The San Francisco District Council of Urban Land Institute (ULI) has appointed a new Chair, David Blackwell, Partner at Allen Matkins, replacing outgoing Chair Eric Tao, Managing Partner of L37 Development.

The Chair is vital in delivering the Institute’s mission throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, with 2,100-plus members. ULI is a global, multidisciplinary real estate organization with more than 45,000 members dedicated to shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. ULI San Francisco is one of the largest of the 52 ULI District Councils in the Americas region.

Over the past few months, Blackwell has served as Vice-Chair for the District Council, working closely with Tao and ULI San Francisco Executive Director Natalie Sandoval, to facilitate a smooth transition. His term as District Council Chair effectively commenced on July 1, 2023.

Tao shares, “I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with David as vice-chair this past year and know that ULI San Francisco will continue its upward trajectory under David’s capable stewardship as chair.”

Blackwell has practiced law in the Bay Area for over 30 years and is recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Real Estate Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. He manages the full range of legal matters assisting developers, property owners, corporations, financial institutions, and other clients navigate California’s complex regulatory and political processes and securing development project approvals.

Prior to his appointment as Chair, Blackwell has an extensive track record of volunteering at ULI San Francisco, including his most recent role as Vice-Chair of ULI San Francisco’s Residential Product Council. In addition, he has served on various committees and held numerous leadership roles over the last dozen years, providing invaluable support to the organization. This includes serving on the East Bay and San Francisco Programs Committees; leading planning tours for the 2015 ULI Fall Meeting in San Francisco; serving as Vice-Chair and Co-Chair for the Bay Area Programs Committee; and serving on the Management Committee and Executive Board for ULI San Francisco.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected as the next District Council Chair.  I hope to continue the great leadership provided by Eric and his predecessors and will certainly seek their counsel.  ULI is a fantastic and critically important organization regarding the development community and political landscape.  I look forward to advancing our District Council’s recent initiatives and collaborating not only with the national organization but with other forward-looking institutions in the Bay Area.” 

“I am thrilled to work with David in his new position as District Council Chair for ULI San Francisco,” said Natalie Sandoval, Executive Director of ULI San Francisco. “The Bay Area, and our industry, is experiencing significant changes, and David’s expertise in land use across the region, alongside his collaborative leadership style, will help to further support ULI San Francisco’s mission and ability to make impactful changes as we navigate the next two years.”