Related Industries
Related Practices
- Bankruptcy & Insolvency
- CEQA / NEPA
- Complex Business Litigation
- Eminent Domain & Inverse Condemnation
- Employment Counseling
- Employment Litigation
- Environmental/Toxics Litigation
- Financial Institutions
- Groundwater Law
- Land Use
- Pipelines & Terminals
- Public Trust Doctrine
- Real Estate
- Real Property & Land Use Litigation
- Recycled Water
- Water Law
- Water Rights Litigation
Real Estate
Investors, developers and property owners rely on Downey Brand’s capabilities to guide them through every phase of a real estate project. Our lawyers have the depth of experience and industry knowledge to assist clients in analyzing real estate opportunities that will advance their interests.
From environmental and title due diligence, to land purchase and financing, and through the approval process with local and state agencies our lawyers are there to keep the project on track and close the deal. Our industry team brings together real estate, finance, environmental and governmental attorneys, providing clients a comprehensive and efficient response to the challenges and opportunities of any real estate project.
Our diverse client base is representative of our firm and includes manufacturers, agricultural growers and processors, investors, tenants, and commercial real estate owners whose properties include office buildings, retail centers, mixed-used developments and industrial office parks through the region. With years of experience and an understanding of the many variables of a real estate project, our team knows how to close the deal to meet our client’s goals.
Selected Experience
- Represented several lenders in connection with all real estate aspects of financings secured by solar and wind generation projects in California.
- Represented national investment management and consulting firm in connection with an approximately 123,000 square foot office building lease to the State of California.
- Represented a health care organization in connection with the financing, entitlement development and leasing of several medical office building and hospital projects in Northern California.
Trade Groups
- Association of Commercial Real Estate (ACRE)
- Bay Planning Coalition (BPC)
- California Business Properties Association (CBPA)
- California Real Estate for Women (CREW)
- California Retailers Association (CRA)
- International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
- Lambda Alpha Land Economics Society (LAI)
- NAIOP, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
- North State Building Industry Association (BIA)
- Real Estate and Construction Networking, Sacramento (RECON)
- Sacramento Association of Realtors (SAR)
- Urban Land Institute (ULI)
- Represented several lenders in connection with all real estate aspects of financings secured by solar and wind generation projects in California.
- Represented national investment management and consulting firm in connection with an approximately 123,000 square foot office building lease to the State of California.
- Represented a health care organization in connection with the financing, entitlement development and leasing of several medical office building and hospital projects in Northern California.
- Represented a retail developer in connection with the acquisition, development, financing and leasing of several anchored shopping centers in Northern California.
Brenda C. Bass
Brenda C. Bass
Senior Associate
Brenda Bass advises public agency and private clients on environmental review requirements, as well as applying for and complying with water quality permits. She is also experienced in litigating CEQA and groundwater quality issues for clients throughout California.
Sacramento 916.520.5385
Senior Associate
Sacramento 916.520.5385
Sophia B. Castillo
Sophia B. Castillo
Partner
Sophia Castillo (“Sophie”) helps her clients comply with, and litigate, complex legal issues relating to toxics and chemicals in products and in the environment. Her practice focuses on California’s Proposition 65, litigation involving chemicals in consumer products, and pollution and contamination claims in soil and water.
San Francisco 415.848.4814
Partner
San Francisco 415.848.4814
Joseph G. De Angelis
Joseph G. De Angelis
Partner
For more than 20 years, Joe De Angelis has combined his legal skills and accounting background to guide his clients through complex tax planning and business transactions. His substantial experience as a certified public accountant is extremely valuable to clients requiring practical business solutions for complex legal issues.
Sacramento 916.520.5308
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5308
Matthew W. Ellis
Partner
San Francisco 415.848.4846
Janlynn R. Fleener
Janlynn R. Fleener
Partner / Chair, Litigation Department
For over 25 years, a variety of businesses—from financial institutions to national property developers and shopping center owners, governmental agencies, regional businesses, sole proprietorships, and individuals—have turned to Jan Fleener to handle their complex business litigation.
