Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP is a proud sponsor of the 2025 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Fall Meeting, taking place from November 4 through 6, 2025 in San Francisco.

ULI’s Fall Meeting offers top real estate industry leaders, visionaries, and decision-makers the opportunity to come together for unique insights, networking, and hands-on learning regarding the built environment.

The conference includes a tour of Mission Rock, a mixed-use development and public-private partnership between the San Francisco Giants, the Port of San Francisco, and Tishman Speyer. Coblentz is lead counsel to Seawall Lot 337 Associates, LLC, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, in the Mission Rock project. Our representation has included advice regarding Proposition D, the project height authorization ballot measure approved in the November 2015 election, and negotiation of a complex development agreement, financing plan, master lease, and multiple agency reviews, including the San Francisco Port Commission, Board of Supervisors, BCDC, and the State Lands Commission. As one of the lead lawyers on the project, Coblentz real estate partner Gregg Miller will be attending the tour.

Coblentz has had a longstanding relationship with ULI over the years given the firm’s deep roots in real estate and land use law in the Bay Area and beyond. As clients note in Chambers USA, “The team has a deep understanding of land use law, significant experience and deep relationships within the jurisdictions that we work in, which helps us achieve desired results,” and is “extremely qualified to handle complex land use issues and problems.”

ULI is a global network of professionals in every sector of real estate development and land use, from private enterprise to public service, and has more than 45,000 members worldwide. ULI’s mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

For more details on ULI’s Fall Meeting, please visit the ULI website linked here.

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass was named to Benchmark Litigation’s 2026 list of “Recommended Firms,” ranking in Tier 1 for Dispute Resolution in San Francisco and California.

In addition to the firm’s Tier 1 ranking, the following six partners are recognized by Benchmark Litigation:

• Jonathan Bass: Litigation Star and California – Litigation Star for Competition/Antitrust, Appellate, and Commercial Litigation
• Timothy Crudo: Litigation Star and California – Litigation Star for White Collar Crime
• Rees Morgan: Litigation Star for White Collar Crime
• Richard Patch: Litigation Star and California – Litigation Star for Competition/Antitrust, Commercial, and Class Action
• KT Van Dusen: Future Star
• Clifford Yin: Litigation Star for Labor and Employment, Commercial, and Real Estate

Benchmark Litigation is the definitive guide to the world’s leading litigation law firms and lawyers. Its law firm and lawyer rankings are based on extensive interviews with litigators, dispute resolution specialists, and clients to identify leading litigators and firms. More details are available on the Benchmark Litigation website linked here.

Coblentz associate Anita Chu co-authored the Dispute Resolution chapter in the ABA Forum On Construction Law’s Fundamentals of Construction Law, Third Edition. The chapter covers on-site alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques, partnering, and traditional and step negotiations. More details are available on the ABA’s website.

Anita litigates cases involving large-scale and complex construction projects. She has represented owners, public entities, general contractors, and subcontractors in disputes arising out of the construction of public transit, student dormitories, university buildings, hospitals, electrical substations, housing developments, and commercial tenant improvement projects. Anita has successfully resolved disputes involving breach of contract, extra work, delay, warranty, defects, and indemnity.

In the wake of the current administration’s policy of courthouse arrests in Northern California and the prolonged detention of immigrants in unsafe and unlawful conditions at U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) San Francisco Field Office, Coblentz has joined a coalition of civil rights groups to file a federal class action lawsuit against ICE.

Our firm has long forged a path of fairness and justice. As pro bono counsel for this class action, we are providing support to our community members most in need of legal representation.

“By subjecting immigrants to the inhumane conditions at 630 Sansome, the administration has violated the Fifth Amendment’s core protection against punitive detention without due process. We will call on the court to end these unconstitutional practices,” said Mark Hejinian, litigation partner and co-chair of Coblentz’s Pro Bono Committee.

To view the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights’ press release, please click here.

Richard Patch has been recognized as one of the best attorneys for client service in BTI’s 2025 Client Service All-Stars report.

The BTI Client Service All-Stars report is based solely on unprompted, confidential feedback from more than 350 independent, individual interviews with CLOs and General Counsel at Fortune 1000 companies and large organizations. Client Service All-Stars are recognized by top legal decision makers for being embedded in client decision-making, understanding business and operating context, bringing new ideas clients have not seen before, operating in compressed time frames, and offering practicality in time to matter.

