Michael G. Zatkin

With an emphasis on business litigation, real estate law and commercial leasing, Michael G. Zatkin counsels a broad range of business entities and individuals in transactional matters and litigation in state and federal court.

Mr. Zatkin manages issues relating to partnership, corporate and LLC formation and dissolution, as well as the development, construction, leasing and sale of real property and businesses.  An expert on commercial leasing, he has negotiated and drafted hundreds of commercial leases and counsels both property owners and tenants in complex leasing transactions and disputes.

In addition to regularly litigating breach of contract cases and commercial claims, Mr. Zatkin has also successfully litigated partnership disputes, trade secret misappropriation actions, contested probate matters, residential and commercial evictions, collections, and fraud claims involving real estate brokers and other fiduciaries.  He also handles matters pertaining to civil writs and appeals, and provides counsel to local businesses engaged in disputes concerning municipal zoning ordinances.

In contested matters, Mr. Zatkin is highly skilled in the rules of civil procedure and evidence, and is a tenacious and strong advocate during all stages of litigation.

Mr. Zatkin obtained his law degree from the University of California, Davis and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego. While in law school, Mr. Zatkin was a finalist at the Fordham University Securities Law Moot Court Competition and an active member of the Journal of International Law and Policy.  He is licensed to practice in California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Mr. Zatkin resides in Oakland and enjoys reading, tennis, and playing baseball and soccer with his two sons and daughter.