Best Real Estate Law Firms in Memphis for Commercial Transactions (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Glankler Brown, Burch Porter & Johnson, and Butler Snow are the only Memphis firms ranked by both Chambers USA (trust 10/10) and Best Lawyers (trust 10/10) for real estate in 2026.
- Baker Donelson holds 213 first-tier metropolitan rankings in the 2026 U.S. News Best Law Firms list, the most of any Memphis firm.
- Griffin, Clift, Everton & Maschmeyer was ranked #1 by ThreeBestRated with a 4.8/5 rating and specializes in commercial closings and construction loans.
- Harris Shelton's Gil Uhlhorn works directly with publicly traded REITs on commercial acquisitions, dispositions, and financing (Avvo).
- Apperson Crump PLC, Memphis's oldest continuously operating firm (est. 1865), is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and represents developers and institutional lenders.
Based on cross-referencing 11 authoritative sources including Chambers USA (trust 10/10), Best Lawyers (trust 10/10), and Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters, trust 9/10), here are the top-ranked commercial real estate law firms in Memphis for 2026.
Top Commercial Real Estate Law Firms in Memphis (2026)
- Glankler Brown, PLLC — Ranked by both prestigious Chambers USA and Best Lawyers for real estate; J. William Pierce Jr. named Memphis Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law 2025 by Best Lawyers; R. Hunter Humphreys holds AV Preeminent rating for 30 consecutive years (Best Lawyers, Chambers USA). Meta-Score: 89/100.
- Burch, Porter & Johnson, PLLC — 27 lawyers in 2026 Best Lawyers with 7 named Lawyer of the Year; decades of experience in real estate acquisitions, development, financing, and leasing; ranked by Chambers USA for Tennessee real estate (Best Lawyers, Chambers USA). Meta-Score: 87/100.
- Butler Snow LLP — Ranked by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers for real estate; Lead Counsel Verified on LawInfo (Chambers USA, Best Lawyers). Meta-Score: 86/100.
- Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC — 213 first-tier metropolitan rankings in 2026 U.S. News Best Law Firms; ranked #1 Memphis law firm by GetCompensation.law; recognized in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. Meta-Score: 83/100.
- Bass, Berry & Sims PLC — 107 attorneys in Best Lawyers 2026 with 22 named Lawyer of the Year; 67 first-tier metropolitan rankings in U.S. News Best Law Firms across Memphis, Knoxville, and Nashville (Best Lawyers, Avvo). Meta-Score: 84/100.
Best Firms for Real Estate Development and Construction
- Griffin, Clift, Everton & Maschmeyer, PLLC — Ranked #1 by ThreeBestRated with 115/120 inspection score and 4.8/5 rating; founded 1969; specializes in commercial real estate closings, construction loans, and development projects; also ranked by U.S. News Best Law Firms and Expertise.com. Meta-Score: 72/100, 6 source appearances.
- Apperson Crump PLC — Memphis's oldest continuously operating firm (est. 1865); AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell; represents sellers, buyers, developers, and commercial/institutional lenders for shopping centers, offices, and major retailers; top-tier Real Estate Law recognition in U.S. News Best Law Firms. Meta-Score: 52/100.
- Farris Bobango PLC — Substantial commercial real estate closing practice since the 1950s; agent for three major title insurance companies; significant land use and zoning practice since 1965 (Martindale-Hubbell, LawInfo). Meta-Score: 49/100.
Best Firms for Commercial Leasing and Financing
- Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan, PLC — Founded 1963; practice covers commercial acquisitions, dispositions, financings, entity formation, and leasing; ranked by U.S. News Best Law Firms, Expertise.com, and Avvo. Meta-Score: 66/100, 5 source appearances.
- Evans Petree PC — Full-service firm founded 1907 with 55 attorneys; E. Woods Weathersby holds AV Preeminent for real estate transactions; Wendy Geurin Smith named to Best Lawyers 2026 for Real Estate Law; Caren Beth Nichol named Top 50 Women Lawyers in Mid-South by Super Lawyers. Meta-Score: 80/100.
Best Firms for REITs and Institutional Real Estate
- Harris Shelton — Gil Uhlhorn works with publicly traded REITs and commercial real estate owners on acquisitions, dispositions, and financing (Avvo); ranked #5 Memphis law firm by GetCompensation.law; also listed by Expertise.com. Meta-Score: 65/100.
- Glassman, Wyatt, Tuttle & Cox, P.C. — Ed Wallis named Attorney of the Year for Memphis in Real Estate Litigation 2025–2026 by Best Lawyers; AV-rated boutique handling acquisition/development disputes, purchase/sale agreements, and land use/zoning litigation (Martindale-Hubbell). Meta-Score: 62/100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Memphis law firms are ranked by Chambers USA for commercial real estate?
Only five firms hold Chambers USA rankings for Tennessee real estate: Glankler Brown, Burch Porter & Johnson, Butler Snow, and two others. Chambers USA is considered one of the most prestigious legal directories globally (trust 10/10).
Which Memphis firm is best for commercial real estate closings and construction loans?
Griffin, Clift, Everton & Maschmeyer ranks #1 on ThreeBestRated with a 4.8/5 rating and 115/120 inspection score, specializing in commercial closings, construction loans, and development projects since 1969.
What is the best Memphis law firm for REIT and institutional real estate work?
Harris Shelton's Gil Uhlhorn specifically works with publicly traded REITs and commercial real estate owners on acquisitions, dispositions, and financing, according to Avvo (Martindale-Avvo, trust 7/10).
Which Memphis commercial real estate firm has the most first-tier U.S. News rankings?
Baker Donelson holds 213 first-tier metropolitan rankings in the 2026 U.S. News Best Law Firms list. Bass, Berry & Sims follows with 67 first-tier metropolitan rankings across three Tennessee offices.
Are there boutique firms in Memphis that handle commercial real estate?
Glassman, Wyatt, Tuttle & Cox is an AV-rated boutique litigation firm with Ed Wallis named Attorney of the Year for Real Estate Litigation 2025–2026 by Best Lawyers. Apperson Crump (est. 1865) handles commercial closings for developers and institutional lenders.