam regularly lectured on affordable, subsidized, and fair housing issues, including: “Affordable Afternoons with Adam” monthly lecture series with Multifamily NW (2021–2023); “Don’t Let Section 8 Get You Irate: A Landlord’s Guide to Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Tenancies” and “Affordable & Subsidized Housing’s Most Frequently Asked Questions” at Spectrum Educational Conference & Trade Show (2021, 2022); and “Fair Housing 101: The Basics and Emerging Issues” at Prism Educational Conference & Trade Show (2022).

Adam earned his B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Nevada, Reno. He graduated with his J.D. from Willamette University College of Law, cum laude, with a Certificate in Law and Government. While in law school, Adam externed at the Oregon Legislature’s Office of the Legislative Counsel, clerked for a busy general civil litigation firm, and provided estate planning services to tribal members on the Warm Springs and Burns Paiute Reservations.

Adam is admitted to practice in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and in federal court before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Central District of California, District of Oregon, and Western District of Washington.

Outside of the office, Adam enjoys running, cycling, reading science fiction novels, juggling, sewing, and hiking with his wife and dogs.

PRACTICE AREAS 

  • Administrative Law
  • Affordable / Subsidized Housing
  • Cannabis Regulation
  • Complex Litigation
  • Constitutional Law
  • Contract Disputes
  • Employment Law
  • Housing / Homelessness Response
  • Land Use / CEQA
  • Public Law
  • Public Records
  • Public Utilities
  • Real Estate
  • Surplus Land Act
  • Water Law