Michael B. Brown
Experience
Mike Brown is a partner in the firm's Lake Tahoe office and is a member of the
Litigation Practice Group. Mike has practiced in the Lake Tahoe area for almost 20
years, and his practice encompasses the full range of complex commercial,
construction and real estate litigation. Mike’s litigation experience includes the
representation of large housing companies, real estate investment trusts, developers,
contractors and businesses in real estate and administrative law matters, and in real
property and business litigation in state and federal courts. This includes the litigation
of claims for breach of contract, fraud, nuisance and trespass, diversion of surface
water, partition of real property, inverse condemnation, products liability,
misappropriation of trade secrets, violation of the Lanham Act, and unfair
competition.
Partner
Representative Work

Aspen Grove Condo. Ass’n v. CNL Income Northstar LLC, No. C073530 (Cal. Ct.
App. Oct. 3, 2014) (slip op.). As trial counsel for a 180-unit condominium
development following an 18-day trial in 2012, obtained an interlocutory
judgment for a mandatory injunction against the upslope developers and
successor property owners (Northstar Village) for their poor design and
Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 582-2282 direct
(530) 582-2281 fax
michael.brown@stoel.com
unreasonable development practices caused by the diversion of stormwater at
Education
the Northstar Village Resort to an infiltration basin during the $200 million

expansion in 2004. Representation also included the successful defense of the
School of Law, J.D., 1995, with great
appeal in a published decision of the interlocutory judgment in October 2014,
distinction
and the ongoing guidance to the client through the continuing damage
Order of the Coif
Associate Comment Editor, Pacific Law
Journal, 1994-1995
investigation, recommendations for repair and remediation, and representation
in the damage phase of the nuisance/trespass and water diversion litigation.

In 2014, successfully represented hotel developer in contractual dispute with
property owner during due diligence period, which allowed development to


Dean's Honor Roll, 1992-1995

Pomona College, B.A. Economics, 1990
proceed.
Admissions
In 2014, successfully represented small shopping center owner in resolution of

California
contractual dispute with tenant.

Nevada
In 2014, represented large utility company in quiet title and easement dispute

U.S. District Court for the Northern,
Central and Eastern Districts of
with property owners.

University of the Pacific, McGeorge
In 2011, secured a bench trial judgment in favor of water company in dispute
with homeowners’ association concerning scope of easement to develop facilities
at Lake Tahoe. Representation also included advising company on issues
concerning the regulations of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (“TRPA”).
California

U.S. District Court of Nevada
Michael B. Brown

In 2010, secured a complete defense and affirmative award on cross-complaint for developer of condominium project in a
contractual and mechanic’s lien dispute with contractor following multi-day binding arbitration.

Represented developers, contractors and real estate firms in land use and construction defect litigation, which in 2010 invol ved
obtaining a $5 million settlement prior to trial for a large housing company client.

Represented large national electrical product distributor in $6 million product liability action in the U.S. District Court, Eastern
District of California.

Represented property owners in complex partition actions. See LEG Investments v. Boxler (2011) 183 Cal. App. 4th 484.

Represented property owners in defending enforcement actions with regulatory agencies including the TRPA.

Represented large publicly traded real estate investment trusts in real estate and commercial litigation in Nevada.

Represented businesses and owners of residential real property in general real estate matters and disputes with local, state and
federal regulatory agencies.

Represented landlords and tenants in commercial lease disputes in California and Nevada.

Represented distributor of telecommunications products in the successful resolution of claims for violation of the Lanham Act in
the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

Represented payment technology company in a trade secret misappropriation lawsuit and obtained a dismissal of the lawsuit in
the U.S. District Court of Nevada.

Represented Intrawest, a resort developer, in numerous real estate and commercial matters in California and Nevada.

Successfully litigated, arbitrated and mediated a large number of disputes, including construction defect claims, real estate a nd
homeowners’ association matters, and insurance coverage disputes.
Professional Honors and Activities

Selected by Best Lawyers® as Litigation-Land Use & Zoning Law Lawyer of the Year, Sacramento, 2014

Listed in Best Lawyers in America© (currently: Litigation-Land Use & Zoning), 2006-2016

President, Tahoe Truckee Bar Association, 2001-2002

Member, American Bar Association

Member, California Bar Association

Member, Nevada Bar Association
Civic Activities

Board member, Truckee-Donner Chamber of Commerce, 1999-2005

Board member, Contractor's Association of Truckee-Tahoe Community Project, 2006-Present

Member and former Board member, The Rotary Club of Truckee, 2012-Present
Michael B. Brown