Real Estate: Oregon

THE FIRM The real estate group at this full-service firm is highly respected for its depth and skills in a wide range of transactional and land use work. The group has traditionally been strong in developer-side matters, and has recently seen an increase in creditors' rights work. Clients include the City of Portland, Oregon Health and Science University and Trammell Crow Company.

Sources say: "Highly responsive, top-flight deal-makers with a passion for solving problems."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Janik is considered "an absolute superstar lawyer in both transactional and zoning work." Highlights include acting for the City of Portland in negotiating a PPP structure to renovate a 20,000-seat baseball stadium. Transactional lawyer Bradley Miller acted for developer Trammell Crow Company in a number of matters, including development of a 120-acre site near Portland Airport. He is praised for "crafting client responses in clear, concise and readily-comprehensible language." Barbara Radler "brings a refreshing commercial perspective to the table," and has a strong profile in lease negotiations. Her clients include Trammell Crow Company. The well-regarded Timothy Parks advises a regional gasoline distribution company on its associated real estate transactional work. Richard Allan focuses on zoning issues, and also has experience of related environmental issues. Of counsel Steven Hultberg is considered a go-to lawyer for all aspects of zoning and land use work.

THE FIRM This full-service Oregon-headquartered firm is held in high regard for its real estate practice. The group is particularly noted for its negotiation skills in transactional work, including planned and mixed-use developments and timeshares. It is also respected for its expertise in land use. 

Sources say: "Highly efficient attorneys who represent terrific value and who take personal responsibility for the work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Howard Feuerstein is recognized for his "great transactional abilities, especially in major condominium projects." His highlights include acting for Block 34 Investor on the disposal of a 212-unit residential high rise building. David Green advises clients such as Nicol Investment and Eddie Bauer on negotiating transactions and leases. He is respected for his "impressively practical and common-sense approach to brokering the best deal for clients." Thomas Page is "such an easy and pleasant lawyer to work with on a day to day basis in transactional matters, that I sometimes forget how senior and important he is!" says one client. Page's work includes being instructed by SpectraWatt in connection with a substantial premises acquisition in Hopewell Junction, New York. The "accurate, methodical and extremely pragmatic" Steven Abel focuses on real estate zoning and permitting work. He represents both public and private sector clients, and recently assisted the Riverdale School District with permitting work for two new elementary schools.

THE FIRM The real estate group at this national firm handles a wide range of commercial real estate and land use matters, including transactional, zoning and contentious real estate negotiations. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eugene Grant co-chairs the practice. Thomas Smith is now of counsel but remains involved in transactional work, including high-value lease negotiations. Gregory Hathaway is the principal lawyer in the firm's land use subpractice. Mike Connors is also known principally for his zoning and land use practice, including negotiations relating to natural gas pipelines and retail premises.

THE FIRM The Portland office of this highly respected national firm maintains a strong profile in real estate, particularly on the zoning and permitting side.

Sources say: "The highly skilled lawyers are always dependable and do a good job, and clients benefit from the firm's wide legal and geographical experience. "

KEY INDIVIDUALS Senior counsel Richard Cantlin's name is synonymous with the transactional side of the practice. Clients agree that "his top-flight skills make him a consummate attorney and go-to adviser." Of counsel Andrew Solomon is noted for his talents in both transactional and zoning matters. "He is a worthy adversary and highly skilled," sources say. He acted for ethanol producer Cascade Grain Products in its bankruptcy proceedings. Land use and real estate head Steven Pfeiffer is a former town planner, and earns praise as "an amazingly eloquent advocate who does not show needless aggression in getting to a result." He has acted for Pacific Santa Fe on significant land use and environmental work. Michael Robinson is "a bright and intelligent negotiator with government agencies." He represented Providence Health & Services Oregon in zoning enquiries connected with a 146-acre facility. Mark Whitlow is principally a land use attorney; he recently acted for Oregon International Port of Coos Bay in connection with a new marine terminal. Of counsel Roger Alfred is "a knowledgeable land use expert, who is skilled at drafting clear documentation." He has acted for high-caliber clients such as Fred Meyer Stores.

THE FIRM This prominent West Coast firm has a broad real estate practice, which covers a variety of commercial, residential and industrial real estate matters, representing both developers and lenders.

