Richard Klawiter > DLA Piper LLP (US) > Chicago, United States > Lawyer Profile

Recognized for being ‘extremely knowledgeable on all related land use and entitlement matters in multiple jurisdictions with long-standing relationships across the industry’, DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s land use, development and government relations lawyers are experienced in handling large development projects as well as governmental regulatory matters and regularly represent clients before trial and appellate courts. The firm operates nationwide with teams co-led by Richard Klawiter in Chicago, who represents developers and investors in securing entitlements and financial incentives for urban and suburban projects. Klawiter is well supported by co-head Katherine Jahnke Dale, who is also based in Chicago and advises on the financing and regulatory aspects of redevelopments, as well as by and co-head Antonio Calabrese in Reston, who advises on land use, zoning and complex development projects. Los Angeles-based contacts include Jerold Neuman, who advises individuals and companies on obtaining local government licenses, permits, rights, or contracts, and Kyndra Joy Casper, an expert on compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Other key members of the team are Reston’s ‘outstanding’ Brian Winterhalter, Bryan Connolly and ‘top real estate attorney’ John Rattigan in Boston, as well as Mariah DiGrino in Chicago.

‘Strong on knowledge, timeliness, and being business friendly in finding ways to accomplish the end goal’, DLA Piper LLP (US) fields a comprehensive real estate team with capabilities covering a wide range of zoning and development matters as well as transactions, workouts, restructuring, and refinancings, to name a few. The practice is well-versed advising major creditors, private equity investors, and real estate funds, alongside a number of large property owners, developers, and household companies, culminating in a diverse client roster. Equally diverse is the firm’s coverage of asset classes, with recent large engagements encompassing transactions and joint ventures in self-storage, logistics, and data centers, as well as several in the life science space. US real estate chair John Sullivan and co-vice chair Barbara Trachtenberg lead from the firm’s Boston office, while co-head Richard Klawiter takes the lead on land-use matters out of Chicago. Amy Carbins leads the Washington DC real estate practice, with partners Frederick Klein and Lauren Rico also being key names from this office. Meanwhile, Cara Nelson, noted for her experience advising foreign pension funds, heads the Boston real estate team; here, managing partner Bryan Connolly is commended for his full-cycle development expertise. In New York, partner Michael Haworth is highlighted for his cross-border expertise, notably between the US and Asia. Widely praised by clients, ‘extremely knowledgeable’ associate Oriana Montani is another name of note from the firm’s Boston office.