Coblentz real estate partner Danna Kozerski has been elected as a member of the Golden Gate Chapter of Lambda Alpha International, an honorary land economics society. Membership in the society is a “Who’s Who in Land Economics,” as members have distinguished themselves in the many disciplines and activities related to the use and re-use of land.

Danna 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.

San Francisco (November 30, 2021) – Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP welcomes Michael Maher to the partnership. Michael joins Coblentz from Pacific Union Co., where he served as General Counsel.

“We are delighted to welcome Michael to Coblentz. Michael has great experience in numerous winery and vineyard acquisitions as well as experience acting as general counsel to owner-operated businesses. He will be a tremendous asset to our clients and his practice is a perfect complement to our real estate, corporate, and wine industry practices,” said Sara Finigan, co-managing partner at Coblentz.

Michael has a broad practice focusing on business and real estate matters, with significant experience in the agriculture, wine, hospitality, and commercial real estate industries. Michael worked for more than a decade as in-house general counsel in the wine industry. He served for four years as General Counsel for the Harlan family’s Pacific Union Co., representing their various wine, hospitality, and commercial real estate interests. Michael also served for over six years as General Counsel for Jackson Family Wines.

“I’m thrilled to join Coblentz. I was attracted to the firm by its people, its collaborative work ethic, its strong values, and the depth and breadth of its practice. Joining the firm will allow me to continue to work with clients in the industries I have long served, while my clients will benefit greatly from having access to the innovative and talented team at Coblentz,” Maher said.

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® ranked Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP among its list of 2022 “Best Law Firms,” including a National Tier 1 recognition for Land Use & Zoning Law and National tier rankings in nine additional practice areas. The firm was also named a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” in 13 practice areas in the San Francisco Metropolitan market, with 20 San Francisco Metropolitan rankings overall.

Thirty Coblentz attorneys are also recognized in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America_®. Employment partner Fred Alvarez is recognized as the Best Lawyers® 2022 Labor Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in San Francisco.

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” recognizes firms for their professional excellence and consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes clients’ and peers’ evaluation of firms based on expertise, responsiveness, understanding of a business and its needs, cost-effectiveness, civility, and whether they would refer another client to the firm.

 

Coblentz is proud to partner with Diversity Lab to pursue certification under the Midsize Mansfield Rule, with the goal of increasing the representation of diverse lawyers in leadership positions.

The Midsize Mansfield Rule certification process, modeled after the version for larger firms, has been fine-tuned to boost diversity in leadership for firms with smaller lawyer populations, single office locations, and leaner firm leadership structures. Coblentz has joined the second iteration of this process, which runs from September 2021 to March 2023.

The Midsize Mansfield Rule aims to increase the representation of diverse lawyers in leadership by broadening the pool of women, LGBTQ+ lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, and/or racial/ethnic minority lawyers who are considered for entry-level and lateral attorney job openings, leadership opportunities, equity partner promotions, and opportunities to connect with clients. In order to be Mansfield Certified, law firms are asked to consider at least 30% historically underrepresented lawyers for 60% or more of certain leadership roles and activities identified on the Diversity Lab website.

Thirty Coblentz lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022.

Fred Alvarez was named 2022 Labor Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in San Francisco.

Coblentz Employment partner Fred Alvarez was awarded a “Lawyer of the Year” recognition by Best Lawyers in America® for the third consecutive time. In its annual listing of the nation’s top legal talent, Best Lawyers® named Fred the 2022 Labor Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in San Francisco. As one of the preeminent employment lawyers in the United States, Fred has previously been named San Francisco “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – Labor and Employment in 2021 and in Labor Law – Management in 2020. Fred’s practice combines a distinct blend of employment law experience, public service, and legal profession leadership with strategic and compliance advice to employers.

Congratulations to Fred and to all 30 Coblentz attorneys listed in the 2022 Best Lawyers in America® guide, including 10 attorneys recognized as Ones to Watch. Categories of recognition are listed below.

2022 Best Lawyers® Recognitions

• Fred Alvarez: Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• 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
• Jeff Knowles: Commercial Litigation
• Danna Kozerski: Real Estate Law
• Stephen Lanctot: Employment Law – Management
• Jaime Mannon: Trusts and Estates 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: Appellate Practice, Litigation – Antitrust
• Doug Sands: Real Estate Law
• Lawrence Siskind: Litigation – Intellectual Property
• Tay Via: Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Real Estate Law

2022 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Recognitions

• Kiana Araghi: Real Estate Law
• Kadeidra Honey: Trusts and Estates Law
• Dana Kennedy: Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
• Tamara Lam-Plattes: Real Estate Law
• Seth Pardee: Tax Law
• Ben Pulliam: Commercial Litigation
• Kyle Recker: Real Estate Law
• Joy Spezeski: Real Estate Law
• Matthew Stone: Real Estate Law
• Christopher Wiener: Litigation – Intellectual Property

Best Lawyers® lists are based entirely on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. The 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® is based on more than 10 million evaluations and recognizes just over 66,000 attorneys, the top six percent of private practicing attorneys in the US.

