Congratulations to the Exploratorium and its new home at Piers 15-17 for being named a finalist for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) 2014 Global Awards for Excellence, widely recognized as the land use industry’s most prestigious recognition program. The Exploratorium was selected as one of 23 outstanding development projects from around the globe. From this select group, a jury representing the many fields of real estate development expertise will choose a group of winners that will be announced in October at ULI’s 2014 Fall Meeting in New York City.

“The 2014 Global Awards for Excellence finalists demonstrate high-quality, innovative land use and building design. In addition, many involve historic preservation, public-private partnerships, environmental sustainability, and creative financing,” said jury chair M. Leanne Lachman, president of real estate consulting firm Lachman Associates in New York, N.Y. “This group of diverse projects is a timely reminder of how thoughtful design plays a central role in community health and longevity.”

Congratulations to the Exploratorium and all of the finalists.

Read more about the Exploratorium here.

Coblentz is pleased to announce Maggie Callicrate has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Maggie will lead the firm’s business operations and will work closely with the firm’s Managing Partners on strategic growth initiatives. She will also work closely with the firm’s functional area managers on business practices and systems integral to the legal services provided by the firm.

Maggie brings substantive skills in leadership development, strategy execution and management of functional area teams including finance, marketing and business development, technology, human resources, facilities and information systems. She has more than 25 years of experience in working with law firms to improve operational effectiveness, build teamwork and advance strategic growth.

“The firm couldn’t be more delighted to have Maggie joining the management team,” says Co-Managing Partner, Jeff Knowles. “She brings a wealth of experience and the demonstrated ability to apply it. She is also the kind of person who both inspires confidence and is a pleasure to be around. Professionally and personally, Maggie is a perfect fit.”

Prior to joining Coblentz, Maggie was the COO of New England-based Pierce Atwood LLP. She was also previously a partner in a global consulting firm, advising law firm clients on strategic, competitive and leadership issues; and served as the Chief Executive of a leading law firm in New Zealand. Maggie is currently President-Elect of the College of Law Practice Management.

Read the press realease here.

Coblentz partner Tim Crudo has been selected as the Governance and Insider Trading Expert for emtrain, a leader in corporate compliance education and training. As a resident expert for emtrain, “Tim regularly advises corporate boards and executives on topics such as: insider trading, securities violations, accounting fraud, and other corporate crimes.”

Read Tim’s emtrain profile here.

Coblentz has been selected as one of 20 firms named on the National Law Journal’s 2014 Midsize Hot List. According to the NLJ, the exclusive list from across the country highlights firms that “are succeeding at a time when many of their bigger competitors are struggling amid high headcounts and overhead. These midsize firms, ranging from 51 to 150 lawyers, know they can beat the bigger players on price — but they understand that it takes more than lower fees to bring in and retain business. They’ve got to offer great lawyering.”

In its profile of Coblentz, the National Law Journal makes note of the firm’s “forward-thinking approach,” with focus on diversity, community and top talent. As managing partner Danna Kozerski told the National Law Journal, “The way we retain and promote young attorneys is with a collaborative and interesting practice.”

The article notes that 40 percent of Coblentz’s partners and 50 percent of the firm’s associates are women, and highlights the firm’s attorneys as pro bono and volunteer champions, including mention of Coblentz’s 2013 Outstanding Law Firm in Public Service Award from the San Francisco Bar Association’s Justice and Diversity Center.