David Matthews is a Partner of the firm, specializing in real estate matters. David represents national retailers in negotiating leases and resolving retail disputes throughout the country. His practice also includes the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and disposition of properties. David’s clients include Gap Inc. (including Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta); Levi Strauss & Co.; Ulta Beauty; Ralph Lauren (including Polo Ralph Lauren and Club Monaco); Aritzia; Allbirds; Roark; Luxottica (including Ray Ban, Oakley, Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters); P.F. Chang’s; PetSmart; and a first class specialty grocer.
David is a member of the Board of Governors of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, whose highly-selective membership is recognized as the top real estate attorneys in the United States. David currently serves as chair of the Orientation and Integration Committee, assimilating new fellows into the ACREL organization.
David chaired the 53rd annual ICSC Law Conference in 2023, the premier event of the retail real estate legal community, which featured 75 presentations and 55 roundtables by more than 175 speakers, and was attended by over 1,200 attorneys. David has been on the Law Conference leadership team since 2017, and currently serves as chair of the Membership Nominating Committee.
Prior to joining Bartko, David was Associate General Counsel for Gap Inc.’s Real Estate Law Department where he was integrally involved in both new store development (from letter of intent through store construction) and property management of Gap Inc.’s existing fleet. During David’s 10-year tenure at Gap Inc., he negotiated thousands of leases and real estate- related documents. He played a key role in developing Gap Inc.’s leasing policies and real estate practices and has experience handling a wide range of retail real estate related disputes, including co-tenancy violations, late delivery fees and construction disputes.
Before his career with Gap Inc., David was in the real estate practice group of Morrison & Foerster, one of San Francisco’s largest law firms, where he represented landlords and tenants in commercial, office, and industrial leasing transactions; building owners and developers in acquisition, management, and disposition of real property; and creditors and borrowers in secured financings and workouts.
Education
- Columbia University School of Law, J.D. with high honors (Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar), 1990
- Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, B.S. (Foreign Service), cum laude, 1987
Professional Affiliations
- ACREL (American College of Real Estate Lawyers)
- ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers)
- American Bar Association
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of California
Publications & Speaking Engagements
David has been a speaker at several ICSC law conferences, as well as the California Retail Leasing Symposium and the Real Property Retreat of the State Bar of California.