Real Estate

Practice Chair: David A. Juhnke

Development and Land Use

Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor has extensive experience in all phases of real property development, including acquisition, government regulation, zoning, environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), entitlement, and ultimate build out.  Our attorneys also have experience in the laws protecting endangered species and their application to development.  Our law firm was counsel for the largest agricultural cluster development in San Luis Obispo County, which now serves as a statewide model for residential development in California agricultural zones.  We have participated in several major commercial development projects in the Central Coast area from Santa Maria to Paso Robles.

Real Estate and Construction Disputes

Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor represents developers, brokers, owners, homeowners associations, contractors, architects, and engineers in matters involving real estate development, construction defects, contract disputes, and tort actions.  Our attorneys have also represented these parties in matters involving creditors' and borrowers' rights, mechanics' lien claims, and property work-out arrangements.  We have been retained as counsel in insurance coverage representation of contractors and builders.  Our lawyers frequently participate in both commercial and construction arbitrations under the American Arbitration Association Rules, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) rules, and the California statutory framework.

Real Estate Transactions

Our real estate practice has involved virtually every facet of real estate in San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara County.  Our attorneys represent owners, developers, contractors, architects, engineers, and lenders in connection with the development, acquisition, leasing, sale and tax-deferred exchange of commercial, agricultural, industrial, mixed-use, retail, and residential property.  Completed projects range from the development, acquisition, and sale of vineyards, farms, and ranches, to residential tracts in urban and suburban areas; and from shopping center and mixed-use projects to single-family developments.

Environmental

Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor has broad and extensive experience in environmental matters, including soil and groundwater contamination and remediation, environmental assessments and regulatory compliance.  We represent clients in administrative matters before federal, state and local regulatory agencies and in third party civil litigation.