Richard’s trial and appellate practice focuses on complex civil litigation, and he is widely regarded as one of the leading cable television and telecommunications lawyers in the country. “My client service philosophy is built on clear communications, responsiveness, and unwavering integrity,” says Richard. “I prioritize understanding each client’s unique goals in order to deliver result-driven legal solutions. My commitment is to handle every case with the utmost diligence and respect, ensuring that my clients are always informed and receive legal support that consistently exceeds their expectations.” To view Richard’s BTI Client Service All-Star profile, please click here.

Earlier this year, Coblentz was recognized in BTI’s Client Service A-Team 2025, where corporate counsel ranked Coblentz in the top firms nationally for client service excellence. Coblentz was also named a strongly recommended midsize firm in BTI’s Most Recommended Law Firms 2025 report.

BTI is an industry leader in conducting independent research on how clients acquire, manage, and evaluate their professional services providers. Read more about the BTI Client Service All-Stars 2025 here.

In its annual listing of the nation’s top legal talent, the Best Lawyers® in America guide recognized 36 Coblentz attorneys, including 9 as Ones to Watch®. Best Lawyers lists are based entirely on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is determined solely through a comprehensive peer-review survey. The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® is based on more than 31 million evaluations.

Categories of recognition are listed below.

2026 Best Lawyers in America Recognitions

• Fred Alvarez: Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Jon Bass: Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Real Estate
• Jennifer Beerline: Trusts and Estates
• Jeff Bernstein: Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
• Matt Bove: Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
• Frank Busch: Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Tim Crudo: Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Phil Feldman: Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
• Gregg Ficks: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Alan Gennis: Real Estate Law
• Robert Hodil: Real Estate Law
• Miles Imwalle: Land Use and Zoning Law
• Megan Jennings: Land Use and Zoning Law
• Jeff Knowles: Commercial Litigation
• Danna Kozerski: Real Estate Law
• Jacob Lager: Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• Jaime Mannon: Trusts and Estates
• Gregg Miller: Real Estate Law
• Jim Mitchell: Trusts and Estates Law
• Rees Morgan: Criminal Defense: White Collar
• Allison Moser: Employment Law – Management
• Harry O’Brien: Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
• Richard Patch: Appellate Practice, Litigation – Antitrust
• Frank Petrilli: Land Use and Zoning Law
• Ben Pulliam: Commercial Litigation
• Doug Sands: Real Estate Law
• Tay Via: Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Real Estate Law

2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America Recognitions

• Abe Andrade: Commercial Litigation
• Kiana Araghi: Real Estate Law
• Leah Collins: Real Estate Law
• Sarah Peterson: Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate
• Angel Saunders: Trusts and Estates
• Laura Seegal: Litigation – Labor and Employment
• David Thompson: Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
• Ashley Weinstein-Carnes: Land Use and Zoning Law
• Jessica Wilson: Tax Law

To view the full rankings, please visit the Best Lawyers website.

Coblentz’s Family Wealth practice and partners Jim Mitchell, Phil Feldman, and Jaime Mannon are recognized in the 2025 Chambers High Net Worth Guide, which ranks the world’s top service providers to ultra-high net worth and high net worth individuals and families and family offices.

The Coblentz Family Wealth practice ranks in Band 2 for Private Wealth Law, Northern California. A source notes, “Coblentz take a sophisticated yet balanced approach and have been collaborative to work with,” while another adds, “I found the Coblentz team to be precise, thoughtful, organized and deliberate. I have only had very positive interactions with everyone, all of whom have been knowledgeable and helpful.”

Jim Mitchell is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2. Jim advises high net worth clients on tax planning and trust and estate administration. A source notes, “James is very good.”

Phil Feldman is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2. Phil assists wealthy individuals and families with income, philanthropic, and gift and estate tax planning. A source says, “Philip Feldman is a truly seasoned professional.”

Jaime Mannon is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2. Jaime offers affluent individuals and families assistance with estate and gift tax planning and cross-border tax planning. A source notes, “Jaime always has a command of the client’s needs and history. She always comes armed with appropriate planning and strategy suggestions,” while another adds, “Jaime Mannon has been a tremendous asset to our family, and we are lucky to have her as part of our team.”

Independent and objective, Chambers HNW is carefully researched and widely considered to be one of the most reputable law firm directories in the world. Ranking criteria include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, business understanding, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by legal clients. To view additional details on Chambers HNW rankings, please click here.

