WEST COAST REAL ESTATE, LAND USE, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY GROUP
POSITION YOURSELF TO THRIVE WITH OUR COMMITMENT TO UNPARALLELED SERVICE
As one of the largest law firms in the United States, Holland & Knight has extensive experience and knowledge in all aspects of land use and environmental law, from acquisitions and project development to environmental audits and compliance assessments. Our real estate attorneys and professionals have a long history and substantial experience with water quality, due diligence, entitlements, brownfields, wetlands, endangered species, historical matters, health and safety, hazardous materials, biotechnology, tribal law, insurance and litigation.
EXPERIENCE THE HOLLAND & KNIGHT DIFFERENCE:
HIGHLY RESPONSIVE
to market changes, creatively adapting as circumstances demand
INNOVATIVE
by offering cutting-edge counsel on evolving issues affecting every aspect of the industry
COMPREHENSIVE
working relationships with local regulatory and policy authorities throughout the country, including municipalities, as well as the executive and legislative branches
Our group works on local zoning and entitlement approvals, but also has a substantive background in three or more areas of land use and environmental law, including:
• agricultural and conservation easements
• air quality
• biological and radiological materials
• bond financing
• brownfields redevelopment and water supply
• community facilities financing
• hazardous materials handling
• hazardous waste management
• homeowner association formation/management
• redevelopment and annexation
• sewage and water treatment plants
• special district formation
• state and federal agency advocacy
• state and federal legislative advocacy
• stormwater
• threatened and endangered species
• transit and transportation improvements
• wetlands
Our West Coast Real Estate, Land Use, Environment and Energy Groups provide clients the added benefits of working with a focused practice group, combined with the broader resources of a large multidisciplinary firm.
When you bring your real estate matters to our firm, you access the resources of our land use and environment professionals as well as those in energy-related practice areas.
Our Clients range from developers and builders to investors and lenders, industry and trade associations, as well as federal, state and local governments
50+ attorneys and land use professionals operate in our four West Coast offices to provide regional insight
Members of our national practice are involved in related industry groups, including ULI and the National Mortgage Association
IN-DEPTH PRACTICE STRENGTHS
Site assessments, compliance audits and follow-ups are critical to your business. Our compliance know-how is extensive, covering all aspects of environmental and land use matters, including:
Endangered Species Act
Takings Law
Environmental Health and Safety
Tribal Law
Insurance
Litigation
Environmental Review (NEPA and CEQA)
Brownsfield Redevelopment
REAL ESTATE FINANCE
Real estate finance is a core strength of our Real Estate practice, as demonstrated by our significant track record within the national real estate finance space as well as throughout California.
RETAIL
Holland & Knight has one of the strongest retail practices nationwide. As other retail law firms abandon their focus on the retail sector, we are even more committed to it, and continue to organize our retail practice around the needs of clients to fit their business services and structure.
HOSPITALITY
We have a focus on the hotel and hospitality industry, with particular emphasis on hotel and mixed-use communities in California and beyond. We advise hotel owners and developers of mixed-use resort and urban communities domestically and in the emerging markets of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Holland & Knight was one of the first law firms with attorneys certified as LEED-accredited (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). We have attorneys who are certified to advise clients on green building, environmentally sustainable construction and performance issues.
LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS
Since the inception of low-income housing tax credits in 1975, Holland & Knight has represented syndicators, developers, broker-dealers and equity investors in structuring, negotiating and documenting tax-advantaged equity investments in all types of real estate throughout the United States. As a result, we have developed extensive knowledge about low-income housing tax credits, and the tax and business problems that can arise in structuring tax-advantaged transactions.
ADDED-VALUE SERVICES
DUE DILIGENCE
Counseling purchasers, sellers and lenders on evaluating the issues and structuring transactions to minimize risk
ENTITLEMENTS
Guiding clients through the land use approval process with project-level direction
HISTORICAL RESOURCE
Assisting clients with requirements under the National Register of Historic Places and the NHPA
CONNECT WITH US
Jennifer Hernandez
West Coast Land Use Practice Group Leader San Francisco | 415.743.6927 jennifer.hernandez@hklaw.com
Douglas Praw
West Coast Real Estate Practice Group Leader
Century City | 213.896.2588 doug.praw@hklaw.com
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT OUR FIRM
The Best Lawyers in America Guide Attorney recognitions in 2025 guide: Real Estate Law | Land Use and Zoning Law Environmental Law | Litigation – Land Use and Zoning | Litigation – Environmental
Chambers USA − America’s Leading Lawyers for Business Guide No. 1 in California for 2018-2024: Real Estate: Land Use & Zoning
Attorney recognitions: Real Estate | Land Use & Zoning Law | Environment Law
Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” Guide
2024 national first-tier rankings Land Use & Zoning Law | Real Estate Law | Litigation –Real Estate | Environmental Law
2024 metropolitan first-tier rankings in Land Use & Zoning Law
Fort Lauderdale | Miami | San Francisco | Washington, D.C.
2024 metropolitan first-tier rankings in Litigation – Land Use & Zoning
San Francisco