Michael Polentz, a real estate and land use attorney and partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, died last week, the firm announced on Friday. He was 54 years old.

At the time of his passing Polentz led the firm's energy, environment and real estate group. He had been with Manatt for more than 16 years at the time of his passing. Outside of his work at Manatt, Polentz was the co-chair of the Urban Land Institute's Silicon Valley chapter and was a member of its public development and infrastructure councils.