Additional Coblentz Chambers USA Rankings

Nine additional Coblentz partners and four practices are recognized in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA, also published by Chambers & Partners. Real Estate partners Alan Gennis, Danna Kozerski, Harry O’Brien, and Tay Via; Litigation partners Timothy Crudo, Sean Coyle, and Rees Morgan; and Employment partners Fred Alvarez and Hannah Jones are ranked as leading lawyers in their respective categories. Coblentz’s Employment, Land Use, Real Estate, and White Collar Defense and Investigations practices are also recognized by Chambers USA 2025.

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP is recognized in BTI’s Client Service A-Team 2025, where corporate counsel ranked Coblentz in the top firms nationally for client service excellence. The annual report ranks the top law firms serving the world’s largest clients, recognized for delivering the absolute best levels of client service. The BTI Client Service A-Team is the only law firm ranking based solely on direct, unprompted feedback from more than 350 corporate counsel.

BTI is an industry leader in conducting independent research on how clients acquire, manage, and evaluate their professional services providers. More details are available here.

San Francisco (July 9, 2025) – San Francisco-based law firm Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP is pleased to announce that Barbara N. Barath, a seasoned intellectual property litigator and experienced trial lawyer, has joined the firm’s partnership. Barbara joins Coblentz from Debevoise & Plimpton.

Barbara Barath focuses on intellectual property litigation and high-stakes technology disputes to help clients protect proprietary technologies and defend against IP claims. With a proven track record of successful trial outcomes and favorable settlements, Barbara has served as lead strategist on numerous complex patent, trade secret, copyright, and trademark matters. She has litigated disputes relating to a broad range of technologies from semiconductor fabrication to USB, memory, communications, networking, cloud storage, two-way radio, mobile device user interface, mobile device management, data compression, spinal derotation, refrigerator water filter, and CAD.

She has over fifteen years of experience representing Fortune 500 and multinational technology clients in multimillion-dollar cases. In 2020, she helped secure a landmark $764.6 million jury verdict and $34.2 million in attorneys’ fees in a case involving the misappropriation of confidential materials and copyright-protected source code.

“Barbara’s extensive IP litigation experience with patent, trade secrets, trademark, and copyright matters makes her a strong addition to our IP practice. Her work with leading Bay Area technology companies positions her as a key resource for clients,” said Sara Finigan, Managing Partner of the firm. “We are delighted to welcome Barbara to Coblentz.”

A thought leader in the trade secrets legal community, Barbara serves as Vice Chair of the ABA-IPL Trade Secrets and Interferences with Contracts Committee, speaks at conferences such as the AIPLA Trade Secret Summit, and participates in the Sedona Conference Trade Secrets Working Group.

“I’m thrilled to join the IP litigation group at Coblentz,” said Barbara Barath. “What drew me to the firm was not only its 130-year legacy and reputation as one of San Francisco’s leading mid-sized law firms, but also the breadth and depth of the IP team’s experience. Our team members have helped shape the landscape of copyright law in both the Napster and AI eras, represented global technology leaders in multi-million-dollar patent litigation, and are among the few who have litigated TTAB matters to trial. I look forward to building on this strong foundation and further expanding the firm’s IP litigation capabilities.”

Prior to joining Coblentz, Barbara helped lead the Technology Litigation Group at Debevoise & Plimpton, was a partner in the IP Litigation Group at Kirkland & Ellis and was an associate in the IP Litigation Group at Morrison & Foerster. Earlier in her career, she served in the Major Crimes Division of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office before entering private practice as an associate at Morrison & Foerster.

Coblentz’s Intellectual Property team counsels and advocates across all aspects of IP management and litigation. Our team members have represented many of the world’s leading technology companies in their most important patent and trade secret matters and have litigated copyrighted source code and AI tool-related cases. Our firm has built a national reputation for successful copyright litigation for the music industry. We have also prosecuted trademarks and successfully litigated trademark infringement and domain name enforcement cases on behalf of clients in a wide range of industries before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and the World Intellectual Property Organization, as well as in federal court.

Coblentz associate Anita Chu co-authored the Resolution of False Claims Act Cases chapter in the ABA Forum on Construction Law’s False Claims in Construction Contracts, Second Edition. More details are available on the ABA’s website.