Lawyer’s Inspiring Success Without An Ego

By Andrew McIntyre, Law360

Original Headline: Manatt RE Leader Found Common Ground Without An Ego

(October 8, 2024, 3:53 PM EDT) -- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP has lost a Silicon Valley real estate partner with the death of Michael Polentz, and former colleagues are praising his ability to seamlessly break down complex ideas and his achievement of great success in the legal world — and doing so without an ego.

Los Angeles-based Manatt earlier this month announced the passing of Polentz, who had led the firm's energy, environment and real estate group.

Polentz practiced at Manatt for more than 16 years, after joining the firm during the Great Recession. A commercial real estate transactional lawyer at heart, he also brought to the table niche expertise in the alternative energy sector.

"One thing I remember him for was his ability to hone in on material issues in complex real estate transactions instead of getting lost in the weeds. He led many of our real estate group meetings when I was at Manatt, and I also recall his knack for being lighthearted and getting people to smile with his sense of sarcasm." - Daniel Abram, Of Counsel at?Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP

During his career, Polentz handled a wide range of real estate matters on behalf of sellers, buyers, developers, lenders, investors and contractors, helping various Fortune 100 clients get their deals across the finish line.

Comfortable with transactions for the usual commercial real estate suspects such as office properties, industrial assets and hotels, Polentz handled less-common real estate matters like transactions connected to vineyards and wineries.

He also helped clients with corporate governance, regulatory, licensing and intellectual property matters.

"He was an excellent lawyer. He knew his X's and O's, and most importantly he had an incredible bedside manner. He had an ability to take a very complex issue and make it very simple," Brian Ashin, a partner at?King & Spalding LLP?who earlier overlapped with Polentz at Manatt, told Law360. "He took the emotion out of the arguments. He'll definitely be missed at Manatt. He played a big role ... When you think of Manatt, you think of him."

Polentz, Ashin said, also often found solutions to complex issues that were great for both sides of the table.

"That's so rare in the practice, with people going out for blood," he said.

Polentz served on Law360's real estate?editorial board?for several years, and over his career weighed in on a wide range of topics, from the?Surfside tragedy?to the?effects of COVID-19?on commercial real estate to?year-end races?to get real estate transactions wrapped up.

Not to mention his thoughts on?net-zero energy?and?carbon offsets.

"I worked with Michael closely for years and was extremely saddened to learn about his sudden departure from this world. He did something very unusual: He achieved the highest levels of BigLaw success without an ego," Jubin Meraj, a Beverly Hills-based solo practitioner who earlier worked in Manatt's real estate group, told Law360. "I don't recall seeing him upset, not even once, in all the years we worked together, and even through the most trying and stressful situations. He was so deferential and generous towards me and his other colleagues. I gained so much from working with him."

"It was a blessing to know him," Meraj added.

Polentz earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from University of San Diego in 1992 and received his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1996.

A Stanford Professionals in Real Estate member as well as co-chair of the?Urban Land Institute's Silicon Valley chapter, Polentz additionally served on national and local Urban Land Institute councils.

He joined Manatt in July 2008.

"We will miss Michael dearly and forever cherish his invaluable contributions to Manatt," the law firm said in an in memoriam on its website.

--Editing by Adam LoBelia.

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