Andrew W. Lafrenz is a litigator and partner in Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP, specializing in commercial real estate and insurance disputes. His representation has included large retail chains and regional stores, insurance carriers, real estate developers and various other businesses, such as Lucky Stores, Inc., Public Storage Management, Inc., General American Life Insurance Co., Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Co. and Jacuzzi Inc.

He also represents developers, property owners, commercial tenants and contractors in various breach of contract disputes related to the acquisition, development, disposition and transfer of real property, and development and construction agreements.

Mr. Lafrenz has represented large commercial tenants in landlord/tenant disputes over leases and subleases and in unlawful detainer actions. He has successfully represented tenants in disputes over claims made by landlords for damage to property, including one suit resolved through mediation that involved several hundred thousand dollars of environmental work to clean contaminated water. He has also represented property owners in inverse condemnation actions brought against municipalities. Mr. Lafrenz also has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting ground and commercial leases.

His construction law practice emphasizes insurance defense matters involving construction and design defects. In one recent case, he negotiated a six-figure settlement for a building owner in compensation for roof failure. He also represents clients in contractor/vendor disputes and mechanics lien actions.

He is also active in mediations and other alternative dispute mechanisms, both as counsel for disputants and as a mediator or other neutral participant.

Mr. Lafrenz became associated with Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP in 1972, and became a partner in the firm in 1977. From 1977 to 1980, he served as an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University, where he taught business law. He earned his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1972. He was awarded his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from Dartmouth College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

He is a member of the State Bar of California (Public Law Section), American Bar Association, Contra Costa Bar Association (Criminal Law Section), Alameda County Bar Association (Speakers Bureau Chair 1986-87) and the Contra Costa Council, an organization serving the business community of Contra Costa County. He regularly sits as Judge Pro Tempore in small claims court in Oakland and has sat in that capacity in the Alameda County Superior Court. He is an avid chess player, with a USCF rating of 1815, is a student of Homeric Greek and Classical Latin, and is conversant in German.

Mr. Lafrenz is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.  An AV Rating is given only to attorneys who have reached the height of professional excellence and are recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.

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