Sources say: "An enviable practice with significant strength on the transactional side."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Shareholder Terry Hauck is praised for being "extremely responsive and producing high-quality work, especially leasing and document drafting." John Guinasso divides his time between the Portland and Bend offices, and is considered "an effective attorney who keeps a keen eye on the transactional detail." Mark Manulik is "a good name in the market, especially for finance work related to real estate." Mark Stayer is praised as "a commercially minded lawyer." He frequently works for clients on a national level.

THE FIRM This Oregon firm has a significant real estate and affordable housing practice. The group handles a range of real estate matters, and is particularly noted for its expertise in the renewable energy sector and the tax aspects of real estate transactions.

Sources say: "The lawyers are highly skilled, and can provide quick assistance with tax issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Firm president Randall Bateman is praised for his "careful attention to detail and know-how in real estate transactions and structuring." Chris Gram focuses on all aspects of transactional work and is well regarded for his "effective work and excellent interpersonal skills." 

THE FIRM The 20-strong real estate and land use group at this compact Oregon firm is particularly well regarded for its work for large developers. Key clients include Gerding/Edlen Development Company and US Bank Trust Group.

Sources say: "Fine capabilities on the transactional and development aspects of real estate."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gilbert Parker is highly regarded by clients, who report that they "would not do business without him as we would miss his reassuring manner and rock-solid legal skills." He recently represented Gerding/Edlen Development on 'The Cyan', a substantial mixed use residential and commercial development. Kenneth Antell is "a well-informed and committed client advocate" in real estate transactional matters. He is noted for his representation of major healthcare provider Providence Health Systems.

THE FIRM The real estate practice at this full-service firm benefits from substantial referral work from the firm's high-profile corporate and M&A group, giving the real estate practice particular strength in transactional work. Clients include Costco and IKEA.

Sources say: "The team's sound technical skills and confident handling of complex work do much to inspire confidence." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joseph Voboril is recognized as "a solid transactional lawyer with a good grasp of the issues pertaining to real estate." He acted for Winkler Development on its $19.05 million acquisition of Westbrooke Corporate Center. Real estate chair Jeffrey Keeney's practice includes both real estate and land use work, and he is particularly noted for his "adroit handling of transactional matters."

THE FIRM The real estate practice at this small full-service firm is particularly noted for its expertise in residential matters.

Sources say: "A fine practice, particularly good for residential condominium and homeowner association work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Russell is lauded as "a smart deal-maker with a good grasp of homeowner association law." David Bennett is "a practical real estate and condominium lawyer."

THE FIRM This Seattle firm's Portland office is noted for its work on mid-sized transactional matters in Oregon on behalf of clients such as Mercy Corps, Home Depot, Wells Fargo and Nautilus. 

Sources say: "Patient and responsive attorneys who offer unfailingly strong support on our lease work."  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bryan Powell heads the real estate and land use practices, and is licensed to practice in California and Washington as well as Oregon. "He is a respected name in the market for real estate deal work."

THE FIRM This small Portland firm has historically emphasized the real estate side of its practice. The group represents a variety of clients in a wide range of real estate and land use matters.

Sources say: "A practically-minded team, which is good to work with."  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partner Don Carter's practice includes major work for financial institutions. Dean Gisvold is a senior partner in the practice and a respected real estate transactional lawyer.

THE FIRM The group at this regional firm has maintained its strong profile in the state. It handles a range of real estate and land use matters, and is particularly noted for its work on the financing side.  

Sources say: "Technically proficient attorneys who provide skilled representation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonathon Goodling earns high praise for "his ability to see the bigger picture and get the deal done." His practice focuses on a wide range of transactional real estate matters. Phillip Grillo is "a good operator with adroit land use skills."

THE FIRM This West Coast firm has a compact transactional real estate practice, which also offers advice on the tax aspects of transactions. The team is currently representing the developers in a number of inner-city development projects.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Lokting attracts praise as "a smart and reliable lawyer who keeps a careful eye on contractual clauses." He focuses on transactional work.

THE FIRM This compact development-oriented boutique was formed by Davis Wright Tremaine alumni, and has a growing profile in the state. The team handles a variety of matters for clients from a range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing and renewable energy.

Sources say: "The firm provides effective representation in challenging circumstances, including contentious work."  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Coni Rathbone is praised as "an industrious and hard-working attorney." She recently acted for more than 60 tenants-in-common owner groups in workout matters related to the falling market. She also does some land use work.