Real Estate and Land Use Firm Joins Sedgwick

As of Jan. 1, 2010, four attorneys will join as partners, two as special counsel and one as an associate. "The addition of the Cassidy Shimko attorneys will dramatically increase Sedgwick's ability to handle real estate and land use litigation, and transactional work," says Sedgwick's commercial division chair Steven Roland. "The creation of Sedgwick's now state-wide land use practice will also provide a bridge between the existing real estate, environmental and construction practices of the firm."

Partner Stephen Cassidy's practice focuses on real estate and land use law, including development, finance, transactions and leasing, entity formation, and environmental law. Cassidy is closely involved with both the legal and real estate business communities having served in a variety of leadership roles with the California State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Partner Anna Shimko focuses her practice on all areas of land use and environmental law, representing both public agencies and private landowners and developers in administrative and court proceedings. Shimko also has particular expertise in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

This third partner to join Sedgwick, Paul Kawakami, focuses his practice on a wide range of real estate transactional and business matters. He specializes in the acquisition, development, sale and exchange of real estate; retail, office and industrial leasing; real estate financing and secured transactions; loan modifications, workouts and restructurings; and the formation of joint ventures and LLCs. He represents developers, investors, institutional lenders, end-users, and educational institutions.

Matthew Francois, the fourth partner to join Sedgwick, focuses his practice on all aspects of land use and environmental law. He represents public agencies, private land owners and developers in the land use administrative approval process; frequently advises on compliance with CEQA; and litigates land use and CEQA matters.

Deirdre Dawson has joined Sedgwick as special counsel. Her practice focuses on all aspects of real estate transactions, including purchase and sale agreements, leasing, construction documentation, development agreements, real estate finance, land use and environmental law.

Deborah Kartiganer, who also joined as special counsel, focuses her practice on development and entitlements work, and land use law. Her clients include large corporations, retailers, startup companies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals. She handles matters involving the land use administrative approval process; development of retail, housing, and office projects; public and private partnerships; land use litigation; redevelopment law; compliance with CEQA, the Subdivision Map Act, and the Coastal Act; and property acquisition and sales.

Luen Lam has joined Sedgwick as an associate. He focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactions, including leasing, purchase and sale, and finance. Lam represents landlords and tenants in the drafting, negotiation and enforcement of office and retail leases, buyers and sellers in the acquisition, disposition and development of commercial real property, and borrowers and lenders in the financing of real property.