Coblentz family wealth associate Laura Srebro has joined the Board of Directors of Hands Across The Valley, a non-profit organization that raises money specifically for the safety net food programs in Napa County – including The Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and other vital programs that service those in need from American Canyon to Calistoga. Hands Across the Valley, guided by its Board of Directors, is committed to working toward the goal of a community without hunger.

Laura focuses on estate planning and trust administration and guides families and individuals through the complete estate planning process, advising on the best estate and gift tax, income tax, and property tax planning strategies. She is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Hands Across The Valley, Laura is a Board Member of Napa Valley Support Services and a member of the Stewardship Committee of the Napa Valley Community Foundation. She is also an active member and past President of the Napa County Women Lawyers.

 

Coblentz Family Wealth practice and four partners are recognized in the 2021 Chambers HNW (High Net Worth) Guide in the Private Wealth Law category for Northern California. Chambers HNW, published by Chambers & Partners, ranks the top legal advisers to high net worth individuals and organizations. Practice chair Jim Mitchell and partners Phil Feldman and Jaime Mannon are again ranked as Leading Lawyers, and partner Mitchell Edwards is listed among only four Up & Coming attorneys in the category.

Jim Mitchell is again ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2. Jim advises high net worth clients on tax planning and trust and estate administration. One source noted he “is very experienced and expert in the area of estates and trusts,” adding that, “much more important to me is that he cares and is deeply personally involved. Jim is thoughtful and has the ability to put himself in his clients’ shoes.”

Phil Feldman is again ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2. Phil assists wealthy individuals and families with income, philanthropic, and gift and estate tax planning, with Chambers noting that he is also “praised for his handling of complex inter-generational succession planning.” One source commented that “Phil’s approach is detail-oriented and very current. With over 30 years of experience, he brings a lot of knowledge on how other families have handled similar situations.” Another source noted, “Phil is an excellent attorney, and an even better human being.”

Jaime Mannon is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2. Jaime offers affluent individuals and families assistance with estate and gift tax planning and cross-border tax planning. According to one source, she “is everything you want in a lawyer for estate planning purposes.” Another commented, “Jaime’s strength is her focus; if there is a particularly complex document that needs to be drafted, she disappears into her work and her focus is incredible.” Another interviewee noted,  “She is really honest and a straight shooter, so I appreciate her candor. She is not in any way arrogant or non-transparent.”

Mitch Edwards is listed in the Chambers HNW Up & Coming category. Mitch assists high net worth clients with estate planning, administration matters, and litigation. An industry adviser commented, “He is able to digest complex planning situations quickly. Many of the clients that I refer to him require highly sophisticated [trust and estate] solutions, and Mitch has always stepped up to the plate and delivered. He has a strong ability to listen to a family’s specific needs and deliver tailored solutions rather than standard, out-of-the-box recommendations. He communicates in a calm and reassuring way, and gives clients confidence and trust in his work.”

The Coblentz Family Wealth practice is also listed by Chambers HNW in Band 2 for Private Wealth Law, Northern California. One client commented, “They are expert and offer both practical and legal advice. They stay current and reach out with new developments in the law that will affect us. I think they are very good.” Another noted that “one of their strengths is that they have specialists in the firm that can handle various different types of problems and situations that come up.” A wealth expert added, “If you go to an attorney there, assume they are smart and technically perfect. I cannot function without them in my life. Their strengths are they surround and support you and come with their best game.”

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

Additional Chambers USA Rankings

Six additional Coblentz partners and three practices are recognized in the Chambers USA 2021 Guide, also published by Chambers & Partners. Real Estate and Land Use partners Pamela Duffy, Harry O’Brien, and Alan Gennis; Litigation partners Timothy Crudo and Rees Morgan; and Employment partner Fred Alvarez are ranked as Leading Lawyers in their respective categories. Coblentz’s Land Use, Real Estate, and White Collar Defense and Government Investigations practices are also listed. You can read more about our Chambers USA rankings here.

The Legal 500 United States has named Coblentz a “Top Tier” firm in the Real Estate – Land Use/Zoning category, with a National Tier 1 ranking.

Of our real estate and land use practice, one client notes “The team has deep knowledge and experience in not only legal but also political issues in land use matters,” and another adds the team is “Very well connected to local and regional regulatory agencies.”

Real estate and land use partners Pamela Duffy and Frank Petrilli received individual recognition in the 2021 guide. Pamela Duffy has been named to the “Hall of Fame” list, which honors lawyers who have received constant praise from their clients for continued excellence and who are at the pinnacle of the profession. Frank Petrilli has been recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in the nationwide Land Use/Zoning category.

The Legal 500 Series provides worldwide coverage on legal services providers in more than 150 jurisdictions and highlights the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. Rankings are based on a series of criteria, including research based on feedback from more than 300,000 clients worldwide.

