Martha Lofgren is one of Sacramento’s preeminent attorneys specializing in advocacy before government agencies on land entitlement, regulatory issues, transportation funding, affordable housing, and economic development. She brings a unique blend of practical experience to each client matter: the focus and attention to detail of an experienced litigator and the depth and breadth of experience required of a city manager and a city attorney. Her twelve years of executive-level municipal government service is complemented with representation of large public and private companies on land use, medical center planning and entitlement, contracts, CEQA, mining permits and public/private partnerships.

An expert in public agency contracts, Martha uses her knowledge of local government to negotiate deals that protect private party interests in ways local agencies will agree to by crafting collaborative solutions. Martha’s public management experience carries over to management of large-scale entitlement projects, supervising consultants from many technical disciplines. She knows how to work around roadblocks and achieve timely approvals that meet client deadlines. She provides strategic advice on managing political dynamics and calmly maneuvers contentious situations to secure project approvals, which saves her clients time and money.

As Folsom city manager and city attorney during a period of rapid economic development (1994–2006), she navigated difficult housing and transportation issues to find creative solutions. Martha remains engaged with regional leaders and is often consulted by city managers as well as candidates for local office.

Martha is a Senior Fellow of the Mountain Valley Chapter of the American Leadership Forum and served in leadership capacities with the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Valley Vision, American Leadership Forum, Folsom Lake College Foundation and B Street Theatre. She presently is co-chair of the Comstock’s Magazine Advisory Board, and serves as a board member on the Folsom Tourism and Economic Development Corporation.

• Represents national hospital system as land use counsel, project manager, and government affairs liaison for expansions of medical campuses in Sacramento and Stockton; project management includes direct contracting with and supervision of subconsultant team of 15 technical experts
• Represents multiple clients with projects within Rancho Cordova on development agreements and extension of entitlements
• Lead attorney for three separate landowners in Folsom South Area negotiating development agreements, affordable housing plans and conditions of approval
• Represents owners and interested stakeholders in review of CEQA documents for private development projects, including drafting comment letters and negotiating additional mitigation measures to resolve environmental concerns
• Facilitates strategic planning for local governments and nonprofits
• Monitors for landowners and negotiates with SACOG issues related to the Sustainable Communities Strategy and Blueprint
• Negotiated transportation mitigation requirements with City of Folsom, County of Sacramento and City of Rancho Cordova
• Negotiated donation of private property for preservation as open space to local agency in exchange for relief from assessment district payments, which also included tax benefits to property owners
• Led successful effort to obtain federal funding for the construction of a new bridge by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to replace the roadway closed over Folsom Dam following 9-11
• Negotiated settlements for multiple eminent domain actions and resolved bid disputes for Lake Natoma Crossing
• Solved funding issues related to an elementary school, public library, youth sports complex, and arts and senior center
• Member of Leadership Team responsible for preparing regional economic development blueprint for Next Economy

 

Honors

• Women of Influence, Comstock’s Magazine, 2017
• Sacramentan of the Year, 2015
• Best of the Bar, Sacramento Business Journal, 2015
• Champion of Education, NextEd, 2013
• Women Who Mean Business, Sacramento Business Journal, 2012
• Volunteer of the Year, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 2010
• Woman of the Year, 5th Assembly District, 2006

 

Specialties

• Land use and land entitlement (conditions of approval; development agreements)
• Coordination of technical consultants on complex projects
• Affordable housing
• Political strategy and community outreach
• SACOG Sustainable Communities Strategy (development and implementation)
• Municipal law
• Intergovernmental relations and public policy
• Negotiations with local, state and federal regulatory agencies
• Economic development and public/private partnerships
• Strategic planning
• Mining permits
• CEQA

 

Personal Interests/Achievements

• Summited Mount Whitney (14,508′) by way of the Mountaineer’s Route, 2010
• Summited White Mountain (14,252′), 2012
• Hiking in Switzerland and Canada
• Co-founder of Sacramento regional women’s CEO group
• Provides strategic advice to women interested in small business development
• Facilitates Sacramento regional women’s leadership group (mid-career women)
• Pilates and yoga

Recent Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, BOLD Conference “Daughters,” November 2020
• Speaker, Boise Metro Chamber Leadership Conference “Examples of Regional Collaboration and Governance Models from the Sacramento Area,”, Sun Valley, April 2019
• Speaker, Leadership Boise “Thought Leadership”, March 2019

 

Leadership

• Co-chair, Comstock’s Editorial Board, 2021 –
• Chair, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 2013
• Chair, Valley Vision, 2012
• Chair, Folsom Lake College Foundation, 2008–2011
• Legal Counsel, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 2009–2010
• Chair, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Subcommitee on “Strong Mayor” Charter Amendment, 2009
• Wellesley College Admissions Representative, Sacramento Region
• President, Federal Bar Association

 

Boards

• Comstock’s Magazine Advisory Board, 2017 – present
• Folsom Tourism and Economic Development Corporation (TEDCORP)
• American Heart Association, 2018 – 2022
• Host Committee 2016 – 2020
• American Leadership Forum Board of Directors, 2016 – 2019
• Metro PAC, 2019
• Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 2009–2014
• Valley Vision, 2009–2013
• B Street Theatre, 2007–2011
• Folsom Lake College Foundation, 2007–2012
• Powerhouse Ministries (Homeless Services)
• Federal Bar Association
• Folsom Economic Development Corporation
• American Heart Association “Go Red” Leadership Committee, 2015 – 2018

 

Public Service

• City Manager, City of Folsom, 2000–2006
• City Attorney, City of Folsom, 1994–2000

 

Associations

• Member, California Women Lead
• Senior Fellow, American Leadership Forum
• Member, Phi Beta Kappa

Brewer Lofgren LLP
Partner & Co-Founder
May 2006 – Present

Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
June 2011 – December 2011

City of Folsom, California
City Manager
2000–2006

City of Folsom, California
City Attorney
1994–2000

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe
Attorney (Litigation Department)
1986–1994

Gray Carey Ames & Frye
Attorney (Litigation Department)
1985–1986

Duke University, Leadership Program in Health and Well Being
2021 Certificate Program – Duke University Health

University of California, Davis – King School of Law
Juris Doctor
1985
Activities and Societies: Senior Articles Editor, Law Review

Wellesley College
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
1976–1980
Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Graduated with Highest Academic Distinction