Nine Coblentz partners and four practices are recognized by Chambers & Partners in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA. Harry O’Brien and Tay Via are listed as leading lawyers in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – California category; Alan Gennis and Danna Kozerski are listed as leading lawyers in the Real Estate – Northern California category; Timothy Crudo, Rees Morgan, and Sean Coyle are listed in the Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – California category; and Fred Alvarez and Hannah Jones are listed in the Labor & Employment – California category. Coblentz’s real estate and land use, white collar defense and investigations, and employment practices are recognized as leading practices in the guide.

Real Estate and Land Use

Coblentz’s land use practice is again ranked in Band 1 in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use category for California. Our real estate transactional practice moved up one band and now ranks in Band 2 in the Real Estate – Northern California category. Clients note, “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 that our team is “extremely qualified to handle complex land use issues and problems.”

Four real estate and land use partners received individual rankings:

Alan Gennis is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 2 in the Real Estate – Northern California category. “A first rate real estate lawyer. He is one of the best,” remarks a client. Alan has been recognized by Chambers since 2018.

Danna Kozerski is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 4 in the Real Estate – Northern California category. “Danna is thoughtful, responsive, brilliant and just a rock star. I would hire her again in a heartbeat,” notes a client, while another adds, “Danna is my go-to outside counsel.” Danna has been recognized by Chambers since 2024.

Harry O’Brien is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 3 in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – California category. “Harry is really well-known and very highly regarded in the industry,” notes a client. Harry has been recognized by Chambers since 2003.

Tay Via is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 3 in the Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – California category. A client remarks, “Tay is a well respected, skilled land use attorney who guides her clients through complicated approval processes.” Tay has been recognized by Chambers since 2022.

White Collar Defense and Investigations

Coblentz’s white collar defense and investigations practice is ranked in Band 3 in the Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations category for California. A client notes, “The firm is a Swiss-Army knife of talent. They are top notch in their response times and client service,” while others add, “Coblentz combines real experience with a practical and efficient approach,” and that “There’s a deep bench of partners with former federal prosecutorial experience. They’re very, very intelligent attorneys.”

Three litigation partners received individual rankings in the category:

Timothy Crudo moved up one band and is now ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 1 in the Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations category for California. “Timothy is a go-to lawyer in the white-collar arena. He sees the big picture and guides his clients through really complex matters,” notes a client, while another adds that he “is collaborative, strategic, very smart and really team-oriented. He is phenomenal.” Tim has been recognized by Chambers since 2016.

Rees Morgan is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 3 in the Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations category for California. “Rees is one of the finest lawyers in California. He’s knowledgeable, responsive, personable and candid,” raves a client. Another remarks, “I have nothing but positive outcomes with his involvement and I can’t recommend him highly enough.” Rees has been recognized by Chambers since 2021.

Sean Coyle is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Band 5 in the Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations category for California. A client notes, “Sean is a very sensible, steady and smart lawyer.” Sean has been recognized by Chambers since 2024.

Employment

Coblentz’s employment practice is ranked in Band 3 in the California: Labor & Employment – Highly Regarded category. “This department is thoughtful and examines all aspects, gives expert advice, and follows up with us on issues as they evolve. I always feel there is an expert for any facet of a situation,” notes a client. Another remarks, “The lawyers at Coblentz are attentive, experts in their field and creative problem solvers who are good at thinking about the larger strategic issues.”

Two employment partners received individual rankings in the category:

Fred Alvarez is recognized as a Senior Statesperson in California in the Labor & Employment category. “Fred is a phenomenal lawyer,” raves one client. Another notes, “Fred is very experienced, measured and has great judgment.” Fred has been recognized by Chambers for more than 20 years.

Hannah Jones is ranked in the Up and Coming category. “Hannah is an incredibly talented lawyer. She provides risk-balanced advice that is practical, tailored to the business and considers the circumstances of the organization,” says a client. Another notes, “Hannah is always easy to talk with and provides clear direction to solve complex matters.” Hannah has been recognized by Chambers since 2024.

Independent and objective, Chambers USA is carefully researched and widely considered to be the most reputable law firm directory in the world. Ranking criteria include technical legal ability, client service, commercial vision and business understanding, diligence, depth of the team, value for money, and other qualities most valued by legal clients.

To view the complete list of Coblentz rankings in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA, please visit the publication’s website linked here.

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP has been named a strongly recommended midsize firm by BTI Consulting Group as part of its Most Recommended Law Firms 2025 report. The list recognizes mid- and smaller-sized firms (500 attorneys or less) most recommended by 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.

In the wake of the executive orders targeting law firms, Coblentz has joined an amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie.

Our firm has long forged a path of fairness and justice, and we are deeply committed to our clients, our community, and each other. In joining this amicus brief we are standing for the principles of free speech, freedom of association, the right to counsel, the right to petition the government, and the rule of law.

To view the brief, please click here.

Partner Jeff Bernstein has been recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service by the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC). This honor recognizes Jeff’s significant dedication to pro bono service in 2024.

Jeff is one of the most well-known and preeminent tax attorneys in California. He brings extensive experience and close, personal attention to the representation of businesses, individuals, and families in highly sophisticated income, estate, and property tax matters, both as an advisor and as an advocate.

