Michael Shimada

Chris Carr is widely regarded as one of the leading project development, environmental, and energy lawyers in the United States. Drawing on his experience with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of State, Mr. Carr represents businesses, land developers, public agencies, and nonprofits in all areas of environmental and natural resource law, including energy, transportation, water, forestry, mining, coastal and marine resources, and agriculture. In particular, his pract...

Phong-Chau G. Nguyen is a partner in Lieff Cabraser’s San Francisco office specializing in consumer and defective product cases, as well as personal injury/mass tort matters. He is part of the leadership team in the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions multidistrict litigation, which secured an unprecedented $14+ billion in settlements on behalf of U.S. owners and lessees of Volkswagen diesel vehicles, won the California Daily Journal’s “California Lawyer of the Year” award, an...

Joy C. Chang is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Joy C., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joy C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob Blum is a litigator who represents contractors and owners on construction claims and clients in many industries on contract and indemnity claims. He counsels lawyers and law firms on professional responsibility matters and represents creditors in bankruptcy cases. What Do You Focus On? With more than three decades of experience, I focus my practice in the following areas. Commercial Contract Litigation I represent construction, energy, vegetation management, financial services and retail ...

David E. Lillevand is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. David E., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jay L. Paxton is a Shareholder in Buchalter Nemer's Real Estate Practice Group in San Francisco and a former member of the Firm's Board of Directors. Mr. Paxton specializes in real estate transactions, leasing and land use planning. Mr. Paxton represents both sellers and acquirers in the negotiation and documentation of real estate sale transactions, including portfolios of properties. His experience includes representation of numerous Fortune 500 companies in acquisitions, sales, sale/leaseb...

Laurie-Ann D. Look is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Laurie-Ann D., who practices law in Redwood Shores, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laurie-Ann D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Valerie Bantner Peo focuses her practice on creditors’ rights and commercial litigation with significant experience at the trial and appellate levels in bankruptcy, federal and state court. She regularly represents financial institutions, including agribusiness lenders and alternative lenders, software licensors, commercial landlords and tenants, equipment lessors, officers and directors, companies in distress, and creditor committees and other fiduciaries.

Richard S. Kinyon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Richard S., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 1987. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer L. Hernandez co-chairs Holland & Knight’s National Environmental Team and leads the West Coast Land Use and Environment Practice Group. She divides her time between the San Francisco and Los Angeles offices, and works on projects in Northern and Southern California, as well as the Central Valley. She has achieved national prominence in her work on brownfields redevelopment, wetlands and endangered species, and master planned community projects. She represents private, nonpr...