TOP REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT LAWYERS 2025
EDGAR KHALATIAN MAYER BROWN LOS ANGELES E dgar Khalatian leads Mayer Brown’s land use practice group, where he guides investors and developers through the complex maze of real estate entitlement and development processes. His work focuses on securing land use approvals for projects that reshape Los Angeles’ urban fabric. Khalatian’s practice encompasses the full spectrum of real estate entitlement work, with particular focus on California Environmental Quality Act compliance. His clients include institutional investors and developers working on projects that require navigation through multiple layers of municipal, county and state approval processes. Khalatian’s career has been defined by his involvement in transformative development projects across the city. He currently represents the owner of the largest urban oil field in the United States, working to shut down oil operations and redevelop the property with housing and job-producing uses. The project represents a significant shift from industrial to residential use in an urban core. Another major project under his guidance involves the LA Cold Storage building near Downtown Los Angeles. The proposed development spans 2 million square feet with a $2 billion price tag, including more than 1,000 housing units, office space and commercial uses. Gov. Gavin Newsom has certified the project as an Environmental Leadership Development Project (ELDP), recognizing its environmental standards. “I was drawn to this niche area because I enjoy helping my clients build buildings and change the city’s skyline -- I love the tangible end result,” Khalatian said. His expertise extends beyond private practice into public service. The director of the Los Angeles Department of City Planning appointed him to serve as co-chair of the Los Angeles Zoning Advisory Committee. In this role, he helped complete a comprehensive revision of the city of Los Angeles’ Zoning Code, one of the city’s largest planning initiatives to date. The revision process required navigating competing interests from various stakeholders while modernizing regulations that had become outdated for contemporary development needs. Khalatian’s approach involves systematic problem-solving when facing regulatory hurdles. “Every land use entitlement matter has significant
ANDREW T. KIRSH SKLAR KIRSH LLP LOS ANGELES A ndrew Kirsh has built his practice around some of the most complex real estate transactions in major metropolitan markets. He recently closed on two significant acquisitions that highlight the intricate nature of modern commercial real estate deals. The first transaction involved a $309 million mixed- use apartment and retail complex across from Petco Park in San Diego, home of the Padres. Kirsh handled the purchase agreement negotiations, extensive due diligence involving multiple retail leases, and equity structuring for the high-profile property. His second major deal centered on the Aon Center office building in downtown Los Angeles. This transaction required structuring as a loan acquisition with a concurrent deed in lieu, as the previous owner was in default. Kirsh negotiated the loan sale agreement, arranged new financing with an existing mezzanine lender and assembled syndication documents. “This transaction was significant for the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles,” Kirsh said of the Aon Center deal. The attorney’s approach to complex transactions stems from lessons learned early in his career. His mentor, former Goodwin Procter partner Lew Feldman, shaped his understanding of legal practice as business development. “Lew taught me how the law is a business and in order to succeed in business you have to be able to effectively market yourself,” Kirsh said. “Lew showed me the most valuable currency we have as lawyers is our network and being able to tap into that network to help our clients is significant value add.” Kirsh’s practice focuses heavily on connecting capital providers with real estate purchasers. “Capital is the life blood of the real estate business so being able to introduce to my clients who provide capital to those who use capital to purchase real estate gives me tremendous satisfaction,” he said. Managing multiple parties presents ongoing challenges in large transactions. “The biggest obstacle on all my deals is coordinating among so many parties and counsel,” Kirsh noted. “On any typical deal, you have a seller, buyer, equity, senior lender, mezz Lender, tenants, among other parties and each has counsel.”
BRAD B. KUHN NOSSAMAN LLP IRVINE B rad Kuhn has built his legal career around the intersection of property rights and public infrastructure. “I primarily specialize in eminent domain, inverse condemnation and land use associated with large infrastructure projects,” he said. His work spans from billion-dollar transit systems to complex water rights negotiations, positioning him at the center of disputes that determine how communities grow and adapt. “I enjoy being part of a team delivering important infrastructure projects that improve the communities in which we live and impact quality of life,” Kuhn said, emphasizing the broader public purpose behind complex property negotiations. Kuhn’s recent portfolio demonstrates the scope of California’s infrastructure challenges. He led the legal team for San Diego Association of Governments’ Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project, a more than $2 billion passenger rail initiative that has transformed regional transportation. The project now serves students and medical facilities with high ridership numbers, validating the complex legal groundwork Kuhn helped establish. In Oakland, Kuhn advises the city on the disposition of the 110-plus acre Coliseum Complex, the former home of three major sports franchises. The transaction involves intricate property valuations and development planning that will reshape the city’s future economic landscape. Water rights represent another critical area of Kuhn’s practice. He guides the Sites Project Authority on real estate issues for the Sites Reservoir Project, designed to capture storm water for use during drought periods. His work on water acquisition cases includes representing Crystal Geyser in a water rights condemnation case that drew national attention. Kuhn’s expertise extends to commercial property disputes. His representation of 24 Hour Fitness in an eminent domain case resulted in a $23 million settlement when a gym was taken for school construction. The complex negotiation included business goodwill, equipment values, and relocation costs while allowing the business to operate during transition. “Each matter faces its own obstacles and complexities. I enjoy providing strategic advice to clients and being a trusted advisor on how to
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PAGE 12 | DAILY JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT | JUNE 18, 2025
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