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Attorney Awards
About Attorney Awards
Real Estate and Land Use
Real estate is a major industry with unique laws and legal structures. To effectively resolve legal matters involving real estate and land use, clients require attorneys with specific experience in this dynamic and constantly changing market.
WSHB has an accomplished real estate and land use team with deep expertise in a wide range of issues, including:
Entitlements and governmental approvals
Zoning changes, conditional-use permits, and nonconforming-use permits
The California Environmental Quality Act, Endangered Species Act, and Clean Water Act
Homeowner’s associations
Covenants, codes, and restrictions (“CC&R”)
Insurance issues and risk management
Judicial and nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings
Residential and commercial landlord-tenant disputes
Green building standards and LEED certification
DRE compliance, application, and filing
Due diligence associated with land acquisitions
Commercial unlawful-detainer actions
We work closely with development teams, including engineers and architects, to obtain both residential and commercial entitlements
We assist numerous Fortune 500 developers of common-interest communities with formation of homeowners’ associations, drafting and preparation of CC&Rs, and transition from developer to new home purchasers
We handle foreclosure litigation on behalf of major lenders, banks and investors
Our litigation team handles commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes, representing both landlords and tenants
We ensure compliance with home builder right-to-repair laws such as SB 800 in California and Chapter 40 in Nevada
Assessing areas of litigation risk and developing risk management strategies, which maximize risk allocation and minimize liability
We are well versed in green building standards and assist with all aspects of green building, including obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and maximizing certification benefits
Commercial and Business Litigation, Transportation, Product Liability, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Medical Malpractice and Healthcare Law, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices, Complex Tort and Casualty
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Insurance, Commercial and Business Litigation, Transportation, Construction, Professional Liability, Employment, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, Complex Tort and Casualty, Arbitration
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Construction, Complex Tort and Casualty, Product Liability, Transportation, Insurance, Commercial and Business Litigation, Corporate, Environmental, Employment, Banking Law, Personal Injury, Eminent Domain, Contracts
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5.0/5.0
Review for
Janice Michaels
by a Managing Partner
on 08/02/14
in Construction Law
Janice is a tribute to the legal profession. She invariably exhibits professionalism and decorum. She is always well prepared and has a compelling presence in the courtroom and elsewhere.
Janice is a tribute to the legal profession. She invariably exhibits professionalism and decorum. She is always well prepared and has a compelling presence in the courtroom and elsewhere.
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5.0/5.0
Review for
Melanie L. Thomas
by a Attorney
on 06/04/20
in Medical Malpractice
Ms. Thomas is a brilliant attorney. she understands rules, and the law perfectly, and her application is daunting to opposing counsel. I am proud that she is a member of our bar.
Ms. Thomas is a brilliant attorney. she understands rules, and the law perfectly, and her application is daunting to opposing counsel. I am proud that she is a member of our bar.
Read less
Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity
and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.
Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.
At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.
At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.
At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.
A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP got this award in 2026
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A,
publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.
Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.