Sacramento 916.520.5227
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5227
Christopher Miles Kolkey
Senior Associate
Sacramento 916.520.5320
Christian L. Marsh
Christian L. Marsh
Partner / Executive Committee Member
Public agencies and private companies turn to Christian Marsh for advice on regulatory and land use entitlement issues governing real estate developments, ground and surface water supply projects, renewable and non-renewable energy facilities, mining operations and processing plants, and port and waterfront developments.
San Francisco 415.848.4830
Partner
San Francisco 415.848.4830
Sean G. McKissick
Sean G. McKissick
Counsel
Sean McKissick provides strong and effective legal assistance throughout all stages of trust and estate disputes. Sean has extensive experience across a wide variety of litigation areas and industries in addition to trust and estate work, including healthcare, real estate, civil rights, and white-collar criminal defense.
Sacramento 916.520.5262
Counsel
Sacramento 916.520.5262
Bret F. Meich
Bret F. Meich
Partner
With a proven track record of trying and winning complex business cases, Bret Meich counsels clients through a range of strategic decisions in order to effectively resolve disputes. He practices primarily in the area of general litigation, and he emphasizes professional, high-quality advocacy from case inception through post-trial appellate work.
Reno 775.997.7418
Partner
Reno 775.997.7418
Kathryn L. Oehlschlager
Partner
San Francisco 415.848.4820
Scott L. Shapiro
Managing Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5234
Reno 775.329.5900
Danielle R. Stephens
Danielle R. Stephens
Partner
Danielle Stephens is a skilled transactional attorney who assists clients with commercial real estate leasing, financing (including CMBS and SBA loans), acquisitions and sales, easements, and title matters with a focus on contractual negotiations requiring collaborative deal-making. She also advises on matters involving contaminated properties including due diligence and remediation.
Sacramento 916.520.5475
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5475
Melissa A. Thorme
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5376
San Francisco 415.848.4800
Matthew J. Weber
Partner
Stockton 209.472.3922
Sacramento 916.444.1000
Madeline R. Weissman
Madeline R. Weissman
Associate
Madeline Weissman uses her background in litigation, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and water law to advise public agencies and private clients on regulatory and land use entitlement issues governing real estate developments, renewable energy facilities, applications for and compliance with water quality permits, and ground and surface water issues throughout California.
San Francisco 415.848.4812
Associate
San Francisco 415.848.4812
Announcements
21 related items-
August 6, 2021Downey Brand Welcomes Senior Associate Kimberly Gambrall
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April 27, 2021Downey Brand Welcomes Sean McKissick to its Litigation Practice in Sacramento
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March 8, 2021Real Estate Partner Marc Centor Joins Downey Brand’s San Francisco Office
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March 5, 2021Christopher Kolkey Selected to Leadership Sacramento Class of 2021
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October 20, 2020Downey Brand Welcomes Madeline R. Weissman to its San Francisco Office
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October 1, 2020Downey Brand Welcomes New Bankruptcy Litigation Associate Paul Gaus
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February 7, 2020Danielle Stephens Rejoins Downey Brand as a Partner
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January 15, 2020Downey Brand Names Two New Partners
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December 13, 2019Downey Brand Welcomes Brenda Bass to Natural Resources Practice in Sacramento
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June 7, 2019Downey Brand Welcomes New Litigation Attorney Michael J. Laino
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December 12, 2018Downey Brand Welcomes Two New Associates to its Sacramento Office
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December 11, 2018Downey Brand’s San Francisco Office Welcomes Meghan Quinn
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October 15, 2018Natalie Kirkish and Benjamin Lee Join Downey Brand’s Natural Resource Team
