Of Counsel
Matthew R. Cody
He/Him
Of Counsel Matt Cody is a member of Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Municipal Law and Real Estate practice groups, where he focuses his practice on economic development, real estate and affordable housing.
Matt has a background in real estate litigation, including commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes, breach of contract claims, title disputes, and tort and premises liability cases. He regularly counsels clients in lease disputes, contract negotiations, and compliance with local, state and federal laws.
Immediately prior to joining BBK, Matt served as deputy county counsel for the County of Sonoma, where he negotiated real estate transactions and provided guidance for buying, selling, leasing and managing real estate assets. He has experience advising clients in affordable housing transactions involving federal, state and local funds, administration of HUD-sponsored programs, including Section 8 housing assistance, and state and local rent control regulations.
Matt also has experience in election law and litigation. He has advised campaigns, public officials, public entities, and non-profits regarding voting rights, campaign finance, and the California Elections Code. He has also drafted ballot measures and advised public and private clients throughout the initiative and referendum process.
Matt’s community service has included serving as a member of the board of directors for ECHO Fair Housing, a commissioner for the City of Pleasant Hill’s Traffic Safety Commission, and a member of the board of editors for Contra Costa Lawyer. During law school, he was an editor and writer for the McGeorge Law Review.
In 2023, Matt moved from Northern California to Portland, Oregon. While he continues to practice in California, he is also licensed in Oregon and works with BBK's Bend office.
- Represented client in ground lease and use of state grant funding to develop 30 units of interim housing for homeless individuals.
- Represented client in ground lease for redevelopment of public land for new library building, 124 units of affordable housing, and related uses.
- Represented client in sale of land and local funding for loan to support development of 74-unit affordable housing project.
- Represented client in the use of federal funding to support development of 43 units of permanent supportive housing.
- Represented client in the sale of land and use of state funding for development of 58 units of permanent supportive housing.
- Represented joint powers authority in the acquisition of commercial property to be used as operations.
- Represented city in the sale of former airport site utilizing seller financing structure.
Publications
- “Dispute with FEMA Threatens $300M in Funding for California Budgets,” Daily Journal, Mar. 8, 2024
Presentations
- "Review of Recent Changes in Uniform Guidance and HUD Regulations - Implementation, Challenges, and Best Practices," Housing Oregon Industry Support Conference, Sept. 16, 2025
- "2025 Housing Law Legislative Updates," Argent Communications Group California Land Use Law & Policy Annual Conference, May 21, 2025
- "Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinances - Cautionary Tales & Success Stories,"
California Housing Community Development Conference & Expo, Dec. 4, 2024 - "Innovative Strategies to Deliver Workforce Housing," California Housing Community Development Conference & Expo, Dec. 3, 2024
- "Keeping Up with the Surplus Land Act," California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, Sept. 11, 2024
- "What’s the Latest from Sacramento and Beyond?" Argent Communications Group California Land Use Law & Policy Conference, Feb. 15, 2024
- "Surplus Land Act and Special Districts: Know the Impact," California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, Aug. 30, 2023
- "Surplus Land Act & Its Housing and Land Use Impacts," League of California Cities City Leaders Summit, April 13, 2023.
- "Surplus Land Act: Know the Facts Before You Transact," League of California Cities City Managers Conference, Feb. 9, 2023.
