Overview

As a founding and managing partner of White Brenner LLP, Doug White has set himself apart as a widely respected thought leader and legal practitioner.  Doug’s “clients first” approach is focused in the areas of real estate, land use, municipal law and litigation.  His diverse groups of clients range from cities, counties, special districts, and other public agencies to private developers, builders, lenders, professional associations, unions and business owners.   Doug has vast experience in land use entitlements and project approvals, CEQA and NEPA, real estate contracts and commercial transactions, leasing, building and project certifications, project financing, eminent domain, public contracting and regulatory and governmental affairs.

Doug currently serves as the City Attorney for the cities of Angels Camp, Dixon, and Sonora, as well as Deputy City Attorney for the cities of Livingston, Oakdale, Riverbank, Patterson, and Ceres, and is also special counsel for a number of other cities. Doug also serves as General Counsel to San Miguel Community Services District. As both a City Attorney and General Counsel, he advises public entities and officials on issues pertaining to the Brown Act, Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, public contracting, code enforcement, and other municipal and public law matters. In addition to his municipal work, Doug has also successfully represented his public and private clients in high-profile litigation matters and has obtained favorable judgments and settlements.

Prior to forming White Brenner, Doug served as legal counsel and Vice President of Government Affairs for the California Bankers Association as well as legal staff for the Fair Political Practices Commission.  Doug also benefits from his extensive political experience as Chief of Staff, Legislative Director and consultant to various elected officials, including former Congressman Dennis Cardoza and former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.

Doug has been recognized as one of the leading attorneys in the United States on issues related to renewable energy and sustainability and has been named by the California Real Estate Journal as one of California’s Green Leaders. He has been selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine and been featured as a speaker and moderator at state and national conferences. Doug is as an AV Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and has been honored by his peers as Best of the Bar by the Sacramento Business Journal every year since 2014.

Doug is not only an innovative leader in his field, but also in the office. As managing partner, he leads by example, incorporating his business experience and technological know-how into ensuring White Brenner remains at the forefront in providing exceptional legal services to its clients. In addition to all of those roles, Doug is a dedicated family man, occasional half-marathon runner, and California wine enthusiast.

Significant Projects and Representations

• Amazon.com Distribution Hub in Patterson, California
• Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant Reuse in Riverbank, California
• Douglas Park project in Long Beach, California
• Fountainbleu project in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Newhall Ranch project in Los Angeles, California

If not a lawyer… I would work at a winery in Napa. Obviously, I would like to make wine, but I’m probably not qualified for much else other than pouring. I’d just be happy to be there. But if I did produce my own wine, pinot noir (of course), it would be nice to name it after my children.