Thursday, July 9, 2015

Real Estate Attorney Named
to Oakland Port Board

By Mark Edward Nero

Real estate attorney Joan Story is set to join the Port of Oakland Board of Port Commissioners on July 11 after being appointed this week by the Oakland City Council.

The City Council on July 7 appointed Story, a partner in the international law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, to a four-year term. During the same meeting, the Council also reappointed incumbent Port Commissioner Cestra “Ces” Butner to an additional term.

“We are delighted that Joan Story is joining the Board of Port Commissioners to strengthen our deliberations and policymaking with her skill and experience,” Board President Alan Yee said in a prepared statement. “We’re also grateful that Ces Butner will continue to provide us with his vision and leadership.”

Story has over 35 years of experience representing developers, foreign and institutional investors and corporate users of commercial real estate. She graduated from Occidental College and also received a Master’s in Political Science from UCLA and a law degree from the University of California at Davis. She’s also a former member of The Trust for Public Land California Advisory Board.

“It’s a privilege to join the Board of Port Commissioners,” Story said. “The port is vital to the economic health of the East Bay and I’m eager to help guide its future with my new colleagues.”

“I’m excited by the opportunity to continue supporting the Port and the people of Oakland,” said Butner, a local business owner and Oakland resident since 1981. “And I look forward to working with Joan Story – her expertise in real estate and land use planning will be critical in our future decision-making.”