Real Estate

Acquisition and Disposition

We structure and negotiate complex real estate transactions across asset classes and jurisdictions, guiding clients from initial strategy through closing and post-closing integration.

• Represented Greystar Real Estate Partners in the acquisition, development, and disposition of more than $7 billion in multifamily, life science, industrial, and mixed-use assets nationwide, including related debt and equity financing.
• Represented a client in a $750 million portfolio acquisition involving 32 properties across four states, including negotiation of purchase agreements, title review, financing, and coordinated closing logistics.
• Represented a publicly traded biotechnology company in the sale-leaseback of its 250,000 square foot corporate headquarters in Carlsbad, California.
• Represented a landowner in the $187 million disposition of 25,000 acres slated for development as a master-planned community.
• Represented a Canadian-based corporation in its multimillion-dollar acquisition of commercial property in downtown Los Angeles.

Development and Entitlements

We guide real estate projects through the regulatory, environmental, and contractual frameworks required to move from concept to construction, advising clients on strategy, approvals, and risk management in highly regulated markets.

• Led entitlement and CEQA compliance efforts for the Cotino™ master-planned community in Rancho Mirage, including a Specific Plan, Development Agreement, Sewer and Water Agreement, and Environmental Impact Report.
• Secured approvals for the 1,300-home Vinedo Specific Plan project in Paso Robles, negotiating a Development Agreement that vested development rights and addressed infrastructure cost-sharing and financing.
• Represented Pulte Group in acquiring and entitling the 1,200-home Del Webb at Rancho Mirage project, including negotiations with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the City of Rancho Mirage.
• Secured entitlements for multiple large-scale residential and mixed-use communities across California, including annexations, subdivisions, development agreements, and public infrastructure negotiations.
• Represented developers in CEQA-related litigation and land use disputes arising from major residential, hospitality, and mixed-use projects.

Joint Ventures and Equity Investments

We advise sponsors, investors, and operating partners in structuring joint ventures and equity arrangements that align governance, capital, and long-term development strategy.

• Represented Greystar Real Estate Partners in structuring joint ventures and equity arrangements supporting the acquisition, development, and disposition of more than $7 billion in real estate assets nationwide.
• Represented Gemini Investments (Holdings) Limited in a joint venture with Rosemont Realty to acquire and manage institutional-quality commercial office properties.
• Represented a private equity fund in the joint venture, development, and financing of a hospitality property in San Francisco.
• Represented a landowner in contributing 1,800 acres into a partnership with a publicly traded homebuilder for development of a mixed-use residential community.

For more detail on our capital structuring and joint venture capabilities, visit our Real Estate Joint Ventures and Equity Investments page.

Finance and Restructuring

We represent lenders, borrowers, and investors in the structuring, negotiation, and documentation of real estate financing transactions, as well as loan workouts and restructurings when market conditions shift.

• Represented a publicly traded biotechnology company in the $85.6 million refinancing of its corporate office, laboratory, and production facility in Los Angeles, California.
• Represented a developer in the successful closing of a $430 million CMBS refinancing of a luxury hospitality asset in Austin, Texas.
• Represented a participant lender in a $105 million construction loan for a multifamily development in Newport Beach, California.
• Represented a national lender as agent in multiple syndicated construction loan transactions for large-scale development projects.
• Assisted financial institution clients in documenting and closing equity investments, mezzanine loans, and commercial mortgage loans to developers and property owners across asset classes.

Leasing and Asset Operations

We represent landlords, tenants, and operators in negotiating and structuring leasing and operating arrangements that protect asset value and support long-term performance.

• Represented a publicly traded biotechnology company in negotiating a 535,000 square foot build-to-suit headquarters lease, one of the largest leasing transactions in San Diego by dollar value at the time.
• Represented over 175 life sciences and technology companies in leasing and build-out transactions for research, laboratory, manufacturing, and office facilities across the United States.
• Represented a large health care company in negotiating a 360,000 square foot lease for its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Represented developers and landlords in negotiation of anchor tenant and build-to-suit leases within major retail and mixed-use developments, including ground leases and reciprocal easement agreements.
• Negotiated hotel management and technical services agreements for luxury hospitality developments, including branded hotel and resort projects.

Real Estate Disputes

When projects or investments encounter conflict, we represent developers, investors, lenders, and property owners in resolving complex real estate and land use disputes.

• Defended developers and landowners in CEQA litigation and challenges to agency development approvals involving large-scale residential and mixed-use projects.
• Represented clients in high-stakes partnership and joint venture disputes involving control and ownership of real estate portfolios exceeding $100 million in value.
• Served as lead trial counsel in litigation concerning a $9 billion mixed-use real estate development project involving hundreds of millions of dollars in contractor mechanics lien claims.
• Represented landlords and tenants in complex commercial lease disputes, including anchor tenant and long-term ground lease matters.
• Prosecuted and defended construction delay and defect claims arising from high-rise residential and hospitality developments in California.

When should we involve a real estate attorney in a transaction?

Ideally, at the earliest stages of a proposed acquisition, development, or financing. Early involvement allows us to identify entitlement risks, title or survey issues, capital structure considerations, and contractual provisions that can materially affect timing, cost, and exit flexibility. Waiting until documentation is finalized can limit strategic options.

What role do attorneys play in a real estate development project?

Real estate attorneys help structure and document acquisitions, negotiate development and joint venture agreements, coordinate financing, manage entitlement and regulatory strategy, and allocate risk among stakeholders. We also work alongside land use consultants, engineers, lenders, brokers, and contractors to ensure the legal framework supports the business plan.

Do you represent both developers and lenders?

Yes. We represent developers, institutional investors, lenders, and operators. That dual perspective allows us to anticipate issues that arise on both sides of a transaction and structure agreements that are commercially workable and defensible.

How do you help manage entitlement and regulatory risk in California?

California projects often involve CEQA compliance, development agreements, public agency negotiations, and infrastructure coordination. We help clients evaluate regulatory exposure early, structure agreements that address approval contingencies, and defend projects when approvals are challenged.

What is your role in joint ventures and equity investments?

We assist sponsors and investors in structuring joint venture entities, negotiating governance and capital contribution terms, and aligning economic incentives. Our work supports acquisition, development, recapitalization, and exit strategies. For more detail on this area, please see our Real Estate Equity Investments and Joint Ventures page.

How do you staff real estate matters?

We staff matters deliberately to align experience and cost with the client’s objectives. Senior attorneys remain actively involved in strategy and negotiation, while day-to-day execution is handled efficiently by the appropriate team members. Our goal is to deliver disciplined structuring and practical problem-solving without unnecessary layers.

Do you handle disputes if a project or transaction encounters conflict?

Yes. Our team includes litigators experienced in real estate, land use, construction, and partnership disputes. We aim to resolve conflicts efficiently, but we are prepared to litigate when necessary to protect development rights, capital investments, and long-term asset value.

What types of real estate assets do you work with?

We advise clients across multifamily, mixed-use, hospitality, industrial, office, life sciences, retail, affordable housing, and master-planned communities. Our experience spans single-asset transactions as well as large, multi-state portfolios.

Can you assist with both transactional work and ongoing asset operations?

Yes. In addition to acquisitions and development, we advise on leasing, property management agreements, hospitality management arrangements, financing modifications, and ongoing governance matters for joint ventures and investment vehicles.