Buchalter Welcomes Land Use Shareholder in Los Angeles
July, 2024 - Los Angeles, California
17 July, 2024 – Buchalter is pleased to announce that Michael Shonafelt has joined the firm as a Shareholder in its Los Angeles office. Shonafelt will be joining the firm’s Real Estate practice group bringing extensive experience in real estate and land use matters.
"We are delighted to have Michael join our team. His extensive experience in land use and zoning matters will be an asset to our prestigious Real Estate Practice and to our clients,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. Michael’s addition illustrates our commitment to expanding our real estate capabilities with top-tier talent.”
Shonafelt advises landowners, developers, lenders, receiverships, and public agencies on all aspects of zoning and land use, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Coastal Act, general plan amendments and zone changes, conditional use permits (CUPs), subdivision maps, variances, development agreements, wetlands issues, and coastal development permits (CDPs). He is also well-versed in California housing laws.
Throughout his career, Shonafelt has successfully obtained entitlement and permit approvals for a diverse range of development projects, including industrial developments, resort hotels, residential developments, and wireless telecommunications network projects. His practice covers all phases of the real property entitlement process, from preparing permit applications to achieving final approval and post-decision land use litigation. Shonafelt is particularly recognized for his ability to achieve consensus and success in the face of seemingly insurmountable project challenges and opposition.
Shonafelt expressed his enthusiasm about joining Buchalter, stating, "I am thrilled to join Buchalter and to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team. The firm's commitment to providing comprehensive and multidisciplinary service aligns perfectly with my approach to helping clients navigate the complex landscape of real estate land use matters. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of our clients and the firm."
Alicia Guerra, Chair of the Land Use Practice, added, “Michael’s comprehensive experience and proven success make him an invaluable addition to our land use practice. His expertise will not only strengthen our land use capabilities, but also provide our clients with valuable legal services.”
***
Buchalter is a full-service business law firm representing local, regional, national, and international clients in a multitude of practice areas and their subspecialties, among them: Bank and Finance, Corporate, Health Care, Litigation, Insolvency and Financial Law, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Real Estate, and Tax and Estate Planning. Buchalter has nearly 500 attorneys with offices in California, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. For more information about the firm, visit: buchalter.com.