The JDC’s mission is to advance fairness and equality by providing pro bono legal services to low-income people and educational programs that foster diversity in the legal profession.

 

 

Tim Crudo and Mari Clifford authored the column “The Properties of Fraud Part I” which was published in the Spring 2025 ABTL Northern California Report. The column is the first part of a two-part series that looks at the development of mail and wire fraud statutes, some of their nuances, and where the courts might be headed in applying them. The full column is linked here.

Coblentz litigator Victor Yu authored the column “Is there a UCL exemption to Section 16600 of California’s Business and Professions Code?” which was published in the Spring 2025 ABTL Northern California Report. In the column, Victor discussed whether courts have recognized an “unfair competition” exception to Section 16600 of California’s non-compete law and other procedural hurdles in trade-secret cases. The full column is linked here.

Coblentz’s international legal alliance, TAGLaw®, has again been recognized by Chambers & Partners as “Elite – Band 1” for 2025—the highest ranking awarded to legal networks and alliances. This is the twelfth year TAGLaw has received the distinguished “Elite” designation since Chambers & Partners began ranking legal networks and alliances in 2013, and the fifth consecutive year ranked as “Band 1” since Chambers expanded their rankings of legal networks in 2020.

In selecting networks and alliances for their “Elite” status, Chambers & Partners pays particular attention to the quality of the member firms, their global reach, and the value that the alliance provides to its member firms. TAGLaw, with a global footprint in over 90 countries, has over 150 leading firms providing legal services to companies ranging from the Fortune 5000 and leading SMEs to high-net-worth individuals. With expertise in dozens of practice areas and numerous industry sectors, TAGLaw offers a substantial capability to its members’ clients. This capability is expanded by TAGLaw’s unique relationship with its sister alliances of accounting firms (TIAG®) and strategic partners (TAG-SP®), which together provide exceptional multidisciplinary service and a competitive advantage to businesses that cross geographical borders.

As the Northern California law firm representative to TAGLaw, Coblentz has access to a network of exemplary regional, national, and international legal resources to help us better serve our clients. Coblentz partner Paul Tauber is a member of the Advisory Board and chair of the Global Strategy Committee of the TAG Alliances, assisting in reviewing prospective new members, offering feedback for the planning of international conferences, and providing valuable guidance on future plans and initiatives.

Partner Sabrina Larson has been recognized as a leading trademark professional in the 2025 edition of the World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 guide.

Sabrina focuses on trademark and copyright clearance, prosecution, and enforcement, as well as complex litigation, with an emphasis on intellectual property and commercial litigation. She represents clients in domestic and international trademark clearance, prosecution, and enforcement, including in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, in Uniform Dispute Resolution Proceedings, and in federal court. She helps clients navigate international trademark clearance and selection; creates, implements, and manages trademark portfolio strategies; and secures and enforces her clients’ trademark rights around the world.

The WTR 1000 is a guide that recognizes top trademark professionals around the globe. For more details on the guide, please click here.

San Francisco, CA January 1, 2025 – Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP is pleased to announce the election of Bina Patel to the firm’s partnership, effective January 1, 2025.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bina to the partnership,” said Sara Finigan, Managing Partner of the firm. “Bina exemplifies the core values that Coblentz is known for – commitment to our clients, community, and firm. We are proud to call her our partner and look forward to her future contributions.”

Bina’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation with an emphasis on intellectual property and appeals. She has extensive experience in all stages of litigation and has practiced before federal and appellate courts across the country. She has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes technology disputes related to patents, copyrights, trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, fraud, unfair competition, and false advertising.

Bina has litigated cases involving a wide range of industries and technologies, including wireless and cellular networks, online advertising systems, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, food and beverage, medical devices and diagnostics, and biotechnology. She also counsels clients on data privacy and cybersecurity issues and regulatory compliance with federal and state privacy laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act.

Bina clerked for the Honorable John T. Noonan, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She is a member of the Copyright Society and the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California. She earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law with a Certificate in International Law. During law school, she served as Senior Book Reviews and Essays Editor of the California Law Review and was a recipient of the William K. Coblentz Civil Rights Research Fellowship. She earned her B.A., with honors, in Rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley.

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP partner Harry O’Brien was honored as Member of the Year by the Golden Gate – San Francisco chapter of the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) Land Economics Society. LAI awards honor nominees who have advanced the field of land economics through their achievements and service to their profession, community, and chapter.

Harry O’Brien has played a pivotal role in shaping the Bay Area’s urban landscape. He has represented both the San Francisco Giants in the development of Oracle Park and the San Francisco 49ers in the development of Levi’s® stadium in Santa Clara, California. He has also been recognized for his work with the Tejon Ranch Conservation and Land Use Agreement, one of the most significant land use and conservation agreements in California history. Known as a top Land Use & Zoning lawyer in Chambers USA, Harry’s clients describe him as “outstanding in providing good business counsel” and “a remarkably smart and experienced real estate attorney.”

Lambda Alpha International’s mission is to encourage and support the study of land economics, expand the world’s knowledge and understanding of the principles of land, and advance a close working bond and mutual understanding among those engaged in all disciplines and activities related to land economics.