USA California Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass is a prominent real estate practice offering particular strength in obtaining land use, zoning and environmental approvals for development projects. With an especially strong presence in the Bay Area, the firm counts notable healthcare, technology and real estate investment companies among its clients. It is recommended for sales and purchases, leases, financings and joint ventures.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher offers a premier service with expertise covering all aspects of real estate, including joint ventures, financing and land use. The firm is especially renowned for its representation of leading real estate lenders, in addition to private equity firms and investors, often in transactions employing complex debt and equity financing structures.

Holland & Knight has expertise in obtaining land use, zoning and environmental approvals for significant development projects. Adept at financing and executing a variety of real estate transactions the firm has additional expertise in EB-5 and tax-exempt bond financing. It's clients include REITs and local governments, and the firm has a particularly strong offering in relation to public finance and municipal bond matters.

Latham & Watkins earns strong market endorsement for its land use expertise. The lawyers also handle sophisticated corporate and finance transactions for significant clients within the real estate industry. The firm is highly experienced in taking on work from REITs, as well as developers, investors, and other critical real estate players.

Perkins Coie is a highly regarded real estate and land use practice providing advice on all phases of a development project. The firm is also experienced at representing public agencies in relation to contentious land use proposals. Clients include leisure and hospitality corporations, as well as shopping center operators. It also offers experience advising on environmental aspects of projects, including CEQA compliance and water quality regulations.

Cox Castle & Nicholson fields a dedicated real estate practice with capabilities throughout California. They offer a comprehensive service for real estate transactions, including obtaining the necessary approvals, negotiating financing and executing transactions. Acknowledged by market sources as an active presence on the market and frequently seen representing major investors, the firm is highly regarded for litigation, and has a deep well of experience advising on land use and entitlement matters.

Manatt Phelps & Phillips handles diverse real estate and land use matters across the country, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and development projects. It is also adept at structuring equity and debt financing transactions. Experienced advising on matters involving public utilities and shopping centers, the firm works closely with its corporate, government relations and environment teams to tackle multidisciplinary issues.

Allen Matkins maintains a strong reputation across the state of California for its deep real estate expertise. Particularly noted for its strength in highly sophisticated leases, acquisitions and dispositions. Recognized in the market for representing developers, the firm has additional expertise in related areas, including joint venture transactions, land use approvals and commercial finance and tax issues.

Alston & Bird is home to a respected group with notable experience assisting clients in obtaining zoning, land use and environmental approvals for a range of substantial development projects. The lawyers represent developers, municipalities and companies in connection with the entitlements of commercial, residential and industrial projects. It also has noted experience acting as counsel in land use litigation.

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has a broad land use and real estate practice that handles a range of matters for real estate owners and operators. It is recognized for securing approvals for projects spanning sectors including energy, healthcare, shipping and residential.

DLA Piper is capable of advising across a wide range of real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leases and financing. The firm frequently represents foreign investors breaking into the California real estate market. Clients include financial institutions and high-profile developers. The firm is familiar with a variety of specialized property classes, from transport and utility infrastructure to tech campuses and hotels.

Nossaman is a respected adviser on all aspects of the land use permitting process, including zoning, CEQA, coastal developments and eminent domain. The firm is especially adept at counseling public agency clients, such as government associations and transport authorities, guiding them through all stages of entitlement and litigation procedure. It frequently interacts with significant regulatory bodies, particularly the California Coastal Commission.

Paul Hastings undertakes highly sophisticated acquisitions, dispositions and developments across California, including providing advice on joint ventures and real estate financing. Clients include household-name technology companies and the team is much sought after by private equity companies. Offers notable additional expertise in land use matters.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton can boast a well-respected real estate practice with a respected bench of experienced practitioners who provide high-quality advice on leases, joint ventures, financings and acquisitions. The firm offers expert counsel for clients such as developers, real estate firms and investors and also advises clients on compliance with environmental and land use issues.