T. Brent Hawkins

Partner

T. Brent Hawkins is a partner in Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Sacramento office. Prior to joining the firm in 2010, he was a shareholder with McDonough Holland & Allen in Sacramento.

Mr. Hawkins practices government relations, redevelopment, land use, housing, and environmental law (both transactional and litigation). He represents clients throughout California and in other western states, including Nevada and Idaho. His practice emphasizes drafting and lobbying municipal economic development legislation, as well as the negotiation of development transactions, development agreements and asset management.

Mr. Hawkins currently represents various private development companies. In addition, he serves as general counsel to the California Redevelopment Association and is chairman of its legal committee. In this capacity, Mr. Hawkins has participated in negotiating and drafting legislation, drafting and interpreting ballot initiatives, and litigating cases of statewide significance concerning redevelopment, eminent domain, local government taxation and economic development.

Mr. Hawkins’ litigation experience includes practice before state and federal courts relative to the Community Redevelopment Law, California Environmental Quality Act and California Relocation Assistance Act, as well as eminent domain and planning and zoning law. He lectures frequently for organizations such as the California Redevelopment Association, League of California Cities and the University of California. Mr. Hawkins is an adjunct professor for the University of California, Davis Extension Program.

Education

• Brigham Young University, J.D. (1977)
• Brigham Young University, B.A. (1974)

Bar Admissions

• California (1978)

Awards

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Municipal Law (2013-2017)
• Top Rated Lawyer in Land Use and Zoning by American Lawyer and Martindale-Hubbell (2013)
• Los Angeles Daily Journal Top Municipal Lawyers (2013)
• Northern California "Super Lawyer" (2004)
• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rated

T. Brent Hawkins

Partner

• “The Rise and Fall of Redevelopment in California,” California Bar Real Estate Journal, Fall, 2012.
• Co-author, "Redevelopment in California", Solano Press Books 4th ed., 2009
• Contributing editor, "The California Municipal Law Handbook"

T. Brent Hawkins

Partner

Memberships

• California Redevelopment Association, member
• State Bar of California - Public Law Section, member
• Redevelopment Association of Nevada, member
• Urban Land Institute, member
• Northern California Public Real Estate Advisory Board, member
• University of California, Davis Extension, Adjunct Professor

Leadership

• Legal Committee of the California Redevelopment Association, Chairman