Christopher J. Diaz

Of Counsel

Christopher J. Diaz represents public agencies in a wide range of government law issues, with an emphasis on the California Environmental Quality Act, land use issues, conflicts of interest and ethics laws and the Brown Act. He is an of counsel attorney in the Municipal Law practice group of Best Best & Krieger LLP's Walnut Creek office, and a member of the firm’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources and Special Districts practice groups. Christopher serves as city attorney to the City of Milpitas and the Town of Colma and district counsel for the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District, and works with various other cities and special district clients throughout California.

Christopher has considerable experience advising public agency clients on transactional compliance with CEQA, and regularly reviews environmental impact reports, mitigated negative declarations, negative declarations and initial studies. In this regard, he has provided strategic advice to public agency clients to avoid potential CEQA litigation. Christopher also regularly advises public agency clients on the myriad of land use laws, including state planning and zoning laws, the Subdivision Map Act and the Williamson Act.

In addition to his CEQA and land use background, Christopher has a strong passion for ensuring open and honest government and regularly advises public agency clients on state conflict of interest and ethics laws and the Brown Act. He has considerable experience in interpreting regulations adopted by the state Fair Political Practices Commission and has drafted various opinion letters to elected and appointed officials on compliance with the Political Reform Act and Government Code section 1090. Christopher has also provided training to elected and appointed officials and public agency staff regarding AB 1234 and Brown Act compliance.

Christopher is actively involved with the League of California Cities and currently serves on its Community Services Policy Committee as the City Attorney’s Department appointee. Christopher was also recently appointed to a three-year term on the Executive Committee of the Public Law Section of the State Bar of California.

Although Christopher has lived in almost every major city in California, he now calls the Bay Area home. When he isn’t in the office or in a public meeting, Christopher enjoys hiking with his dog Charlie, wine tasting and spending time with friends and family.

Education

• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), J.D.
• University of California, San Diego, B.A.

Bar Admissions

• California

Awards

• ?Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars List - Land Use/Zoning (2016)

Christopher J. Diaz

Of Counsel

• California State Bar Public Law Section Executive Committee (2014-2017)
• League of California Cities’ Resolutions Committee (2014)
• League of California Cities’ Community Services Policy Committee (2013-2014)