• Pacific Council GTMO Special Report: A Matter of Time

    Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP partner Paul Tauber is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy Guantánamo Bay (GTMO) Task Force. On September 11, 2018, the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, the Pacific Counsel’s GTMO Task Force released its second report, A Matter of Time, to renew the call for federal judges to preside over military trials at Guantánamo.

    The report builds on recommendations made in 2016, several of which were adopted in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018.

    Following up to the GTMO Task Force’s 2016 report, Up to Speed, the task force now calls for equipping judges with expanded powers to enforce deadlines, levy consequences, and propel these cases toward fair and final conclusions.

    Read the Task Force’s report here.

    In 2013, the Pacific Council was granted official NGO observer status at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) by the Office of Military Commissions, joining a group of organizations, including the American Bar Association and the New York City Bar Association, that have the privilege of sending a representative to observe proceedings at GTMO.

    Paul traveled to GTMO in February 2015 and again in 2016 as a civilian observer on behalf of the Pacific Council to observe a week of hearings in the matter of US v. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is the alleged mastermind of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and stands trial along with four others.

    Since 2013, 50 members of the nonpartisan Pacific Council have spent a collective 255 days at Camp Justice as observers of the Guantánamo proceedings.

    Paul’s GTMO assignment follows the lead of the late William (Bill) Coblentz, who was also appointed as an observer by the American Bar Association in 1989 when he traveled to Singapore on behalf of the ABA to observe the trials of four Singaporean lawyers accused of conspiring to undermine the government.

    Categories: News
  • Four Coblentz Partners Awarded Lawyers of the Year & 18 Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2019

    Four Coblentz Partners were awarded Lawyers of the Year and 18 were recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in its 2019 listing of the nation’s top legal talent.

    Jon Bass was named the Best Lawyers 2019 Litigation – Real Estate Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Alan Gennis was awarded Best Lawyers 2019 Real Estate Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Harry O’Brien was awarded Best Lawyers 2019 Land Use and Zoning Law “Lawyer of the Year,” and Tay Via was awarded Best Lawyers 2019 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning Law “Lawyer of the Year,” all in San Francisco.

    Congratulations to these Coblentz attorneys for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2019 guide in the following categories in San Francisco:

    • Jon Bass: Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Real Estate
    • Jeff Bernstein: Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
    • Tim Crudo: Criminal Defense: White-Collar
    • Pam Duffy: Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Real Estate Law
    • Phil Feldman: Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates Law
    • Gregg Ficks: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
    • Karen Frank: Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property
    • Alan Gennis: Real Estate Law
    • William Hutton: Tax Law
    • Jeff Knowles: Commercial Litigation
    • Danna Kozerski: Real Estate Law
    • Barbara Milanovich: Real Estate Law
    • Jim Mitchell: Trusts and Estates Law
    • Harry O’Brien: Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
    • Richard Patch: Litigation – Antitrust
    • Doug Sands: Real Estate Law
    • Bob Stein: Real Estate Law
    • Tay Via: Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning

    The Best Lawyers annual guide is based on peer review and feedback from tens of thousands of leading attorneys who confidentially evaluate their professional peers. For the 2019 Edition of Best Lawyers, 7.8 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in almost 60,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition.

     

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  • Coblentz Family Wealth Partners are Again Top-Ranked by Chambers High Net Worth 2018

    Coblentz Partners Philip Feldman, James Mitchell, and Jaime Mannon are listed as Leading Lawyers in the Private Wealth Law category of the 2018 Chambers HNW (High Net Worth) guide for Northern California, published by Chambers & Partners.

    Jim Mitchell is again ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2. One source was “impressed by his personal qualities and the depth of his knowledge. His advice is always helpful and he pays attention to the details.” Another client adds that ” Technically he’s perfect. Jim is an incredible listener. When he speaks he is spot-on, there is no waste of time. He’s honest, smart and a great listener.” A market insider notes that Jim “has been around and is at the top of his game. He is excellent; anyone in his care is in good hands.”

    Phil Feldman is again ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2, where one client or colleague interviewed note that Phil “exhibits an impressive combination of strong technical skills and strong interpersonal skills.” Another adds that he “has a great combination of strong technical knowledge and being able to relate well to many different types of clients and make a personal connection with them.”

    Jaime Mannon is listed as an Up and Coming Leading Lawyer by Chambers. Clients and colleagues love working with Jaime and noted that her “strengths are that she takes the time to understand complex matters, she is efficient and professional at all times. She is extremely reliable.” Another interviewee raves over her abilities, saying “She is young, she is dynamic and she is just brilliant. Her documents are chameleon-like – things can change in a family situation and the documents still stick. She’s young but has so much talent, she should lead the world.”

