Allen Matkins Ranked Number One Real Estate Law Firm in California by Chambers & Partners; Construction, Labor and Employment Practices Named Among Best in California

LOS ANGELES - June 17, 2010 - Chambers & Partners has released its rankings of the premier law firms in the U.S. and, for the ninth consecutive year, Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP is in the number one tier of real estate law firms in California. Chambers & Partners also recognized the firm's construction, and labor and employment practices among the best in the state.

Real estate attorneys Michael Matkins, Richard Mallory, Tony Natsis and Kevin Ehrhart, construction attorney Raymond Buddie, and labor and employment attorney Dwight Armstrong were also individually recognized by the publication.

Through interviews with peers, significant purchasers of legal services, and competing law firms, London-based Chambers & Partners rates business lawyers at U.S. law firms by state within a selected set of key practice areas, assessing the attorneys' and firm's legal abilities, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by clients. The following is what Chambers USA 2010 said about Allen Matkins on their Web site:

Real Estate Practice Recognition: "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 distressed asset restructuring and workouts. It also helps clients with strategic purchases of distressed debt and assets."

Founding partner Michael Matkins is lauded as "a leading light; clients love his business savvy and judgment" and is noted for his particular skill in contract negotiations and joint venture agreements.

"Well known leasing lawyer" Richard Mallory, founding partner and co-chair of the firm's San Francisco office, "was one of the first to start a landlord leasing practice in California."

Based in the firm's Century City office, Tony Natsis, a name partner of the firm and chair of its real estate department, is a prominent "leasing lawyer around town," who also handles disputes and development work.

Chambers & Partners has named Kevin Ehrhart among the outstanding real estate attorneys in the California for the fifth year in a row. He chairs the Allen Matkins real estate group in Los Angeles and the firm's hospitality practice. Clients value that he is "very accessible and gets things done in a short amount of time," and his peers "praise him for his business savvy and his strength in sales transactions."

Construction Practice Recognition: The firm's construction practice "shine(s) in its representation of general contractors and construction managers. The team has recently been involved in a large number of commercial landlord-tenant and construction disputes." The team's attorneys were recognized as being "articulate and detail-oriented. They don't miss a beat." In addition, Raymond Buddie, a partner in the firm's San Francisco office who is known for his representation of owners, is also licensed civil engineer, "which further enhances his ability to identify and promote his clients' interests." Sources said that Buddie "is a very good lawyer" and they "have a lot of respect for his ability."

Labor and Employment Practice Recognition: The firm's labor and employment practice is distinguished for being "responsive to clients' needs" and the group's attorneys "are extremely knowledgeable about both state and federal law."

Dwight Armstrong, a partner in the firm's Orange County office and chair of the firm's labor and employment practice group, was commended as being "knowledgeable and excellent with details." His practice "is broad and covers employment litigation and preventive counseling as well as traditional labor law." Armstrong also serves as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.

ABOUT ALLEN MATKINS

Allen Matkins, founded in 1977, is a California-based law firm with approximately 220 attorneys in four major metropolitan areas of California: Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and San Diego. The firm's core specialties include real estate, real estate and commercial finance, bankruptcy and creditors' rights, construction, land use, natural resources, environmental, corporate and securities, intellectual property, joint ventures, taxation, employment and labor law, and dispute resolution and litigation in all these matters. For more than 30 years, Allen Matkins has helped clients turn opportunity and challenge into success by providing practical advice, innovative solutions and valuable business opportunities. When clients' challenges require experienced trial counsel, Allen Matkins has a proven track record of successful litigation before juries, judges and arbitrators.