Bar Admission
State Bar of California, admitted December 2010.
All California state courts; United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of California; United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
About
Brendan Darrow
Litigation attorney. Former Assistant City Attorney, City of Berkeley. Former counsel to the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. Housing, land use, construction, and government accountability.
Brendan "Bren" Darrow, photo by Stephen Texeira
Let's face it: California cities can be a nightmare of bureaucratic red tape, made even worse at a time when Sacramento keeps passing legislation that the cities won't or can't implement. To find your way through the maze of local regulations, you need an advocate who understands the system from the inside out.
Brendan Darrow is a seasoned litigation attorney who leverages his experience working inside city government to deliver strategic, results-oriented representation. As the former Assistant City Attorney for the City of Berkeley, Bren possesses a rare, behind-the-scenes understanding of how local governments operate, regulate, and litigate. Today, he uses that perspective to help his clients anticipate regulatory hurdles and resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.
Bren's practice focuses on housing regulation and construction. He routinely guides clients through challenging land use and permitting processes, and forcefully advocates for them in disputes over permit denials, contractor liability, and landlord-tenant issues. Whether you are negotiating with a local agency, seeking accountability for defective work or overcharges, or trying to understand rent control, Bren's priority is clear, strategic guidance focused on your objectives.
In addition to his housing practice, Bren draws heavily on his municipal background to advise members of the public seeking accountability and transparency from their local governments, including open meeting laws, California Public Records Act disputes, limits on the type and amount of local fees, and police matters.
Bren has worked on California housing law from nearly every seat: as a legal aid lawyer for tenants, as counsel to a rent board, inside city government, and as an appointed commissioner making recommendations on housing policy. He is fluent in spoken and written Spanish and handles consultations in Spanish.
Experience
Where he has practiced.
Principal, Darrow Law, P.C.
Represents clients in housing regulation, construction, land use, and other municipal law matters. Guides property owners through complex permitting processes and regulatory hurdles. Litigates construction defects, contractor delays, change order disputes, and landlord-tenant issues. Negotiates with government agencies regarding special exemptions for Accessory Dwelling Units and the requirements of recently adopted pro-housing legislation. Files writs of mandate to overturn unlawful land use decisions. Advises and represents clients in government transparency matters, including open meeting rules and California Public Records Act litigation. Challenges excessive municipal fees and litigates local compliance with Propositions 218 and 26. Handles sensitive civil matters involving police liability and municipal compliance with police accountability laws.
Assistant City Attorney, City of Berkeley
Represented the City in litigation and oversaw its entire litigation portfolio, including complex litigation over construction defects in major public works projects. Advised the City Council and city departments concerning their respective duties, powers, functions, and obligations. Drafted memoranda, resolutions, administrative regulations, ordinances, contracts, and notices of violation.
Provided comprehensive legal advice to the Planning and Development Department, including Building & Safety, and drafted amendments to the City's Demolition Ordinance and Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance. Advised and represented the Police Department on regulatory compliance, disciplinary matters, officer-involved shootings, public records, contracts, and the Police Accountability Board, and supported staff engaged in the Public Safety Re-Imagining process.
Served as liaison to the Emergency Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, attended meetings of the City Council, its policy committees, and other boards and commissions, and served as Acting City Attorney whenever the City Attorney was unavailable.
Staff Attorney II, Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board
Represented the Rent Board in court cases challenging administrative hearing decisions and in constitutional challenges to its legislative authority. Advised the elected Commissioners and the Executive Director concerning their duties, powers, functions, and obligations. Researched legal issues and prepared opinions, resolutions, regulations, ordinances, and ballot measures. Reviewed administrative proceedings on appeal before the elected Commissioners.
Staff Attorney & Clinical Supervisor, East Bay Community Law Center
Represented more than 160 clients in trial court and advised more than 2,000 unrepresented tenants on the full range of landlord-tenant disputes, including rent increases, subsidy terminations, evictions, repairs, security deposits, and foreclosures. Handled extensive civil litigation, including bench trials, jury trials, and motion practice at every stage. Supervised a team of law clerks, and held a Lecturer appointment at Berkeley Law teaching civil procedure with an emphasis on discovery, motion practice, and oral advocacy.
Identified public agencies that were not complying with housing laws and advocated for permanent correction of those policies. Worked with State Assembly Members on landlord-tenant legislation and proposed language that became law through the passage of AB 2610, and was directly involved in drafting and revising local ordinances in Berkeley and Oakland.
Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley School of Law
Developed the curriculum for and taught a seminar on professional ethics to law students enrolled in civil field placements, emphasizing the development of personal ethical standards above those required by the California Rules of Professional Conduct and the ABA Model Rules.
Credentials
Admission, education, and recognition.
Law School
Juris Doctor, University of California, Berkeley School of Law, 2010.
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania, 2007. Sol Feinstone Award for Orderly and Constructive Social Change; Robert A. Fox Leadership Award.
Languages
English and Spanish. Fluent in spoken and written Spanish; consultations available in Spanish.
Community & Public Service
Beyond the practice.
Berkeley Housing Advisory Commission
Commissioner 2013 to 2016, elected Chair in 2015 and re-elected in 2016. Advised the City Council on affordable housing programs and funding, heard matters on the abatement of substandard buildings, and sat as an appeals board for tenants and property owners on relocation and code correction.
Centro Legal de la Raza
Volunteered bi-weekly in the Spanish-speaking housing clinic in Oakland from 2008 to 2013, working directly with tenants facing eviction and supervising clinic volunteers and newer attorneys from 2011 to 2013
Speaking & Training
Practising Law Institute, Eviction Defense 2.0, Beyond the Basics (2015); Alameda County Bar Association, Unlawful Detainer Mediation (2015); East Bay Community Law Center, Litigating on Behalf of Tenants in Foreclosure (2010). Completed mediation training with Steven Rosenberg (2019).
Equal Justice Works Fellow
During the foreclosure crisis in 2008-2009, Bren recognizing that 40– 60% of foreclosed properties in California were home to lawful, rent-paying tenants. Bren designed his fellowship project to help lowincome tenants— who typically learn of foreclosure after the fact—to navigate the complex legal processes and exercise their rights under federal, state, and local laws. This two-year fellowship was funded by the generosity of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
Se habla español
Bren habla español con fluidez y atiende consultas en español. Bren is fluent in spoken and written Spanish and handles consultations in Spanish.