Real Estate: California

THE FIRM This superior real estate group is one of the most diversified and active in the market. It is skilled in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and equity work, among other areas of expertise. The group has been busy during the economic downturn with an increased amount of stressed asset restructuring and workouts. It also helps clients with strategic purchases of distressed debt and assets.

Sources Say: "These lawyers don't miss a beat when it comes to serving their clients' interests."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Matkins is "a leading light; clients love his business savvy and judgment." He is particularly skilled in contract negotiations and joint venture agreements. Richard Mallory is a well-known leasing lawyer in the state: "He was one of the first to start a landlord leasing practice in California," sources reveal. Practice chair Anton Natsis is also "a big leasing lawyer around town." He also handles disputes and development work. Kevin Ehrhart is "very accessible and gets things done in a short amount of time." Peers praise him for his business savvy and his strength in sales transactions.

THE FIRM This skilled zoning and entitlements practice has a focus on PPP. It is also deeply knowledgeable about California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) regulations and both counsels clients and represents them in litigation.

Sources Say: "A sophisticated practice with lawyers who really know what they're doing and turn out good work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Entitlements specialist Pamela Duffy is "excellent in ascertaining what is important," says one client: "She knows our needs and our values." She has been advising on the relocation of the Exploratorium, a highly complex public-private project. This involved securing the ground lease of a pier from the San Francisco port, which required special approvals from the State Lands Commission and the local board of supervisors. Harry O'Brien is "a problem solver who gets the deal done." He is lead attorney for the San Francisco 49ers in their effort to build a new, 68,000-seat stadium.

THE FIRM Cox Castle is one of California's most prominent and well-respected real estate boutiques. It has a robust land use and entitlements practice and, with presence in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Francisco, has great state-wide reach.  

Sources Say: "The firm has great lawyers and an impressive client list."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ira Waldman is highly regarded for his ability in real estate finance, workouts and restructurings. Lawrence Teplin is respected as the firm's senior litigator. Mathew Wyman is "particularly good for joint venture work." He is also well-known for acquisition and disposition transactions. Senior partner Phillip Nicholson is "a truly fabulous lawyer." He has vast experience in real estate transactions and litigation. Zoning and land use dean Kenneth Bley is renowned for his CEQA compliance and litigation practice. He recently represented the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California against Campus Crusade for Christ in an eminent domain action. Michael Zischke is noted for his CEQA litigation experience as well as his crossover environmental work. "He literally wrote the book on CEQA," says one source.

THE FIRM This top-tier group is noted for its sophisticated knowledge of PPP. Lawyers recently advised DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners on the entitlement and CEQA process for a 60-acre mixed-use project.

Sources Say: "Using DLA Piper is value added."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Meyer is one of the better known leasing specialists. "He basically invented the commercial tenant practice," sources say. "People really rave about" Stephen Cowan, who performs a great deal of leasing dispositions work. The majority of his practice has been focused on the workout side recently. In this regard, he was involved in the restructuring of a mezzanine refinancing related to a $300 million development of a large, mixed-use project in Tucson, Arizona. Richard Mendelson is in the Los Angeles office. He undertakes joint ventures, acquisitions and restructuring work. Linda Bozung "understands what needs to be done and goes above and beyond to protect her clients - she's great with people," say interviewees. She is highly esteemed for entitlement work.

THE FIRM This market-leading real estate practice has the depth and talent to meet any client need. On the transactional front, it is skilled in contractual development, financing and acquisition work. The group also has a sizable land use and entitlements practice.

Sources Say: "A great firm with a great practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dennis Arnold is regarded as one of the preeminent workout, restructuring and remedies attorneys on the West Coast. Sources praise his knowledge: "He does a lot of speaking and writing and knows a great deal about real estate law." Group chair Jesse Sharf is "good at what he does and extremely intelligent. He doesn't have to show everyone he's the smartest guy in the room - they just know it." He is at the top of everyone's list for high-end equity and debt financing work, both at the front end and on restructuring, workout and enforcement matters. He typically represents private equity funds, banks, investment banks, operators and special servicers. Michael Sfregola has extensive experience of structuring the acquisition and financing of commercial, industrial and residential properties, including hotels and resorts. His capital markets and tax knowledge is highlighted as a particular strength. "He is astute and creative. We would love to have him here if we had the opportunity," reveals one admiring peer. San Francisco-based Deborah Cussen is "focused, practical, committed and really easy to work with." She has been busy recently with work on behalf of equity investors, operators and lenders. Amy Forbes is "an incredibly quick study - she's great on the technical aspects of land use, and her ability to size up the political situation is also invaluable." She handles land use, zoning and CEQA matters. She successfully secured the entitlements for the Hollywood Park Racetrack, a mixed-use redevelopment in Inglewood, California. Mary Murphy is "one of the top land use attorneys in the Bay area." She excels in negotiating public-private development deals. Key work includes the development of a sustainable mixed-use facility on Treasure Island, where she is lead counsel to the developer.