    The Coblentz Family Wealth practice is also listed by Chambers HNW in Band 2 for Private Wealth Law, Northern California. Chambers writes that the group “has deep experience advising wealthy families on a range of wealth transfer matters. The firm assists with estate and gift tax planning, the administration of trusts and estates, and business succession planning. It also handles litigation.” Colleagues and clients mention that “They are an excellent firm with wonderful lawyers. I have found the best representatives in Coblentz – I would be lost without them.” Another source adds “I think they are excellent, they’re good communicators and straightforward.”

    Independent and objective, Chambers USA and Chambers HNW are carefully researched and widely considered to be the most reputable law firm directories in the world. Ranking criteria include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by legal clients.

    Categories: News
  • Coblentz Adds Top Ranked Team of Land Use Lawyers

    David Gold, Miles Imwalle, and Megan Jennings join Coblentz’s Real Estate and Land Use Practice

    San Francisco (July 23, 2018) – San Francisco-based law firm Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP, long known for its premier real estate and land use practice, is delighted to announce that prominent attorneys David A. Gold, Miles H. Imwalle, and Megan A. Jennings have joined its partnership. The group joins Coblentz’s Real Estate and Land Use practice.

    The former Morrison & Foerster partners bring to the Coblentz firm their deep experience in the land use and CEQA side of the real estate practice, including commercial, mixed-use, medical center, renewable energy and residential development projects and have worked together on many of California’s highest profile projects. A few of the recent projects they have advised on include Apple’s new, approximately 3.4 million-square-foot campus in Cupertino; numerous utility-scale photovoltaic solar facilities for First Solar, EDF Renewables, Con Edison Development, and E.ON Renewables; the redevelopment of the 50 acre Vallco Mall in Cupertino, which is proposed to include a 30 acre publicly accessible green roof; the Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Railyards and Dublin medical centers; the public-private redevelopment of the 80-acre Oyster Point Marina area in South San Francisco; the San Ramon City Center for Sunset Development; and redevelopment of the Public Market in Emeryville.

    “I am thrilled that David, Miles, and Megan have joined Coblentz. The depth of our real estate and land use practice becomes unparalleled with their addition. Together we create a group of superior lawyers with an unmatched level of sophistication, experience, and success in complex land use and development projects,” said Pamela Duffy, name partner of Coblentz. “These are great lawyers and fabulous people who come to us from one of the country’s leading law firms and it is our honor to have them join us.”

    “From the perspective of clients confronting land use, CEQA and development challenges in California, this team’s resources, experience, and skills will be second to none,” said David Gold. “Miles, Megan and I are eager to join forces with a talented California focused firm which exemplifies a team-oriented, value-added approach as it counsels clients on their critical transactional and litigation matters.”

    David A. Gold has dedicated his land use, CEQA and development practice to assisting a wide range of institutional, technology, healthcare, development, public and renewable energy clients before government agencies and commissions throughout Northern California for more than 37 years. He has been recognized by Legal 500 USA, Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers, and holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. In 2011, the Daily Journal recognized Mr. Gold as one of the top 25 land-use attorneys in California. He received his J.D. from the University of Southern California and his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

    Miles H. Imwalle advises clients on the development of commercial, residential, mixed-use and renewable energy projects throughout California, and in the land use aspects of financing real estate acquisitions and developments, including zoning, land use, permitting and environmental matters. Mr. Imwalle has been recognized by Legal 500 USA and Super Lawyers. In 2012, The Recorder named Miles among its 50 “Fast Track” lawyers. He received his J.D. from New York University School of Law and his B.A. from Dartmouth College.

    Megan A. Jennings focuses her practice on land use and environmental permitting, transactional matters, and compliance. Ms. Jennings counsels project developers throughout the CEQA review and land use entitlement process. She has particular experience advising on complex development issues for renewable energy projects, hospitals, corporate campuses, and multifamily/mixed-use facilities. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Montana.

    Coblentz co-managing partner Danna Kozerski noted that Coblentz’s integrated real estate and land use services have always been one of the firm’s core practice areas and that having these excellent lawyers join the firm is part of a strategic plan to grow, broaden and deepen the firm’s ability to deliver great service to its clients.  “We have been the go-to firm for large-scale, complex development projects for decades and intend to be that firm for many years to come.”

