Allen Matkins Ranked Number One Real Estate Law Firm in California by Chambers & Partners; Construction Practice Also Recognized by Chambers as One of Best in California

LOS ANGELES - June 17, 2009 - Chambers & Partners has released its rankings of the premier law firms in the U.S. and, for the eighth 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 practice among the best in the state.

Real estate attorneys Fred Allen, Michael Matkins, Richard Mallory, Tony Natsis and Kevin Ehrhart, and construction attorney Raymond Buddie 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 2009 said about Allen Matkins on their Web site:

The Firm: The real estate practice is noted as having "superb expertise and resources, as a large team of specialists operates out of seven offices across the state." With such a deep bench, the firm is able to provide "whatever the expertise clients require, whether it be in transactions, operation and management, leasing, land use or construction." In addition, the firm's real estate group is lauded has being "deeply imbedded in the California real estate market and enjoys good relationships with others firms as well as landlords and developers."

Real Estate Practice Recognition: Founding partner Fred Allen, one of the premier real estate and finance attorneys in America, is lauded for his "broad practice includes transactions, financing, development and leasing work."

Noted as "the dean of real estate lawyers," founding partner Michael Matkins has a broad practice but is particularly "recommended for international issues and workouts." His practice is concentrated on advising investors, lenders, owners and developers on all issues relating to the purchase, sale, financing, leasing and construction of properties, such as office and commercial mixed-use projects.

Well known for his "genial style," Richard Mallory, founding partner and co-chair of the firm's San Francisco office, "is a top choice for commercial and industrial leasing matters."

Based in the firm's Century City office, Tony Natsis "offers specialist leasing advice." A name partner of the firm and chair of its real estate department, he manages "his own busy practice assisting with the development and purchasing for sale and leasing, primarily for office clients but for some retail clients also," including handling the arbitration of the fair market rent for the real property underlying Murdock Plaza, which resulted in an increased market value of the Plaza by more than $80 million.

Chambers & Partners has named Kevin Ehrhart among the outstanding real estate attorneys in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row. He chairs the real estate group in Los Angeles and the firm's hospitality practice. Clients appreciate him as "a lawyer first but also a great business adviser." Ehrhart's practice focuses on transactional real estate, including acquisition, disposition, financing, and development of mixed-use, office, residential, and retail projects.

Construction Practice Recognition: The firm's construction practice was commended for its diverse range of domestic and international clients including owners, developers, managers, contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers. Chambers & Partners mentions that "the firm's broad expertise extends to every aspect of public and private construction projects, from bidding to contracting, negotiation to dispute resolution." Clients praise the team's close involvement at every stage of the process and its "invaluable experience, judgment and responsiveness." In addition, Raymond Buddie , a partner in the firm's San Francisco office whose expertise lies in resolving disputes that arise in the construction industry, was recognized by clients as "a highly reliable, effective and knowledgeable lawyer."

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.