Real Estate: Oregon

THE FIRM Ball Janik is a byword for excellence in real estate law, both in Oregon and further afield. The team here is the largest in the state, and its strength in depth across all imaginable subspecialties and industry sectors is an asset few, if any, firms can rival. Clients include Ashforth Pacific, Port of Portland and Oregon Health & Science University.

Sources say: "To a person they are very, very good at what they do."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Janik is "very clearly a dean of the Oregon real estate transactional and land use Bar," according to sources. He has experience across the board, and offers an interesting subspecialty in stadium-related work.

Bradley Miller "brings brains to the table" and is admired by clients for his "good analytical ability." His practice centers on commercial leasing, acquisitions and the financing of residential, retail and commercial developments. 

THE FIRM This Portland-headquartered firm has a well-deserved reputation for having one of the region's most capable real estate and land use offerings. The team operates in all sectors of Oregon's economy, from agribusiness to infrastructure to ski area development. Clients include Intel, Puget Sound Energy and West Hills Development Company.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Abel is a celebrated expert on land use and natural resources law. He is engaged by major private developers and public sector bodies for large real estate projects.

Howard Feuerstein is a venerable figure in the local market, noted above all for his work regarding the development of condominiums, planned communities and mixed-use developments.

David Green is particularly well-known for his representation of institutional clients from the financial sector with regard to complex financing arrangements.

Thomas Page is an "excellent lawyer of great standing," according to sources. He is a gifted facilitator of large transactions and disposals, development projects and financings.

THE FIRM The real estate work undertaken by Davis Wright Tremaine's Portland branch extends far beyond the state line - as one would expect from a firm with a national profile. Recent projects include the leasing of warehouse property for Napa Valley winegrowers, and the acquisition of industrial property and the accompanying land use and environmental compliance work in Utah.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eugene Grant's practice centers mainly on real estate transactions, including commercial leasing, sales and the financing of development projects.

Thomas Smith is a seasoned and well-thought-of figure who represents owners, investors and developers, including the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest conglomerates.

Phillip Grillo joins from Miller Nash in what is seen as a major coup for Davis Wright. He brings a great deal of experience in land use matters.

Roger Alfred, also an experienced land use lawyer, is appreciated by clients for his "knowledge of local codes, planning and preparation, and ability to influence a positive outcome." 

Since publication, Roger Alfred has moved in-house.

THE FIRM This 11-strong team is characterized by the breadth of its offering, which goes beyond conventional acquisitions, sales, development and leasing of real estate to zoning and land use, construction, distressed properties and government relations. One of the firm's key clients is Gerding Edlen Development, a pioneer in eco-conscious real estate projects. 

Sources say: "I can unequivocally say that Dunn Carney has an excellent reputation in the community." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS One representative client finds Gilbert Parker to be "responsive to my needs and delivers a thorough work product whether it be a purchase and sale agreement or lease agreement."

Kenneth Antell represents owners, developers and financiers in transactions involving commercial, medical, residential and retail properties. He regularly acts for a large real estate investment trust (REIT) which develops shopping centers across the West Coast.

THE FIRM This national firm, and regional juggernaut, has the bench strength and versatility to help any large business with its real estate portfolio, however atypical or complex. Further, clients benefit from the resources of one of the finest land use practices in this part of the country. Clients include CWCapital Asset Management, Pacific Realty Associates (PacTrust) and Safeway.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Pfeiffer is regarded as one of the finest land use lawyers in the region. His clients praise his "excellent local knowledge" and find that he "understands local processes and politics keenly." 

Another esteemed land use specialist is Michael Robinson, who lobbies for approvals and permits for all manner of commercial, energy, industrial and healthcare facilities. 

Richard Cantlin, a senior counsel at the firm, is known for his high-level strategic advice to homebuilders, hospital centers, commercial developers and REITs. 

Mark Whitlow is praised for his "knowledge of local codes, planning and preparation, and ability to influence a positive outcome for the client." His work is perhaps best described as the confluence where land use, environmental and natural resources law meet.

Andrew Solomon is renowned for his prowess in transactional real estate, and has over the past year facilitated deals involving large industrial and retail development projects. 

