SAN FRANCISCO—As the commercial real estate industry becomes more complex and difficult to navigate, developers, tenants and contractors often face legal challenges along the way. Whether it is assembling smaller parcels for a larger project, creating contracts to build complicated developments or negotiating knotty leases for tenants to occupy multi-use endeavors, legal counsel is often part of the equation.

To better navigate this constantly shifting landscape, Allen Matkins has elected Jeffrey Patterson as its new managing partner and promoted Paul Nash, Ariel Shaeps and Elizabeth Wilgenburg to partners, all effective July 1, 2019. Patterson's goal as new managing partner is to prepare Allen Matkins for the future of real estate law.

“As the firm transitions from the founders' generation into the next generation, we're refilling from our middle ranks with really talented attorneys, who I am confident are going to drive our success into the future,” Patterson tells GlobeSt.com. “Clients always want better, faster, more predictable services from their lawyers and we will work to innovate to try to deliver that to them.”

Allen Matkins' recent work involves creating leases for tenants to occupy buildings before approval or construction which creates challenges on both sides of the deal. Many issues must be laid out in contracts to prevent future conflicts, including when tenants will occupy, what the future rent will be and how it will be calculated, and how the agreement can be terminated and with what consequences.

“Paul, Ari and Liz are prime examples of how our firm provides the necessary resources to younger attorneys eager to expand their expertise and enhance their client service,” says David L. Osias, current managing partner of Allen Matkins. “All three of them have served as lead counsel on some of California's most notable real estate projects, so their elevation to partnership is well deserved.”

Allen Matkins specializes in real estate, litigation, labor, tax and business law, with more than 200 attorneys in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and San Diego. The firm was founded in 1977 by Fred Allen, Michael Matkins, Brian Leck, John Gamble and Richard Mallory.

Instant Insights /

Evolving Industry Often Requires Legal Navigation

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