Mayer Brown assists major developers and investors in traversing the legal and political complexities involved in developing projects. The Los Angeles-based practice is led by the ‘well respected’ and ’timely’ Edgar Khalatian who is proficient in obtaining land use entitlements essential for residential, commercial, mixed-use, and medical facility projects. Philip Recht co-leads the firm’s public policy, regulatory & political practice, and often promotes his clients’ interests before federal, state and local government authorities. Recent joiner Dario Frommer represents his clients in similar legislative, regulatory, and enforcement matters. Seasoned litigator Dan Queen and associate Arteen Mnayan advise their clients on the California Environmental Quality Act and other compliance issues. Recently promoted partner Nedda Mahrou and associate Patricia Tubert are well-informed on planning and zoning law, securing entitlements, and municipal affairs. Unless stated otherwise, all the abovementioned attorneys are based in Los Angeles.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Mayer Brown LLP has a complete nationwide suite of professional legal services. They are quick to connect you to the resources of the topic at hand.’

  • ‘Edgar Khalatian has provided excellent legal counsel in navigating a long and arduous CEQA process for entitlements on our expansion project. Always timely and on top of any challenge.’

  • ‘I genuinely enjoy working with this practice because they have a multi-disciplinary team made up of attorneys, planners and lobbyists.’

  • ‘Edgar Khalatian is extremely well respected and connected with City agencies and the political sphere. I also find that he is very responsive. He is far faster than other firms/attorneys I work with.' 

Key clients

  • Acciona Energy North America Corporation
  • Accelerate Maryland Partners (Macquarie Capital & Transurban)
  • Alabama Department of Transportation
  • Arkansas Department of Transportation
  • Benteler International AG
  • Caterpillar
  • Consortium of Central Japan Railway Company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hitachi, Toshiba and NEC
  • Constellation Energy
  • Cummins
  • Garver Engineering and HNTB

Work highlights

  • Representing Sentinel Peak Resources in the redevelopment of the largest urban oil field in the United States. The project involves the transformation of an approximately 1,200-acre oil field into a sustainable mixed-use community, with entitlements to allow for up to 7,000 residential units and accessible open space.
  • Represented AvalonBay Communities with entitlements for a mixed-use 475 residential unit, 61, 200 square feet of commercial space development in the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District.
  • Represented Millennium Partners in the $1 billion redevelopment of the famed Capital Records property with the Hollywood Center mixed-use project.

Lawyers

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

Edgar Khalatian; Nedda Mahrou

Other key lawyers

Philip Recht; Dario Frommer; Dan Queen; Arteen Mnayan; Patricia Tubert