    Coblentz’s Real Estate and Land Use Practice Group has guided some of the largest commercial and residential development projects and transactions in California. These projects vary from major sports arenas including the San Francisco Giants’ AT&T® Park, San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s® Stadium and the proposed LA Clippers’ arena in Inglewood to major neighborhood-transforming projects such as the $1 billion 5M Project (one of the largest mixed-use projects in San Francisco), Catellus Development Corporation’s 300-acre Mission Bay project, and the 152-acre Napa Pipe residential redevelopment project in Napa County. Also included among our notable representations are renowned cultural institutions such as the California Academy of Sciences and the Exploratorium, world-class health care campuses including Sutter Health/California Pacific Medical Center hospital rebuilding projects in San Francisco, and the largest land use and conservation project in California history at Tejon Ranch. The Coblentz real estate group is top ranked in Chambers USA and Legal 500 USA, and our attorneys and projects are continuously awarded by The Best Lawyers in America, The Daily Journal, and the San Francisco Business Times, among others.

    The firm’s Unfamiliar Terrain blog provides insights into the complex Bay Area land use landscape.

    About Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP
    Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP is a premier provider of innovative, results-oriented legal services, specializing in real estate, litigation, business, intellectual property, employment, tax and family wealth. Law360 named Coblentz a California Powerhouse firm in 2017. The National Law Journal named Coblentz to its nationwide Midsize Hot List four times. U.S. News & World Report recognizes Coblentz as one of the nation’s top law firms in the Best Law Firm list, with national rankings in 13 practice areas and six prestigious “Tier 1” rankings in the highly competitive San Francisco law firm category. For more information: www.coblentzlaw.com.

    Categories: News
  • Thomas Harvey and Katharine Van Dusen Recognized by Benchmark’s 40 & Under Hot List

    Coblentz litigation partners Thomas Harvey and Katharine Van Dusen were named to the Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hot List 2018. Lawyers on this list are “among the top young talent in their respective litigation communities” in the United States and Canada.

    Thomas Harvey is recognized for his litigation work in the Intellectual Property category. Thomas’s IP practice focuses on trademark, copyright, and unfair competition litigation, where he has represented companies in the technology, mobile, and entertainment industries. He is an active member of the International Trademark Association, serving on the Leadership Development Committee.

    Katharine Van Dusen is recognized in the General Commercial category. Katharine is an experienced litigator who focuses on complex business and commercial disputes in state and federal courts. She plays a significant role in litigation for several multi-national telecommunications and media companies, and a large part of her practice involves real estate and construction disputes, white collar matters, and complex commercial litigation.

    Categories: News
  • Timothy Crudo Ranked as a Leading White Collar Lawyer in 2018 Chambers USA Directory

    Coblentz litigation partner Timothy Crudo is again ranked as a Leading Lawyer, Band 4, in the California, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations category in the Chambers USA 2018 directory.  Tim has been recognized in the guide since 2016.

    One client noted to Chambers that “I was very happy to have had him represent me. He learned the details and lingo of my industry extremely quickly and was able to advise me in a manner that made me feel comfortable and secure.”

    Tim is a trial lawyer focusing on white collar defense and government enforcement, particularly investigations and cases brought by criminal prosecutors, government regulators, and shareholders in white collar, securities, and corporate governance matters.

    Independent and objective, Chambers USA is carefully researched and widely considered to be the most reputable law firm directory in the world. Ranking criteria include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by legal clients.

    The Coblentz real estate practice is also listed by Chambers USA in the top tier, Band 1, for California, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, and real estate partners Pamela Duffy, Harry O’Brien, and Alan Gennis are listed as Leading Lawyers in real estate categories.

    Categories: News
  • Coblentz Real Estate and Land Use Practice Maintains Top Ranking in 2018 Chambers USA Directory

    Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass maintains its Band 1 ranking, the highest attainable, for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (California) in the Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 directory.

    Known for its strong presence in the Bay Area and comprehensive real estate offering, clients commented on the Coblentz team’s strong zoning reputation and history as a real estate powerhouse, noting, “The firm is embedded in our community and has deep relationships with key stakeholders.” Another client said, “They are excellent lawyers, and down-to-earth, good people. They are my number one go-to firm for San Francisco real estate matters.”

    The widely-respected legal publication also recognized three individual Coblentz real estate and land use partners, Pamela Duffy, Harry O’Brien, and Alan Gennis.

    Pamela Duffy is again ranked as a Leading Lawyer in the top tier, Band 1, in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – California category. Pam is noted for her strength in zoning and land use matters and is particularly recommended for complex, high-value public and private company transactions. She has been recognized in the guide since 2003.

    Harry O’Brien is also again ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2 in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – California category. Clients describe Harry as “a remarkably smart and experienced real estate attorney.” He has been recognized in the guide since 2003.

