Board Member Focus: Dan Engler
Dan Engler is a real estate lawyer who is passionate about solving complex problems for his clients so their transactions and development projects can proceed. As a partner at the law firm of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP in San Francisco, his work provides a never-ending supply of such challenges.
Engler’s practice focuses on residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties in the Bay Area and throughout California. His areas of expertise include real estate development and land use entitlements as well as commercial leasing, purchase and sale transactions.
Redevelopment projects are what he finds most rewarding. “I especially enjoy working on deals where existing, underperforming properties are transformed with new uses,” he said. “They are some of the most interesting because of the complexity that is often involved.” Engler and his team are currently working on the reinvention of a former Navy fuel depot into a mixed-use community and a variety of shopping center redevelopments which incorporate new residential and commercial uses. He loves the tangible nature of real estate. “I can walk down the street and see the real estate deals and projects that I am working on,” he said. “That gives me a great deal of satisfaction.”
Engler first started attending NAIOP SFBA events in 2009 with the annual Cal vs. Stanford Real Estate Challenge and became more actively involved in 2012 when he joined Cox Castle & Nicholson LLP, which is a NAIOP SFBA Platinum sponsor. He began serving on the Government Affairs Committee in 2017 and was appointed to the Chapter Board of Directors at the beginning of this year.
“What I value most about NAIOP is the people” he said. “They are a group of incredibly smart, fun, hard working professionals who are committed to the growth and success of our industry.”
In terms of advice for young people getting started in the business, Engler encourages them to take advantage of all the networking and mentoring opportunities that are available. “Get out and participate in industry events to build your network, find mentors and expand your knowledge,” he said, “NAIOP is great for that.”
On the personal front, Engler grew up in a small town in Maine. He did stints in several other parts of the country, including Washington, D.C. and Denver, and traveled around the world for a year. Then, in 2005 he and his wife, Sahra Halpern moved to the Bay Area so she could pursue a job opportunity and he could attend law school.
Today they reside in North Oakland. Sahra is Director of Strategic Lending Initiatives at Capital Impact Partners, a mission-driven nonprofit lender that supports projects in underinvested communities. They have two kids, Hanna (11) and Adam (9) as well as two cats and a poodle. In his free time, Engler loves to travel and spend time outdoors hiking, biking and skiing.
