TOP REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT LAWYERS 2025
De Felice
200 years, working with the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy. The transaction marked the first land return to the Tongva people since the California mission system ended. The following year, Morse represented the Acjachemen Tongva Land Conservancy pro bono in Orange County’s first Indigenous land return, involving sacred Bolsa largest shopping center companies in the United States, selected through a competitive process that required careful balance between providing necessary comments and avoiding excessive revisions that could jeopardize selection. Friedman observes significant required attorneys to develop new approaches to transaction structures. Robinson’s practice reflects broader trends in commercial real estate, where traditional transaction models are being adapted to address current The legal profession itself faces adaptation challenges as market pressures intensify. Sanford sees technology integration and talent development as key factors for successful real estate practices moving forward. “The most successful real estate teams will figure out how to harness the efficiencies of AI while simultaneously investing in training their young talent,” she said. Recent market conditions have complicated development efforts further. De Felice points to the January 2025 wildfires as a significant factor disrupting housing forecasts in the Los Angeles area. The fires displaced communities and damaged infrastructure, intensifying pressure on an already constrained housing supply. The industrial market shows low guidance on equity transactions and joint ventures. Later, Steve Finn offered management lessons that continue to influence Fischer’s leadership approach. “Whatever success I have had in my career can be attributed directly to those mentors,” Fischer acknowledged. The evolution of real estate development has shifted toward mixed-use projects that combine
Chica Mesa. The complex transaction required resolving existing Coastal Commission violations from unpermitted development on the property. “It was an incredible moment when the transaction closed!” Morse said of the first land return deal. Morse emphasizes adaptability in real estate practice, noting that changes in legal practice driven by firm consolidation, generational shifts, and technology. “The practice is evolving dramatically due to the continuing trend of law firm consolidation, generational shifts, and technology — particularly AI,” he said. together retail space, multi-family housing, office space, and open space/parks — creating separate, small communities within a small geographic area so that people can work, live, eat and shop without vacancy rates with higher rents compared to the previous year, though trade uncertainties could affect port volumes and increase vacancies. Office demand continues declining due to remote work adoption, with vacancy rates expected to exceed 14%. De Felice has observed demographic shifts away from urban centers including San Francisco, Oakland and residential, commercial and recreational elements within concentrated areas. Fischer observes that “more and more projects are being developed as mixed used developments — bringing market realities. The attorney’s work spans multiple property sectors and geographic markets, providing insight into how different regions and property types are responding to economic pressures.
successful projects require teams that can pivot when circumstances change. He cites an example where a public project lost community support mid-development, forcing the team to identify a new location and adjust all project documents while maintaining critical funding deadlines. The profession has become less personal over time. “Early in my career, meeting in person was the standard — it was considered the ritual start to what both hoped would be a successful relationship,” Friedman said. Many clients now avoid face-to-face meetings entirely, even at closings, he continued. wandering far from their home or office.” As both projects move from acquisition and entitlement phases into construction, Fischer continues to guide clients through the horizontal development and vertical construction phases that will ultimately deliver billions of dollars in new community infrastructure across California and Colorado. Los Angeles. These trends contribute to ongoing housing challenges across the state. “California still remains behind national statistics for the housing market, and when combined with other market forces, the housing supply shortfall will continue,” De Felice said.
“Even worthwhile projects such as housing often face challenges to site selection by Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY) opponents,” De Felice. “These delay hurdles can be overcome with help from strong, supportive agency staff to overcome the project objections.”
Fischer
for everyone involved,” he said. Fischer credits his success to mentors who shaped his understanding of real estate finance and transaction management. Early in his career, partners Lou Eatman, Maribeth Borthwick, Frank Feder and Joe Heffernan taught him lender-side financing, while Bob Eller provided
Friedman
The second deal faced complications when an anchor tenant filed for bankruptcy shortly before closing, requiring quick renegotiation of the purchase agreement. The third transaction involved one of the
Morse
Morse has also handled groundbreaking work in indigenous land rights, representing two Southern California Native American land conservancies. In 2023, he facilitated the first private land return to a Native American community in the Los Angeles area in nearly
Robinson
“It’s an interesting time to be a real estate lawyer!” Robinson said.
lending constraints. The combination of financing challenges, insurance issues and distressed properties has
Sanford
Waggener
devoted to industrial uses and their redevelopment tends to be hotly contested by many interest groups.”
in protecting against downside risks. “With interest rate pressure and values in flux, it is harder to make money on real estate deals than it has been in over a decade,” Sanford said. This dynamic has heightened client expectations for efficiency without compromising quality, she added.
uses are escalating across California and in larger urban centers in other states,” she said. “This is particularly prominent in the intersection of California’s need to build affordable housing. Affordable projects are often sited on ‘brownfield’ lands such as lands previously
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