THE FIRM This compact but vibrant Santa Monica group is recommended for its leasing work, particularly on the tenant side. It is also praised for its high-quality expertise in purchase and sale agreements. 

Sources Say: "The group's best attribute is responsiveness. The lawyers do a good job of protecting our interests."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing shareholder Jonathan Gross is "a patient negotiator who does an outstanding job in articulating difficult concepts."

THE FIRM This dynamic team is expert in transactional matters, including joint venture agreements, as well as conventional financing vehicles. Among other things, the lawyers have recently been busy with several high-level PPP matters.

Sources Say: "Our go-to firm for complicated real estate transactions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lewis Feldman is "a great public financing attorney." He represents Lennar Corporation in the multibillion-dollar financing of the redevelopment and reuse of the former El Toro Military Airbase in Irvine, California. Real estate finance attorney Edward Hagerott is "responsive and smart - he really looks out for our interests," clients say. He recently worked on several restructurings, including a significant matter for Morgan Stanley. Dean Pappas is "great for complicated work like joint ventures and debt equity transactions." He represented ING Clarion Partners in connection with its acquisition of a department store property connected to the South Bay Galleria shopping mall in Redondo Beach.

THE FIRM Holland & Knight's extremely well respected real estate practice continues to thrive, particularly in zoning and land use work. It acts on behalf of many residential developers and excels at acquisitions and dispositions.

Sources Say: "The lawyers are especially strong in timeshare and condo work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jennifer Hernandez is praised for her "depth of understanding and ability to balance forcefulness with tact." She is a go-to attorney for development and entitlement issues, in addition to being an environmental law specialist. Susan Booth deals with distressed assets and workouts. She also handles work for borrowers, including REITs. 

THE FIRM This real estate transactional and land use practice has expertise in a range of areas, including master development projects.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Transactional attorney Donald Berger undertakes a substantial amount of lending work for financial institutions and borrowers. Cindy Starrett has expertise in land use and entitlement issues. George Mihlsten is also skilled in land use planning.

THE FIRM This excellent practice spans the whole of California, with clients benefiting from the resources of five offices throughout the state. The group is particularly noted for its transactional work, but also has expertise in planning and zoning matters. 

Sources Say: "A significant West Coast real estate group."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Senior partner Steve Edwards "has a great personality and is among the very best real estate lawyers in Orange County." His broad range of skills includes a specialty in real estate finance, acquisitions and dispositions. Lately, he has also been advising on the buying, selling and restructuring of distressed assets. Co-chair of the real estate and land use practice Susan Hori is a noted land use specialist. She has recently handled some impressive entitlement work, including acting for the Lewis Operating Group on the Villages of Lakeview project.

THE FIRM This compact group has expertise in acquisitions, dispositions, financing, workouts and restructurings, as well as sale and leasebacks and leasing work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Susan Diamond has expertise in land use and entitlements law. Bruce Fischer's practice includes counseling REITs and their advisers on the purchase, sale and financing of commercial properties.

THE FIRM Morrison & Foerster excels in both transactional matters and litigation. It typically represents banks in real estate finance work.

Sources Say: "Morrison & Foerster has a long history of good work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Fileti is "bright, capable and knows the business." He handles real estate financing, mostly representing banks. Kim Seneker is the senior statesman of the group and "a dean of the California real estate Bar." Though semi-retired, he still maintains an active practice. Los Angeles-based Marc Young is chair of the firm's international real estate practice group and "a great lawyer who deserves recognition."

THE FIRM This group is known for its strength in litigation. The team has extensive experience of advising owners and potential purchasers of real estate obtain entitlements and approvals.