THE FIRM This Pacific Northwest stalwart has an acclaimed and comprehensive real estate practice. In addition to the economic sectors one would expect to be catered for, the group's offering extends to industries characteristic of the region, namely timberland transactions, resort developments and energy projects. Clients include Cascadia Health Care, Hancock Natural Resource Group and Sunwest Builders. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Terry Hauck's distinguished career covers the spectrum of real estate and land use law. "He did an excellent job, as usual," said one market source of a recent transaction he handled. 

"A big name in real estate," John Guinasso is best known for his sophisticated leasing work, although he also undertakes extensive transactional work for REITs, developers and owners. 

"Always a pleasure to work with," Mark Manulik is lauded for the quality of his work on loan transactions and for his "eye for detail." 

Mark Stayer is regarded as being "one of the preeminent timber lawyers in the community." He chairs the firm's land department, which is made up of the real estate, land use and environmental, energy and natural resources groups. 

THE FIRM Real estate law is a central plank of this firm's service. As well as acquisitions, disposals, leasing and financing, the group is famously adept at matters concerning affordable housing and the environmental and regulatory implications of real estate developments. In spite of its relatively small size, the group has an impressive geographical reach, and has worked on deals in all 50 states.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Randall Bateman has a rich and varied practice, which takes in advising lenders, investors and owners of retail developments and renewable energy projects, among other matters.

Senior market sources say they "always know Chresten Gram will do a good job and that the client will be very pleased." He handles real estate transactions of all kinds. 

THE FIRM This growing team has in the past year benefited from the arrival of a number of attorneys from Portland firm Roberts Kaplan, bringing the real estate and land use complement up to ten full-time practitioners. The team's offering includes advice on large condominium, mixed-use and retail developments; stadium, arena and urban development projects; and property matters within an agricultural cooperative context.

Sources say: "We have a fruitful relationship."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bryan Powell cochairs the real estate and land use group and is valued by clients as an "excellent real estate lawyer."

THE FIRM This much-respected regional player serves clients in the construction, energy, forestry, manufacturing, retail and institutional lending sectors. The team also has a good deal of experience in creditors' rights and loan restructuring work, as well as in dispute litigation. In recent years the firm has sought to develop its land use and environmental compliance practice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joseph Voboril is a seasoned hand at securing land use approvals for clients, and successfully concluding architectural services agreements and construction contracts for sophisticated commercial developments. 

Jeffrey Keeney facilitates commercial real estate purchases, leases and development projects. He also represents a number of renewable energy entities.

THE FIRM This practice is perhaps best known for its pedigree in commercial, residential and mixed-use condominium developments and homeowner association projects. The team, which is active regionally, handles all manner of transactions and also has expertise in land use and environmental compliance.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Bennett is well regarded for his counseling of condominium, planned unit development and homeowner association clients. 

Stephen Russell is another team lawyer devoted in large part to matters concerning condominiums and homeowner associations, as well as more conventional transactional real estate and financing projects.

THE FIRM Real estate law is a flagship practice for this leading business boutique. As well as sales, disposals, leasing and real estate finance, the team is also well equipped to deal with land use, environmental compliance and permitting problems. Its distinguished client roster includes household names such as Bank of America and Safeway.

KEY INDIVIDUALS As a measure of the esteem in which he is held, Don Carter was recently elected to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. He has a broad practice, with commercial lending a recognized forte.

"Accomplished lawyer and litigator" Dean Gisvold has more than 40 years' experience of negotiating real estate transactions, facilitating development projects and conducting related lawsuits.

THE FIRM This Pacific Northwest powerhouse attracts praise for the diversity of its real estate practice and the quality of its attorneys. All conceivable real estate-related matters are handled here, including affordable housing, construction, development financing, land use and environmental law.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonathon Goodling excels at real property and related lending transactions. He advises borrowers and lenders, developers, landlords, tenants and buyers.

THE FIRM This fast-growing firm is in many ways best understood as a dedicated real estate boutique, although it also offers high-quality advice in general business law and other areas. It handles all facets of transactional real estate and development, as well as condemnation, land use, sustainable development and workouts.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Coni Rathbone works at the interface of real estate sales, purchases, leases and financing, as well as the attendant fields of loan restructuring, workouts and tax law.