Allen Matkins Ranked in Top Tier of California Real Estate Law Firms by Chambers and Partners for 15th Consecutive Year

LOS ANGELES – June 1, 2016 – Chambers and Partners has released its annual rankings of the premier business law firms in the U.S. and, for the 15th consecutive year, Allen Matkins is in the number one tier of real estate law firms in California. Chambers and Partners also recognized the firm's construction, environmental, and labor and employment practices among the best in the state.

Real estate attorneys Michael Matkins and Tony Natsis; environmental attorneys Pamela Andes, David Cooke, James Meeder and Sandi Nichols; labor and employment attorney Dwight Armstrong; real estate: zoning/land use attorney Jeffrey Chine; and banking and finance attorney Pauline Stevens were also individually recognized by the publication.

Real Estate Practice:

Construction Practice:

Through interviews with peers, significant purchasers of legal services, and competing law firms, London-based Chambers and Partners rates business lawyers at U.S. law firms by state within a selected set of key practice areas, assessing the attorneys' and firms' legal abilities, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by clients. The following is what Chambers USA 2016 said about Allen Matkins on its website:
Allen Matkins maintains a strong profile across the state of California for its deep real estate expertise. Particularly noted for talent in highly sophisticated leasing, acquisitions and dispositions. Work highlights include advising Kilroy Realty in connection with the sale of a portfolio of 12 San Diego offices for $275 million. The firm was also engaged by Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT to handle the acquisition of a 460,000 sq ft campus, which is leased out to DreamWorks Animation to serve as its headquarters and studio.

According to sources interviewed during the research process, Jeffrey Chine is "a very talented land use lawyer" who "works on matters of industry importance." He recently obtained approvals on behalf of the Kilroy Realty Corporation for the One Paseo mixed-use development project, including negotiating CEQA challenges. Clients admire "star leasing attorney" Anton Natsis for being "very skilled at negotiation" as well as "extremely knowledgeable on leasing issues." He similarly demonstrates strength in acquisition, disposition and development transactions. Michael Matkins has a strong track record of representing lenders and borrowers in the negotiation of joint venture and financing arrangements. Clients comment that he "knows all of the developers and is well connected."
Allen Matkins is known for its expert handling of construction issues arising from each stage of a project, including contract negotiations, bid protests and delay claims. The firm is also noted for its experience in both private and public projects. Work highlights include acting for Raintree Partners on the development of several residential construction projects across California totalling over $82 million.

Environmental Practice: Allen Matkins maintains a strong reputation for the full range of environmental regulatory, transactional and dispute resolution work. It frequently advises clientele on high-value projects requiring environmental due diligence. In addition, the firm possesses a wealth of experience in water rights and quality matters. Work highlights include representing the San Diego Unified Port District in litigation regarding responsibility for remediation of sediment contamination under CERCLA and the Oil Pollution Control Act.

Pamela Andes regularly assists clients through all stages of project development, with a wealth of expertise in a range of environmental and real estate transactions. Sources note that she is "good at understanding environmental issues and coming up with creative solutions." The "very skilled environmental litigator" James Meeder handles a wide array of criminal and civil environmental disputes. His practice includes soil and groundwater contamination, toxic torts and Proposition 65 matters. Sandi Nichols is praised by her clients as "an excellent, passionate advocate." She heads the firm's environmental and natural resources group and is known for representing clients in water quality and contamination disputes. She is described by market sources as "very practical in her advice."

Labor and Employment Practice: Allen Matkins is known for having a wide-ranging practice that includes standout work on employment litigation. According to sources interviewed during the research process, "They are always getting out legislative updates. They make sure they're familiar with new requirements and communicate that to their clients." Dwight Armstrong "is very practical. He listens to what the client needs, and is very thorough in helping the client achieve the goal." He is well known for his work on employment litigation.

ABOUT ALLEN MATKINS

Allen Matkins, founded in 1977, is a California-based law firm with approximately 200 attorneys in four major metropolitan areas of California: Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco. The firm's areas of focus include real estate, construction, land use, environmental and natural resources; corporate and securities, real estate and commercial finance, bankruptcy, restructurings and creditors' rights, joint ventures and tax; labor, employment and OSHA; and trials, litigation, risk management and alternative dispute resolution in all of these areas.