Real Estate
Real Estate
Our real estate lawyers provide versatile legal services for a diverse array of clients, handling all forms of transactions and litigation. We bring not only expertise, but also an understanding of our clients' specific needs, with a reputation for both effective advocacy and practical deal making.
Our clients range from individuals to large corporations, both locally and nationally. They include financial institutions, investors, developers, buyers, sellers, owners, managers, landlords and tenants. We serve as counsel to many major industry participants, such as investor/developers, senior and health care providers, shopping centers and public agencies.
Experience
As a multiservice firm, we handle every aspect of a property transaction, from financing and development to environmental and construction issues, property management, and dispositions. Our vast experience representing local and state entities enables us to navigate laws and regulations in a manner that best serves our clients.
Entity Formation and Tax Counseling
We assist clients in forming corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and single purpose and bankruptcy remote entities. We implement common interest and cooperative ownership housing arrangements.
Land Use and Development
We help developers obtain the necessary entitlements and other regulatory approvals and are adept at fashioning pragmatic solutions when issues arise. Our areas of expertise include NEPA/CEQA compliance, general plan, zoning and map approvals, development agreements, transit related developments, land use disputes and LAFCO annexations.
Lending and Project Finance
We negotiate purchase money loans, construction loans, “mini-perm” and permanent take-out financing and other institutional lending arrangements. We also structure equity financing joint ventures and hybrid equity/mezzanine financing undertakings. Our clients include lenders in general real estate transactional matters – including commercial and retail leasing – as well as nonprofits and public sector entities.
Property Acquisition and Sales
We complete complex real estate transactions, negotiating letters of intent, purchase agreements and other transaction documents. We assist with assessing and performing property inspections, environmental, title and other necessary due diligence, and our tax specialists assist our clients with tax-free exchanges and other tax-driven transactions.
Leasing and Lease Litigation
We represent owners and managers of commercial real estate in all aspects of landlord-tenant relationships and lease litigation. We also advise them on day-to-day property management issues. We handle lease litigation for a variety of commercial developers and shopping centers, and also represent commercial landlords and shopping centers in tenant bankruptcies locally and nationwide.
Environmental Compliance
We provide coordination and analysis of Phase I and Phase II site assessments, and negotiate indemnity and remediation arrangements. We defend landowners against environmental claims and negotiate pragmatic remediation solutions with regulatory authorities, and we offer particular expertise in brownfields development and redevelopment incentive programs.
Construction Issues and Disputes
We offer a full array of construction law related services to developers, including contract preparation, project management, mechanic's liens, delay claims and construction defect disputes.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
We handle all types of property related disputes, including purchase and sale transactions and breach of lease and other landlord-tenant conflicts. We also deal with issues over lender and financing, title, broker and agency, escrow and co-owner conflicts. In disagreements of land use, we have experience in zoning and use permit issues, boundary disputes, condemnation, easement and license disputes and premises liability matters. In addition to our extensive trial experience, we are also experts in resolving disputes through mediation, arbitration and legislative or administrative action.
Key Contacts
News & Resources
Key 2025 CEQA Updates for Residential Developers: Extended Exemption and Streamlining Options
Effective January 1, 2025, California lawmakers extended and modified several CEQA exemption or streamlining pathways for housing projects, including infill projects, homeless shelters and "tiny homes," and university housing projects.
Federal Government Contracting: What to Expect Under Second Trump Administration
This article predicts ways a second Trump administration may impact construction projects. This article examines the Buy American Act, the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, Tariffs, and P3s.
Governor Newsom Issues Orders to Assist with Rebuilding Efforts in Los Angeles; Los Angeles County Bans the Removal of Fire Debris
Governor Newsom and Los Angeles County have issued orders that affect recovery and rebuilding in the fire disaster areas.
Updates to Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadlines
FINCEN Updates to Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadlines with most deadlines extended until mid-Januray 2025
Regulations for Logistic Operations Just Got a Lot More Complicated
In the past month, California and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took actions that will significantly impact warehousing in California. First, on September 29, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation (AB98) that will require certain new or expanded (20% or more) logistic uses to adhere to new site plan and building standards. Second, on September 11, 2024, the EPA approved the South Coast Air Quality Management District's (SCAQMD) Rule 2305, “Warehouse Indirect Source Rule—Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program" as part of the California State Implementation Plan.
Private Real Estate Investing & the Corporate Transparency Act
The primary purpose of the CTA is to combat significant crimes Congress believes are committed through business entities in the United States. The potential burden on law abiding real estate investment companies, however, is significant. This article delves into the CTA's applicability to common investment and sponsor entities, outlines potential exemptions, and emphasizes the need for early compliance assessment.
The EPA Designates Two PFAS Compounds as “Hazardous Substances” Under CERCLA, Triggering Potential Cleanup Liabilities for Private and Public Entities
CERCLA now requires that owners and operators clean up PFOA or PFOS contamination on their properties.
Is Compliance with Air District Regulations Proving to be Difficult?
Businesses can apply for variances to continue operating despite air rule violations. Variances are subject to hearings which resemble courtroom proceedings, where both parties present evidence and public testimony may influence decisions.
The EPA Finalizes PFAS Drinking Water Limits While California Adopts Public Health Goals for PFOA & PFOS, Which Will Have Wide Ranging Effects
The US EPA moves ahead with new PFAS regulations, which affect public water systems, wastewater treatment operators, and contaminated site cleanups.
California Court Decision Creates Uncertainty as to the Ownership of Aggregate Resources on Land Subject to General Mineral Reservations
The recent California Court of Appeals decision in Vulcan Lands Inc. et al. v. Victoria Older Currier et al. 2023 WL 8821307 challenges the long-standing interpretation of mineral rights in land deeds. Contrary to the Bambauer v. Menjoulet (1963) 214 Cal.App.2d 871 precedent, which excluded sand and gravel from general mineral reservations, the Vulcan decision recognizes these aggregates as "minerals" included in such reservations. This shift in legal interpretation impacts landowners and aggregate mining companies in California, introducing uncertainty in land use rights and potential legal disputes regarding the ownership and mining of aggregate resources.
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