Allen Matkins Ranked in Top Tier of California Real Estate Law Firms by Chambers USA for 17th Consecutive Year

LOS ANGELES – May 8, 2018 – Chambers USA has released its annual rankings of the premier business law firms in the U.S. and, for the 17^th consecutive year, Allen Matkins is in the number one tier of real estate law firms in California. Chambers USA also recognized the firm's construction, environmental, and labor and employment practices among the best in the state.

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

Through interviews with peers, significant purchasers of legal services, and competing law firms, London-based Chambers USA 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 said about Allen Matkins in its 2018 guide:

Real Estate Practice: Allen Matkins maintains a strong reputation across the state of California for its deep real estate expertise. The firm is particularly noted for its strength in highly sophisticated leases, acquisitions and dispositions. Additional expertise in related areas ranges from commercial finance and tax to construction and environmental law. Clients note that, "the team's strengths are in their client service and responsiveness, their high-quality work product and sensitivity to our specific business issues." Another client says, "they're market leaders, they're highly respected and they represent us tremendously; I couldn't be more positive."

Founding partner Mike Matkins calls upon more than four decades of experience in transactional and financing matters. His clients include a range of lenders, owners, developers and specialist investors. Tony Natsis "has an amazing landlord practice and is very well thought of, responsive and personable with clients," according to one source. O'Malley Miller negotiates complex real estate transactions of all stripes, and has particular expertise in debt restructuring, land use and zoning. A source describes him as "a superb lawyer and a magnificent gentleman." Marc Young handles the full span of real estate transactions involving all conceivable asset types, taking on acquisitions and dispositions, development and construction projects, and borrower and lender financing.

Construction Practice: The firm's work includes drafting and negotiating design and construction contracts for a range of projects, including mixed-use, residential and retail developments. The group has the capacity to handle construction issues arising from each stage of a project, encompassing bid protests, delay and insurance claims [and a variety of complex, and often times high profile litigation matters]. They are noted for their experience in both private and public projects. A client attests: "They understand the required legal positions that our construction agreements must include, but also the clear business terms that are necessary for a project to be successful."

Environmental Practice: Allen Matkins maintains a strong reputation for the full range of environmental regulatory, transactional and dispute resolution work. The firm boasts a strong litigation team with significant experience in both trial and appeals, particularly in relation to CERCLA cases and contaminated sites. The team frequently advises clientele on high-value projects and redevelopments requiring environmental due diligence and has a wealth of experience in water rights and quality matters. Clients include Silicon Valley tech companies, major developers and public sector bodies.

The "thoughtful and responsive" David Cooke is recommended by peers for his excellence in the environmental litigation space. He is particularly noted for his handling of hazardous waste and contaminated property disputes. Pamela Andes offers a broad environmental law and real estate practice and is recognized for her handling of environmental due diligence and redevelopment matters. James Meeder is an environmental litigator with a fine track record in civil, criminal and appellate disputes relating to matters such as hazardous waste disposal, groundwater contamination and air and water quality. He is known to be "an incredibly thoughtful, strategic and knowledgeable environmental lawyer." Sandi Nichols is highly regarded for her abilities in complex environmental litigation and regulatory enforcement proceedings, including cases relating to water quality, air quality, CERCLA and RCRA matters.

Labor and Employment Practice: Allen Matkins is known for having a wide-ranging practice that includes standout work on employment litigation, including class actions and single-plaintiff claims. The firm is especially skilled in the defense of discrimination and wrongful termination claims. One client appreciates that the team is "tough in litigation when it needs to be, but also able to resolve and settle conflicts when it makes sense," and adds: "The service is excellent." Another client comments: "I couldn't have a better impression of the team; I would trust it with any case. The client service is great."

Practice head Dwight Armstrong is "highly educated, intelligent, strategic and, most importantly, he provides practical advice," report clients. He acts in a broad array of matters on behalf of employers, and has recently been active in a number of complex discrimination cases.

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 and employment; and trials, litigation, risk management and alternative dispute resolution in all of these areas. For more information about Allen Matkins please visit www.allenmatkins.com.