Michelle W. Chan
Michelle advises clients on land use entitlements, environmental compliance, and real estate transactions.
Michelle Chan represents developers, landowners, and public agencies in all stages of project development, including for mixed-use, commercial, and residential projects throughout California. She helps clients secure land use approvals such as general plan amendments, specific plans, zoning, and subdivision map approvals. Michelle also drafts and negotiates purchase and sale agreements, development agreements, leases, easements, licenses, and related transactional documents and agreements.
Michelle regularly advises clients on compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and represents clients at public hearings to obtain land use approvals. She defends entitlements in litigation. Her current work involves the redevelopment of regional retail centers, transit-oriented mixed-use development projects, large mixed-use master-planned communities, and high-density residential projects.
In her active pro bono practice, Michelle represents clients seeking asylum and assists local nonprofit organizations.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Boston University School of Law, J.D., 2011
- Bowdoin College, B.A., Government, 2006
Bar and Court Admissions
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California
Related Employment
- Judicial Extern to the Honorable Neil Bason, United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, CA, 2012
- Judicial Extern to The Honorable Ramona G. See, Los Angeles Superior Court, Los Angeles, CA, 2011-2012
Professional Recognition
Listed in Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyer" for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2021-2024
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Land Use and Zoning Law; Real Estate Law, 2023-2025