Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Law

John F. Leone has practiced almost 30 years in the areas of wills, estate planning, estate and trust administration, qualified retirement plans and residential and commercial real estate. He received both his J.D. and B.S. degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo.In connection with his wills and estates practice, John has successfully defended proponents of wills subject to will contests, contested wills on behalf of beneficiaries, and has filed claims relating to breaches of ...

Ms. Woods is a real estate development lawyer known for her expertise representing real estate owners, investors, and developers in a diverse blend of real estate conveyancing, leasing, and financing transactions involving all real estate sectors. She often serves as lead counsel in real estate financing transactions including construction loans, long-term mortgage and other asset-based financings, defeasance transactions, multi-lender transactions, and equity raises. Commonly, Ms. Woods work...

Michael Fillingame is a member of Buchalter’s Corporate and Real Estate Practice Groups, and a Senior Counsel in the Firm’s Portland Office. Mr. Fillingame represents public and private companies in a broad range of complex corporate transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity investments and corporate governance. He also has substantial experience representing clients in a wide range of real estate transactions, including the acquisit...

Biography Kurt Kusiak is a graduate of Boston University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1991) where he was a member of the Law Review, a Liacos Distinguished Scholar, and winner of the American Jurisprudence Award for excellence in trial advocacy. Following law school, Kurt was a law clerk for the Hon. A David Mazzone, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts. Kurt then worked as a trial lawyer for Ropes & Gray before joining Fitch Law Partners. Each year since 2004, Kurt has...

Education: Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, California, 2008 Arizona State University, Tempe, ArizonaB.S. – 2005 Major: Business Management Bar AdmissionsArizona, 2009 U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 2009 Professional Associations and Memberships: Arizona Bar Association West Maricopa County Bar Association Planning and Zoning Commission, City of Litchfield Park, Commissioner 2017 to Present Industrial Development Authority, City of Litchfield Park, Board Member 2014 to 2021 We...

Robert is a member of our Finance, Real Estate and Restructuring Group. He focuses his practice on Real Estate Development and Finance, Corporate Governance, Mergers and Acquisitions and Commercial Finance.

Dawna Steelman structures and closes real estate transactions financed through federal and state tax credits, with a focus on low-income housing (LIHTC), historic preservation and solar tax credits. As counsel to investors, syndicators and developers, she has closed more than 200 deals around the country with more than $2B in equity. Along with structuring transactions, she negotiates the construction and permanent financing (including tax-exempt bonds and public and private grants and loans)...

Mr. Keiley is an accomplished attorney with a primary focus on real estate sales and acquisitions, development of residential and commercial projects, and commercial leasing. With a wealth of experience in representing clients across a broad spectrum of real estate matters, he brings a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in the acquisition, sale, leasing and development of real property in Hawaii, including the development of commercial and residential condominium projects...

Don Williams is a partner in the Indianapolis, Indiana office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP and is the Co-Chairman and Administrator of the firm’s Real Estate Department. Mr. Williams concentrates his practice in commercial real estate transactions. His practice focuses on the representation of developers, contractors, lenders, landlords, tenants and property owners in the acquisition, disposition and leasing of commercial, industrial and multifamily properties as well as the development of u...

Renee I. Covitt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Renee I., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Renee I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Education Mr. Coan received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with honors from the University of Northern Colorado and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Denver. Admissions & Associations Mr. Coan is admitted to practice before all courts in the States of Arizona, Colorado and North Dakota. Mr. Coan currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Colorado Bar Association’s Business Law Section Council and is the Co-Chair of the Financial Instituti...

Sam’s practice centers on business and transactional issues, with an emphasis on business organization, governance and compliance, exempt organizations, contract negotiation, land use, and business planning. He has more than three decades of experience assisting both local and national businesses and nonprofits as well as individuals and small businesses. Sam also has extensive political and governmental experience. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he served as a member...

Art has extensive experience in condemnation (eminent domain), real estate and zoning matters, including the litigation of dozens of significant cases. He has represented clients in Michigan District and Circuit Courts, Federal District Courts, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Learn more on the firm website.

James J. Chester is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. James J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bernard Kolodner is a partner in the Business and Finance Department and the Practice Leader of the Real Estate Group. He practices in the areas of development, design and construction, purchase and sale, leasing ( landlord and tenant representation), joint ventures and partnerships, financing, zoning, permitting, tax assessment appeals, and charitable exemptions. Bernie has extensive experience in developing shopping centers and other commercial developments, from acquisition through permitt...

Kelly L. Ovitt Puc is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Finance Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Kelly L., who practices law in Concord, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.