Brian Shaffer is a litigation shareholder in Miller Starr Regalia’s Walnut Creek office. Brian has significant experience litigating cases in federal and state courts. His practice focuses on real estate litigation and complex commercial litigation matters, ranging from commercial lease disputes, eminent domain, broker liability litigation, non-disclosure disputes, title insurance and escrow matters, quiet title actions, easement disputes, lender liability, complex construction litigation, and general business litigation. His clients include real estate developers, outdoor advertising companies, property owners, title insurance companies, financial institutions, and real estate brokers, among others.
Brian focuses on handling each case in a cost-efficient manner designed to obtain results consistent with each client’s business and legal needs.
Brian also contributes to Miller & Starr, California Real Estate, 4th Edition.
J.D., cum laude, Santa Clara School of Law (2008)
B.S., Managerial Economics, University of California, Davis (2003)
Represented prominent real estate developer in connection with claim by real estate broker over entitlement to a commission for listing of a $6.5 million property in San Francisco. Obtained favorable decision for client at arbitration, including an award of 100% of client’s attorneys’ fees.
Represent a large outdoor advertising company with respect to lease disputes and eminent domain litigation in matters throughout California.
Defended national homebuilder against claims by another builder for reimbursement of significant infrastructure costs pertaining to large development in Sacramento. Obtained dismissal of all claims against client through successful motion to dismiss.
Represented mortgage company in action for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract.
Represent business owners, property owners, and tenants in eminent domain and inverse condemnation actions involving various public projects throughout the state of California.
Bar Association of San Francisco
California Mortgage Bankers Association
Contra Costa County Bar Association
Contra Costa Leadership Program (2013–2014)
Santa Clara University Bronco Builders Association – Board Member
Miller & Starr Newsalert, “California’s Anti-SLAPP Statute: A Potent, Yet Confounding, Weapon,” Volume 27, Number 6, July 2017
"UPDATE: Sifting Through the Ashes: The Demise of Redevelopment Agencies and the Scramble to Figure Out the Next Step," Miller & Starr, California Real Estate Newsalert, Volume 23, Number 1, September 2012
"Sifting Through the Ashes: Who Owns the Assets of a Former Redevelopment Agency and Related Title Concerns," Miller & Starr, California Real Estate Newsalert Volume 22, Number 6, July 2012
"The Demise of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Housing Finance Reform and the Potential Impacts on the Real Estate Market,” Miller & Starr Newsletter, Fall 2011
"Employer Liability for Negligence of Notary Employees," California Escrow Association, CEA News, Volume 42, Number 3, July 2010
“The NBA’s Age Requirement Shoots and Misses: How the Non-Statutory Exemption Produces Inequitable Results for High School Basketball Stars,” Santa Clara Law Review, Volume 48, Number 3, 2008
Miller Starr Regalia (MSR), a preeminent California real estate and land use law firm for nearly 60 years, announced today that David Song has joined the firm’s Litigation Department as an associate in the firm’s Walnut Creek office.
Lawsuits designed to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional right of free speech or the right to petition have taken on increasing significance over the last several decades.
MSR has promoted attorneys Katie Jones, Giselle Roohparvar and Brian Shaffer to shareholder.