Dave Van Atta is a highly accomplished real estate attorney with more than 50 years of experience guiding clients through complex property transactions and development projects. Since 1970, he has been actively involved in common interest developments and community associations, helping shape this area of law over decades.
He advises on all aspects of real estate law, including acquisitions and financing of residential and commercial properties, land use and zoning, community association formation and management, and large-scale office, resort, hotel, and mixed-use developments. Dave has prepared subdivision documentation for master-planned residential developments, condominium projects, and mixed-use communities, and regularly assists developers, equity investors, lenders, and associations in navigating regulatory requirements, optimizing operations, and protecting long-term value in their real estate investments. He also has extensive experience appearing before local agencies and state regulators on zoning, subdivision, and land use matters.
In addition to his legal practice, Dave has served as a law lecturer and adjunct professor, sharing his knowledge on real property and secured transactions with law students and practitioners. He is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) and frequently speaks on topics such as mixed-use development, community association law and recent developments in real estate law.
Professional & Civic Engagement
- The State Bar of California, Real Property Law Section
- Condominium Cooperative Housing and Subdivision Committee, Chair, 1981-1983
- Executive Committee, Vice Chair, 1982-1986
- Bar Association of San Francisco
- American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law
- Home Builders Association of Northern California
- Southern Division, Board of Directors
- Department of Real Estate Committee, Past Chair
- Community Associations Institute
- Urban Land Institute
- District Council Executive Committee
- Program Committee, Chair
- Lambda Alpha International Land Economics Society
- College of Community Association Lawyers
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers
- Anglo American Real Property Institute
Thought Leadership
● Co-Author, “Hanna & Van Atta on California Common Interest Developments,” Thomson Reuters, 1980–2026
● Speaker, “Current Income Taxation Issues Related to Real Property Development,” First Annual Institute on Advanced Tax Planning for Real Property Transactions, California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1982
● Author, “What Every Developer’s Successor Should Know,” The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, Vol. 6, Nos. 3–4, 1990
● Author, “Using Letters of Credit as Credit Enhancement for Real Estate Loans,” The ACREL Papers, 1992
● Author, “Reciprocal Easements, Restrictive Covenants, and Airspace Developments in Mixed Use Developments,” in Planned Communities: Ownership Options and Development Formats, The ACREL Papers, 1995
● Author, “Potential Problems with Shelf Condominiums,” CEB Real Property Law Reporter, April 1994
● Author, “Update to Guide to California Sales Law,” Continuing Education of the Bar, July 1992
● Author, David Van Atta, “Mixed Use, Mixed Ownership Developments; Air Space Subdivision Techniques and Issues,” The ACREL Papers, Spring 2003
● Co-Author, “Issues for Mixed-Use/Mixed Ownership Developments – Facing the Realities of Troubled Times,” The ACREL Papers, Fall 2011
● Co-Author, “Cost Allocations in Mixed Use Ownership Development,” The ACREL Papers, October 2014
● Co-Author, “Public Policies and Legislation Fostering Housing in California,” California Real Property Journal, Vol. 41, Issue 1, 2023
● Co-Author, “Making the Mix Work: Structuring, Operating, and Financing Mixed Use, Mixed Ownership Developments,” The ACREL Papers, Spring 2026
Honors & Awards
- Selected to California Super Lawyers, 2005-Present
- Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in Community Association Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, and Real Estate Law, 1995-Present
- Rated by Martindale-Hubbell as an "AV/Preeminent Attorney"