    Alan Gennis is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 4, in the Real Estate – California category. He is described by clients as “a great example of a business person’s lawyer,” and “the quintessential adviser who always sees the big picture.”

    Independent and objective, Chambers USA is carefully researched and widely considered to be the most reputable law firm directory in the world. Ranking criteria include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by legal clients.

    Coblentz litigation partner Timothy Crudo is also recognized in the 2018 Chambers USA directory as a Leading Lawyer in the California, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations category.

    Categories: News
  • Justice & Diversity Center Honors Coblentz Attorneys as Outstanding Volunteers in Public Service

    Coblentz attorneys Duff Beach, Jeff Bernstein, Misti Schmidt, Howard Slavitt, Joy Spezeski, and Katharine Van Dusen were honored by the Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC) as 2017 Outstanding Volunteers. Each year at the annual volunteer appreciation celebration, JDC recognizes and thanks the top 15 percent of people who have made extraordinary contributions to the organization, including JDC’s Pro Bono Legal Services Program, Homeless Advocacy Project, Immigrant Legal Defense Program, and Diversity Educational Programs. Last year, over 2,000 volunteers assisted more than 9,000 low-income clients through legal representation, and related social services, in nearly every area of civil law.  Volunteers also provided over 700 students with counseling, coaching and mentoring in efforts to increase diversity in the legal profession.

    “JDC is thrilled to recognize all our guests who partnered with us to provide access to justice, and to a more diverse legal profession. We’re also deeply grateful and honored to have the Courts join us in expressing gratitude for public service”, said Gloria Chun, Director and Managing Attorney of JDC’s Pro Bono Legal Services Program.

    The JDC advances fairness and equality by providing pro bono legal services to low-income people and educational programs that foster diversity in the legal profession. JDC is the largest legal services providers in San Francisco. JDC’s programs serve approximately 9,500 disadvantaged San Franciscans a year, with the overarching goal of assisting the community’s most vulnerable members with accessing the judicial system and strengthening their personal, professional, and economic security.

    Categories: News
  • Sara Finigan Joins Danna Kozerski as Coblentz Co-Managing Partner

    Coblentz is pleased to announce that Sara Finigan has joined Danna Kozerski in serving as the firm’s Co-Managing Partners. Sara practices in the firm’s Corporate group and specializes in serving clients in the negotiation and funding of joint ventures for the development of real property. She also helps both corporate and individual clients develop and implement strategies to navigate complex business matters. She was previously chair of the firm’s Corporate practice group and was named a Top 100 Lawyer in California. In the community, Sara serves on the Board of Directors of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area.

    For over a decade, Danna has been working alongside Alan Gennis and Jeff Knowles as the firm’s three Co-Managing Partners. The Partnership is extremely grateful to Alan and Jeff for their remarkable years of service at the firm’s helm. Both Alan and Jeff continue their respective real estate and litigation practices.

    Danna Kozerski represents developers and companies in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions including financing, leasing, and acquisitions and dispositions of office buildings, museums, shopping centers, residential developments and mixed-use projects. She specializes in public/private partnerships and the formation of joint ventures. In addition to serving as a Co-Managing Partner for over a decade, Danna was previously chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice group. Danna is an elected member of the Policy Advisory Board for the University of California, Berkeley’s Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics, and an elected Fellow of The American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), the premier organization of U.S. real estate lawyers.

    Categories: News
  • Richard Patch Named Client Service All-Star for Second Year

    For the second consecutive year, Richard Patch was named among the best attorneys for client service by corporate counsel in BTI’s 2018 Client Service All-Star list.

    The annual list from BTI Consulting Group Inc. is based on direct feedback from more than 300 corporate counsel of large businesses and Fortune 1000 companies with $1 billion or more in revenue identifying attorneys who stand out for delivering superior client service. This is

    Richard’s second year named to the list, one of only 17 attorneys making repeat appearances on the BTI All-Star list from last year. Clients single out these MVPs for providing consistent service over time—proving themselves as the best at client service time and time again. The Client Service All-Stars excel in six common traits identified by corporate counsel and legal decision makers: having superior client focus; demonstrating an unmatched understanding of the client’s business; having exceptional legal skills; delivering efficient, value-added service; being innovative thought leaders; and a new driver—delivering superior client experience.

    As a senior trial and appellate lawyer, Richard Patch is widely regarded as one of the leading satellite, cable and telecommunications lawyers in the country. Richard was also recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star in 2014 and 2017, and Coblentz has been recognized in BTI’s Client Service A-Team for several consecutive years where corporate counsel continue to rank Coblentz in the top firms nationally for client service excellence.

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