Allen Matkins Ranked Number One Real Estate Law Firm in California by Chambers & Partners

LOS ANGELES – June 23, 2008 – Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP announced that Chambers & Partners has released its rankings for the premier real estate law firms in California and has announced that Allen Matkins is again in the number one tier of real estate law firms in California.

On the Chambers & Partners Web site, the firm's attorneys are referred to as having “tremendous reach and market know-how” and an “impressive portfolio of clients.” Highlights from the past year include representing a real estate company in connection with its $43 billion purchase of the nation's largest office-building owner and manager and representing an operating company in selling its $3.3 billion portfolio of industrial properties. The group also represented a national hotel company in obtaining a preferred equity investment from a Wall Street investment bank and the restructuring and recapitalization of a portfolio of hotels located throughout the U.S. Michael Matkins, Richard Mallory, Tony Natsis and Kevin Ehrhart, and construction attorney Raymond Buddie have also been 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. To identify top law firms for the Chambers & Partners U.S. directory, 40 full-time researchers conduct more than 7,000 interviews of clients and peers in the industry over a period of 8 months. The following is what Chambers USA 2008 said about the firm on their Web site:

The Firm: The firm was said to come highly recommended for its “strength and depth in real estate,” sitting among the crème de la crème of Californian law firms in this regard. Clients are particularly impressed by the 100-strong team’s “tremendous reach and market know-how.” With such a deep bench, the firm is able to advise on a variety of matters, demonstrating particular strength in the leasing arena. A recent highlight was representing a client in the leasing of the three-office building project known as Century Park - one of the largest of its kind in Southern California.

Real Estate Attorneys: Founding partner and “absolute leasing guru” Richard Mallory co-chairs the firm’s San Francisco office. “Superb at coming up with solutions, both in conversation and on paper,” he represents landlords in a host of commercial and industrial leasing matters.

Michael Matkins enjoys an equally impressive reputation as an “outstanding lawyer with great experience” in the real estate field. He is regarded as an “authority” in the eyes of his peers and is a “legend.” 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.

Based in the firm’s Century City office, the“outstanding” Tony Natsis is widely recommended for his expertise in development, leasing, asset management, and drafting purchase and sale agreements. Clients applaud his “professionalism and focus.”

Kevin Ehrhart is known for his representation of developers. His practice revolves around commercial office portfolio-related matters, as well as the development and financing of projects such as golf courses and hotels. Interviewees highlight him as "someone to watch."

Construction Attorney: Raymond Buddie , a partner in the firm's San Francisco office, offers a complete perspective and unparalleled approach to achieving solutions to complex construction issues and resolving construction related disputes. He is a “well-rounded lawyer” applauded by interviewees for being “good at extracting the crucial issues from a mass of disparate bits of information.”

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.