David Pai

Bio

David Pai is a Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice. He represents state agencies and officials in trial and appellate matters, primarily in land use, coastal access, and disputes arising from the State’s housing and climate policy. He also litigated employment and public safety matters for over a decade. His practice mirrors the breadth of the State’s interest—from defending the CHP’s right to recover emergency response costs from DUI arrestees, to removing local constraints to housing developments, to protecting natural habitats and waterways under the public trust doctrine.

David graduated from UC Law SF in 2002. He came to law school quoting Saul Alinsky and somehow ended up working for the government. When not in the office or courtroom, he can be found enjoying life in the Mission District with his wife and daughter. Many of his classmates have left for greener and cheaper pastures. But while San Francisco has changed quite dramatically over the years, it remains the most excellent place in the world.