HongDao Nguyen

Associate

HongDao Nguyen assists public clients in transactional and litigation matters concerning municipal government, with a focus on land use law. An attorney in the Municipal Law practice group of Best Best & Krieger LLP, she serves as assistant city attorney for the cities of Stanton and Lake Forest, and as deputy city attorney for the City of San Juan Capistrano.

Recognizing that every city has its own political and cultural landscape — whether it be an affluent city looking to develop hundreds of residences or one that must work around a number of properties with historical designations — HongDao works with her clients from the first stages of the permitting process to completion. In addition, she has extensive experience in the Planning and Zoning Law, the Subdivision Map Act and many other applicable laws.

With a reputation for being responsive and available to the city staff she works closely with, HongDao adeptly helps municipalities navigate through a variety of legal issues that typically arise in the course of running a public agency, such as the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act. With laws constantly changing to keep up with the issues like medical marijuana dispensaries, the sharing economy, development and blight, HongDao remains up-to-date of the latest local and state requirements to ensure her clients are in compliance.

As a San Jose Mercury News reporter before attending law school, HongDao earned valuable experience covering Bay Area city councils, elections and police issues. This role gave her a unique opportunity to observe how cities work and interact with the communities they serve. The research and writing skills she honed as a reporter are put to good use as an attorney, as fact-finding and communicating are key aspects of successfully advising her clients.

HongDao received her law degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, where she was a note and comment editor for the International & Comparative Law Review and a member of the Byrne Trial Advocacy Team. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Biola University. She provides pro bono legal services to such organizations as the League of California Cities and the Public Law Center. HongDao is married with two sons. She is admitted to practice in California.

Education

• Loyola Law School, J.D.
• Biola University, B.A., communications

Awards

• Lawyers of Color Western Region Hot List 2014