Six Coblentz partners and three practices have been recognized by Chambers & Partners in the Chambers USA 2021 Guide, adding newly recognized litigation partner Rees Morgan and Coblentz’s Northern California real estate practice to the list. Real estate and land use partners Pamela Duffy and Harry O’Brien are listed as leading lawyers in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – California category, real estate partner Alan Gennis is listed as leading lawyers in the Real Estate – Northern California category, litigation partners Timothy Crudo and Rees Morgan are listed in the Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – California category, and Employment partner Fred Alvarez is listed in the Labor & Employment – California category.

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, client service, commercial vision and business understanding, diligence, depth of the team, value for money, and other qualities most valued by legal clients.

Real Estate & Land Use

Coblentz’s real estate and land use practice is again ranked by Chambers USA 2021 Guide in the top tier, Band 1, in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use category for California. Our land use practice has been continuously ranked by Chambers for many years and is now joined by the real estate practice, ranked by Chambers USA 2021 Guide in Band 3 in the Real Estate category for Northern California. Of our real estate and land use practices, one client notes “They are incredibly knowledgeable and detailed on the specifics,” and another added, “They are attentive and provide practical advice.” Three real estate and land use partners continued to receive individual rankings.

Pamela Duffy is again ranked as a Leading Lawyer in the top tier, Band 1, in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – California category. Clients quoted by Chambers noted that “Pam is a fantastic practitioner,” and, “She is incredibly prominent.” Pam has been recognized by Chambers since 2003.

Harry O’Brien is also again ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 3 in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – California category. When interviewed about Harry, one client remarked, “Harry is smart, articulate and knows the city very well – he has a long and deep experience of projects in San Francisco and is a great resource.” Harry has been recognized by Chambers since 2003.

Alan Gennis is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 3, in the Real Estate – Northern California category. Clients remarked that “Alan is really knowledgeable, creative and very solution-oriented,” and “He is thoughtful, thorough and well-reasoned and has a really nice bedside manner with clients.” Alan has been recognized by Chambers since 2018.

Litigation

Coblentz’s white collar defense and investigations practice is newly ranked by Chambers USA 2021 Guide in Band 4 in the Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations category for California. Chambers notes that the practice is a “robust white-collar criminal defense group with strong credentials in defending SEC and DOJ investigations and enforcement actions.” Two litigation partners also received individual rankings in the category.

Timothy Crudo increased in rankings as a Leading Lawyer in Band 3 in the Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations category for California. A client noted, “He is a master of facts and a brilliant storyteller for his clients.” Tim has been recognized by Chambers since 2016.

Rees Morgan is newly ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 5 in the Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations category for California. Of Rees, one client noted he “is thorough and excellent at describing legal maneuvers and consequences in easy-to-understand terms,” and another mentioned, “He is highly intelligent, deeply analytical and has a real sense of what a case is worth.”

Employment

Employment partner Fred Alvarez is recognized as a Senior Statesperson in California in the Labor & Employment category. One client raved that Fred “is a fantastic lawyer. He is highly intelligent and strategically precise and has amazing insights.” Another noted, “He is very smart and pleasant to work with.”

To view the complete list of Coblentz rankings in Chambers USA 2021, please visit the publication’s website.

Additional Chambers Rankings: High Net Worth Guide

Coblentz Family Wealth practice and four Family Wealth partners, James Mitchell, Philip Feldman, Jaime Mannon, and Mitchell Edwards, are ranked in the Private Wealth Law category of the Chambers HNW (High Net Worth) guide for Northern California. Chambers HNW, also published by Chambers & Partners, ranks the top lawyers and law firms for international private wealth. When asked about the Coblentz Family Wealth practice, one source commented, “Besides knowing their subject matter well, they all have tremendous people skills from the litigation attorneys down to the legal secretaries and paralegals. Another strength is that they try and resolve an issue in a fair and sensible fashion. They seem to have respect for the other side, which in my opinion has helped solve matters sooner rather than later. As a whole, I find that everyone I have worked with has had very good mediation skills.” You can read more about our Chambers HNW rankings here.

Coblentz real estate and land use associate Ashley Weinstein-Carnes has been named as a Connect Media 2021 Next Generation Award winner for the California region. Connect Media’s annual Next Generation Awards recognize young leaders who are poised to continue to be influential in the commercial real estate industry — because of their talent, drive, and fresh ideas. The winners were chosen from nearly 500 nominations from all sectors of the commercial real estate industry, ranging from brokerage to development to real estate law and finance.

Ashley is active in the commercial real estate community and is passionate about engaging her fellow younger generation of leaders. She is a member of several local CRE organizations and holds leadership positions with the Urban Land Institute and UC Berkeley’s Real Estate Alumni Association. Ashley is part of the next generation of land use and real estate attorneys guiding high-profile, complex developments in California. Her land use practice focuses on local administrative permitting, and she has successfully obtained land use approvals for large-scale projects, including mixed-use and multifamily residential developments, corporate R&D and office campuses, and industrial facilities. She also advises institutional investors, lenders, developers, landowners, and lessees and lessors with regard to existing land use restrictions and agreements, as well as strategies and requirements for the re-entitlement of property.