Catherine Engberg joined Shute, Mihaly, & Weinberger in 2002 after completing a clerkship with the Honorable Barry Ted Moskowitz, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of California. Ms. Engberg is a partner at the firm. Her practice includes municipal law, CEQA compliance and litigation, local initiatives and referendums, eminent domain, real estate transactions, and general plan and zoning law.
Ms. Engberg serves as City Attorney to the City of Half Moon Bay, and as Deputy City Attorney to both the City of Orinda and City of Saratoga. She regularly advises clients regarding open meeting laws, conflicts of interest, and public records.
Ms. Engberg has litigation experience in both state and federal court regarding constitutional, CEQA, land use, and election law matters. She has advised several public agencies in connection with updates to their general plans, housing elements and related CEQA documentation. Ms. Engberg routinely represents community groups in administrative proceedings and CEQA litigation over major infrastructure and residential projects.
Ms. Engberg is a member of the firm’s initiative and referendum committee. She has drafted numerous ballot measures on behalf of community groups, including three countywide initiatives to ban fracking.
Ms. Engberg routinely presents on land use and housing issues. In May 2017, Ms. Engberg spoke at the California League of Cities annual City Attorney Conference regarding developer-sponsored ballot initiatives. In November 2016, Ms. Engberg presented to the Livable Communities Advisory Team, AARP, on the topic of “CEQA Pros and Cons” and engaged in a discussion of challenges that restrict affordable housing production. In the fall of 2014, Ms. Engberg spoke at the Southern California County Counsels’ Association Meeting on a panel entitled “Fracking: Discussion of Legal Issues Facing Local Governments.”
In Spring 2017, Ms. Engberg taught Land Use Law at Stanford Law School.
Ms. Engberg received her law degree, with distinction, from Stanford Law School in 2001 and her undergraduate degree from Stanford University in 1995. Prior to attending law school, she worked as an environmental engineer and is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer.
Ms. Engberg served on the Kensington Municipal Advisory Council from 2013-2017, providing recommendations on planning, design review and land use issues in her local community.
Education
J.D., Stanford Law School (2001)
B.S., Stanford University (1995)
Catherine Engberg is not teaching any Law courses in Fall 2024.