Lutfi Kharuf is a partner in the Special Districts and Public Finance practice groups of Best Best & Krieger LLP. Lutfi works with public agencies on compliance with constitutional and statutory limitations on imposing fees, charges and taxes, including Proposition 218 and Proposition 26. In this capacity, Lutfi assists public agencies with adopting new and increased fees, charges, assessments and taxes, as well as forming community facilities districts and assessment districts. Lutfi is based in BB&K’s San Diego office and serves as chair of the firm's Recruiting Committee.

Prior to joining BB&K, Lutfi worked as bond, disclosure and issuer’s counsel to cities, special districts and other public agencies in California. Lutfi has experience advising clients on complex tax, securities and constitutional issues arising out of public finance transactions. Lutfi previously worked in the corporate and finance group of an international law firm in Frankfurt, Germany.

While earning his law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, Lutfi was a member of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program. After completing law school, Lutfi received his master’s of law degree in finance from the Institute for Law and Finance in Frankfurt, Germany.

Lutfi formerly served on the Leadership Council of the GO Campaign, an organization dedicated to empowering local heroes to improve the lives of children across the globe. Lutfi is currently a board member of the San Diego County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the San Diego County Bar Association, and also sits on the Legal Affairs Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies. Lutfi is a mud run enthusiast and enjoys the sounds of live music during a night out at the Hollywood Bowl.

Education

• Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main, Institute for Law and Finance, LL.M., finance
• University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D.
• University of Southern California, B.A., international relations, with a minor in law and public policy, magna cum laude

Admissions

• California

Memberships

• League of California Cities, City Attorney's Department, Municipal Finance Committee
• Association of California Water Agencies Legal Affairs Committee
• San Diego County Bar Foundation Board of Directors
• GO Campaign, Leadership Council, Vice Chair, 2016-2017

Awards

• 40 Next Top Business Leaders Under 40, San Diego Business Journal, 2021
• ​San Diego Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Public Finance, 2021-2022
• 40 Under 40, SD Metro Magazine, 2020
• Top 40 Under 40, San Diego Daily Transcript, 2019