Sources Say: "They know how to close a deal and are accommodating in difficult circumstances."

KEY INDIVIDUALS O'Malley Miller has "a great reputation and a loyal client following," particularly for his expertise in finance, land use and development. He is also recognized for the quality of his workouts and restructurings.

THE FIRM Orrick handles the debt financing of investment vehicles and complex workouts, such as lender-loan default negotiations, among other things.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Liever works on developing, buying, selling, leasing, and financing real estate. San Francisco partner William Murray has built a solid practice representing developers. Noel Nellis is senior partner and chair of the global real estate practice. Gerard Walsh advises on acquisition, disposition, construction, development, financing, leasing, and restructuring issues.

THE FIRM This fine practice has worked on a long list of high-value transactions. The group typically acts for developers, financial institutions, opportunity funds, real estate operating companies and pension funds. It recently represented Facebook on lease negotiations for its headquarters in Palo Alto, and in respect to its data center development and leasing needs. 

Sources Say: "The lawyers here are very strong - some of the best I have dealt with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS San Francisco-based Charles Thornton is a senior partner who is "well respected for his joint venture work." Alan Weakland's strength lies in hotel-related work. In 2009, he represented CIM in its $125 million purchase of the Sheraton Grande Hotel Sacramento from the City of Sacramento.

THE FIRM This comprehensive real estate practice is widely admired by market commentators. The group advises on acquisition, development, construction and financing matters, among others. It is skilled in handling the myriad challenges related to PPPs.

Sources Say: "Pillsbury is always responsive to our needs. We're very happy with the service we get."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Herr is "an excellent lawyer who works extremely hard for his clients." His practice encompasses all aspects of real estate law. He is noted for his representation of Shorenstein Properties in its high-profile office acquisition and financing of Main Plaza in Orange County. Transactional lawyer James Rishwain is chair of the group. His work has included representing the Los Angeles Unified School District in a variety of matters in several complex facilities development projects.

THE FIRM This is one of the most notable real estate boutiques in the state. The group has cultivated a strong reputation for real estate financing, and is commended by market sources for aggressively representing its clients' interests.

Sources Say: "Pound for pound, this team is one of the best around."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stevens Carey is praised for remaining "calm and rational no matter how stressful the situation. He has infinite patience, and the ability to wear down the opposition." He handles transactional real estate matters. The "top notch" Phillip Nichols represents high-profile clients in complex transactional matters and disputes. He is skilled in workouts and commercial leasing. Leo Pircher continues to be "a leading lawyer in California." He is an expert in acquisitions and financing work.

THE FIRM Sheppard Mullin has a fine reputation for zoning and land use work. Interviewees highlight its impressive roster of lender clients.

Sources Say: "Terrific on the land use and affordable housing side."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Thompson is "the leader of the group and very involved," say sources. He handles both transactional and land use work. David Madway has a strong focus on CEQA compliance work, and a deep understanding of public development transactions. "In the redevelopment area he is absolutely outstanding," noted one peer.

THE FIRM Sidley Austin's real estate practice continues to garner praise from peers and clients alike. Lawyers provide cutting-edge counsel to lenders, investors, developers, builders, owners and tenants.

Sources Say: "A broad and a deep bench in pretty much everything we need; it has become our principal outside counsel."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Tremendous lawyer" Paul Walker is regarded as the shining light of the group. In recent times, he has been busy with several large, syndicated workouts. He recently represented Wells Fargo and University Gateway in a $127.5 million construction loan for a student apartment and retail complex adjacent to the University of Southern California. Marc Hayutin is "a wonderfully creative lawyer, a brilliant strategist and an excellent technician." His particular specialty is sale and leasebacks, but he has shifted his focus more on to workouts during the economic downturn.

THE FIRM Skadden's real estate group represents an extensive list of developers, lenders, investment banks, REITs and opportunity funds in a range of matters. It provides clients with sophisticated analysis of their loan workout and restructuring issues.

Sources Say: "A huge practice with a high caliber of attorney."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Excellent lawyer" Rand April heads the group in Los Angeles and has sophisticated knowledge of development work for hotels and shopping centers. He also has considerable experience of public and private offerings in a range of real estate securities matters, including REITs and securitized debt. Allan Mutchnik advises on complex loan workouts and partnership restructurings, as well as distressed debt acquisitions and fund formations.