Zachary A. Streiff

Senior Associate

Zachary Streiff excels at resolving complex business disputes both in and outside the courtroom. Whether through negotiation, mediation, or vigorous litigation, Zach is tireless in pursuing the best possible results for his clients.

Zach’s clients are diverse, ranging from technology companies and Silicon Valley startups to California public entities, retail and hospitality businesses, as well as legal, healthcare, and financial professionals. His broad litigation experience includes actions involving breach of contract, harm to business interests, real property, and family trust disputes, among others.

Prior to joining Downey Brand in 2024, Zach practiced law for five years at a small firm in Monterey County. Before that, he served as a research attorney for the Civil Department of the Monterey County Superior Court, where he honed his legal skills and gained valuable insight into the judicial process. After graduating from law school in 2015, Zach practiced for two years with the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review, through the U.S. Attorney General’s Honors Program.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section
  • Monterey County Bar Association, Board Member, 2021-2023
  • Monterey College of Law, Instructor, Fall/Spring Legal Writing Course and Summer Legal Research Seminar, 2021-2023
  • Ecology Law Quarterly, Volume 41, No. 3 through Volume 42, No. 2, Former Articles Editor
  • Prepared and filed a complaint for a technology startup co-founder to pursue fraud and unfair treatment committed by another co-founder.
  • Drafted a successful legal complaint to validate public entity bonds under the Marks-Roos Local Bond Pooling Act, resulting in opening up a multi-million-dollar stream of revenue to a Monterey County public entity.
  • Defended a public employee from a federal civil rights lawsuit in the Northern District of California.
  • Filed a successful motion for summary judgment for a large hospitality industry client, resulting in the dismissal of a personal injury lawsuit.
  • Leveraged a pending motion for summary judgment to obtain a dismissal of a medical malpractice lawsuit against emergency room physician clients.
  • Negotiated disputed accounts payable and receivable for multiple technology company clients, initiating collection lawsuits when necessary.
  • Represented a retired California state court judge in a real estate dispute.

Announcements

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Zach has taught legal research and legal writing to several groups of law students. In his spare time, Zach enjoys running, gardening, and traveling internationally with his family.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section
  • Monterey County Bar Association, Board Member, 2021-2023
  • Monterey College of Law, Instructor, Fall/Spring Legal Writing Course and Summer Legal Research Seminar, 2021-2023
  • Ecology Law Quarterly, Volume 41, No. 3 through Volume 42, No. 2, Former Articles Editor