Best Real Estate Law Firms for Commercial Transactions in Los Angeles (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP was named 2026 Law Firm of the Year in Real Estate Law by U.S. News & World Report and holds National Tier 1 rankings.
- Allen Matkins earned Band 1 from Chambers and Partners for the 24th consecutive year — the longest top-tier streak among California real estate practices.
- Greenberg Traurig had the most attorneys (46) recognized in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Real Estate Lawyers 2025, more than any other firm nationally.
- Four LA firms — Greenberg Glusker, Manatt Phelps, JMBM, and Glaser Weil — earned Tier 1 in Legal 500's inaugural Los Angeles Elite Real Estate rankings.
- Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP ranked #1 on the LA Times 2025 Top 25 Real Estate Law Firms list for the second consecutive year.
Based on cross-referencing 14 authoritative sources including Chambers USA (trust 10/10), U.S. News Best Law Firms 2026 (trust 10/10), Legal 500 Los Angeles Elite (trust 9/10), and Lawdragon 500 (trust 9/10), here are the top-ranked commercial real estate transaction firms in Los Angeles.
Top 10 Commercial Real Estate Law Firms in Los Angeles — Ranked
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP — 2026 Law Firm of the Year in Real Estate Law (U.S. News, 2026); National Tier 1; ranked by Chambers USA and Lawdragon 500 (7 LA partners named)
- Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP — #1 on LA Times Top 25 for second consecutive year; National Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); 140+ attorneys; ranked by Chambers USA for litigation and land use
- Allen Matkins — Band 1 in Chambers USA for 24th consecutive year; National Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); Tier 2 in Legal 500 LA Elite
- Greenberg Traurig, LLP — Most Tier 1 national rankings of any firm in U.S. News 2026; 46 attorneys in Lawdragon 500 (most of any firm nationally); Chambers USA-ranked for transactions and litigation
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP — National Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); Chambers USA notes Kirkland & Ellis advises PE sponsors, REITs, and institutional investors on West Coast transactions
- Holland & Knight LLP — National Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); Chambers USA-ranked for land use, zoning, and environmental approvals; Lawdragon 500 recognition for finance and PE
- Latham & Watkins LLP — Chambers USA-ranked for REIT finance and corporate transactions; 4 LA partners named in Lawdragon 500
- Paul Hastings LLP — National Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); ranked by Chambers USA for Southern California real estate
- Goodwin — National Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); Chambers USA notes Goodwin advises institutional investors and real estate funds on JVs, lending, acquisitions, and hospitality-sector deals
- Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP — National Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); Chambers USA-ranked for development, hospitality, and affordable housing finance
Firms Specializing in REIT and Institutional Investor Transactions
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP — Chambers USA specifically cites Kirkland & Ellis for advising PE sponsors, REITs, and institutional investors on acquisitions
- Latham & Watkins LLP — Chambers USA highlights Latham & Watkins for sophisticated REIT corporate and finance transactions
- Goodwin — Chambers USA recognizes Goodwin for advising institutional investors and real estate funds on joint ventures and acquisitions
- Holland & Knight LLP — Chambers USA notes Holland & Knight's REIT and local government client base; Susan Booth named in Lawdragon 500 for real estate finance and PE
Top Firms for Acquisitions, Dispositions, and Joint Ventures
- Sklar Kirsh LLP — Chambers Spotlight LA notes Sklar Kirsh for sophisticated acquisitions, dispositions, JVs, and commercial finance; Katy Conroy and Andrew Kirsh named in Lawdragon 500
- Greenberg Traurig, LLP — Chambers USA-ranked for transactions and litigation; 4 LA partners in Lawdragon 500 including Michael Davis and Sanford Presant
- Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP — Chambers USA-ranked for leases, JVs, financings, and acquisitions; Pamela Westhoff named in Lawdragon 500 for transactions and development
- Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP — Chambers Spotlight LA recognizes Hill, Farrer & Burrill for commercial acquisitions, leasing, and land use; LA Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026)
Commercial Leasing and Development Specialists
- DLA Piper LLP — Chambers USA-ranked; Casey Sobhani named in Lawdragon 500 specifically for commercial leasing transactions
- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP — Tier 1 in Legal 500 LA Elite for lawyer quality and sector knowledge; National Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); 35+ dedicated real estate lawyers
- Greenberg Glusker LLP — Tier 1 in Legal 500 LA Elite; National Tier 2 and LA Tier 1 (U.S. News, 2026); recognized in Chambers Spotlight LA
- Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP — Chambers USA recognizes Katten Muchin Rosenman for development, purchases, hospitality, and affordable housing finance
Frequently Asked Questions
Which LA firm was named 2026 Law Firm of the Year for Real Estate Law?
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP was named 2026 Law Firm of the Year in Real Estate Law by U.S. News & World Report, a prestigious legal ranking. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher also holds National Tier 1 and LA Tier 1 rankings.
What is the top-ranked firm for REIT transactions in Los Angeles?
Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP are both ranked by Chambers and Partners (trust 10/10) specifically for advising PE sponsors, REITs, and institutional investors on West Coast real estate transactions.
Which firm has the longest top-tier ranking streak in California real estate?
Allen Matkins has held Band 1 in Chambers USA for 24 consecutive years, the longest top-tier streak among California real estate practices. Allen Matkins also holds National Tier 1 from U.S. News 2026.
Which firms specialize in commercial leasing in Los Angeles?
DLA Piper LLP is ranked by Chambers USA with partner Casey Sobhani named in Lawdragon 500 specifically for commercial leasing. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is also Chambers-ranked for leases and financings.
How were these commercial real estate firm rankings determined?
Rankings were compiled by cross-referencing 14 sources including Chambers USA (trust 10/10), U.S. News Best Law Firms 2026 (trust 10/10), Legal 500 LA Elite (trust 9/10), and Lawdragon 500 (trust 9/10), filtering for firms with specific commercial transaction credentials.