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September 17, 2018Downey Brand Welcomes Litigator Christopher Kolkey to its Sacramento Office
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June 21, 2018Bret Meich Earns Nevada Legal Elite Recognition
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June 2, 2017Litigation Attorney Bret Meich Recognized as Legal Elite: Nevada’s Top Attorneys
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January 6, 2017Downey Brand Names New Partners and Counsel
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April 20, 2016Announcing CEQA Chronicles
A Blog Focusing on Environmental Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act -
March 18, 2016Downey Brand Sponsors 24th Annual Broker of the Year Awards
The Association of Commercial Real Estate’s Charity Event Benefits River Oak Center for Children -
November 2, 2015Veteran Environmental Attorneys Kathryn Oehlschlager and Donald Sobelman Join Downey Brand
Firm Furthers its Bay Area Commitment with Expansion of San Francisco Office -
March 19, 2015Downey Brand Sponsors the 23nd Annual Broker of the Year Awards
The Association of Commercial Real Estate’s Charity Event to Benefit Lilliput Children's Services
In the News
1 related items-
July 29, 2021Another Voice: As Oakland A’s look for new stadium, Sacramento needs to thump its chest
Sacramento Business Journal
Speaking Engagements / Events
10 related items-
November 9, 2021How Nonprofits Introduce Children and Youth to Opportunities in the Built Environment
Panelist, 2021 Women in Construction Fall Conference -
March 16, 2021Defensible Spaces: How Updates to State and Local Codes Aim to Achieve Wildfire Prevention in California
Environment, Land Use and Real Estate Section of the BASF Barristers Club -
November 19, 2020BPC Expert Briefing: CEQA Update 2020
Bay Planning Coalition's 8th Annual CEQA Update -
November 11, 2020CEQA and Environmental Impact Reports: 2020 Cases, Standards, Mitigation Measures, Exemptions and Lead Agencies
Strafford Webinars -
September 10, 2020Greenhouse Gas Emission Impacts in CEQA & NEPA Environmental Review
Environment, Land Use and Real Estate Section of the BASF Barristers Club -
November 18, 2019BPC Expert Briefing: CEQA Update 2019
Bay Planning Coalition's 7th Annual CEQA Update -
October 17-20, 201928th Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite®
Presented by the California Lawyers Association -
October 17, 2019Managing Risk in the Food Delivery World: Understanding Product Recall
Joint Presentation Hosted by Downey Brand, EPIC, and Berrian Insurance Group -
May 10, 2019Resiliency for a Vibrant Bay Area
Panelist, Bay Planning Coalition’s 2019 Spring Summit -
November 1, 2018Affordable Housing, Costa-Hawkins Revisions and Reaching the Middle Class
Moderator, 2018 Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference NorCal
Legal Alerts
6 related items-
April 16, 2020CalEPA Issues Statement on Enforcement and Compliance Requirements During COVID-19 Pandemic
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and Updates Environmental Law -
January 8, 2016The California Supreme Court’s CEQA Docket Comes To A Dramatic Close For The Year, Resolving That EIRs Need Not Address The Environment’s Impacts On A Project
Environmental Law -
December 2, 2015California Supreme Court Strictly Interprets State Fully Protected Species Statute and Finds Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Inadequate in Newhall Ranch EIR
Land Use Law -
October 30, 2015Update: Berkeley Hillside Case Ends With Victory for Lead Agency in Court of Appeal
Land Use Law -
June 6, 2015Appeals Court Decides Crucial Case On State Fish And Wildlife’s Extension Of Streambed Alteration Limits To Existing Water Diversions
Water Law -
March 4, 2015California Supreme Court Delivers Long-Awaited Ruling In Berkeley Hillside
Land Use Law
Publications
4 related items-
August/September 2021District Court Pulls the Plug on California Restaurant Association Challenge to City’s Ban on Natural Gas Infrastructure in New Construction
Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 1, Number 11 -
August 20, 2020Next Up for the Oakland A’s New Stadium Plan: Another Lawsuit
Daily Journal -
March 2020Update: Signature Gatherers and Solicitors
California Grocer, Issue 1 -
April 2016Family Farm and Ranch Business Succession
Inside the Minds: Family and Business Succession Planning, 2016 Ed., Aspatore Books
Blogs
1 related items-
December 20, 2021California Enacts More Than Two Dozen Laws This Year to Combat Housing Crisis
CEQA Chronicles