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Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP

United States 2025
National flag for United States 7 National Rankings
18 Regional Rankings
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Overview

Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP was founded in Los Angeles in 1968, with the goal of providing superior and comprehensive legal services to businesses, institutions, and individuals in all aspects of the real estate, finance, and construction industries. Cox, Castle & Nicholson is now one of the largest full-service law firms specializing in real estate in the United States, and has over 130 transactional and litigation attorneys in our Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco offices.

We have substantial expertise in matters involving land and improved property acquisitions and dispositions; joint ventures; single and multi-family residential development; land use, entitlement and regulatory compliance (including coastal commission and condemnation); office, industrial, retail and mixed-use development, leasing and management; commercial lending and institutional investment; loan workouts and financial restructuring; construction; resort and hospitality; labor and employment; risk management and insurance; environmental compliance; renewable energy and natural resources; and tax and estate planning.

Founded:
1968
Size:
138
Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
56
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
41

Rankings

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Environmental Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
1
National Ranking
Natural Resources Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Construction Law

Regional

Los Angeles

Tier
1
Los Angeles
Construction Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Environmental Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
Los Angeles
Litigation - Environmental

Select Clients

Alvarez & Marsal Capital Real Estate Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors Crimson Pipeline Douglas Emmett Inc. EDF Renewable Energy Legacy Partners Commercial, Inc. Pacifica Hotel Investors Pattern Energy Recurrent Energy Shores LLC Signature Properties Sutter Health Terra-Gen Power, LLC Thomas Properties Group

Rankings

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Environmental Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
1
National Ranking
Natural Resources Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Construction Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Energy Law

Regional

Los Angeles

Tier
1
Los Angeles
Construction Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Environmental Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
Los Angeles
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
2
Los Angeles
Litigation - Insurance

Orange County

Tier
1
Orange County
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
Orange County
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Tier
1
Orange County
Real Estate Law

San Francisco

Tier
1
San Francisco
Environmental Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
1
San Francisco
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Tier
1
San Francisco
Natural Resources Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
San Francisco
Energy Law
Tier
2
San Francisco
Litigation - Real Estate

Practice Areas

Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 10 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Antitrust Law
  • Appellate Practice
  • Arbitration
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
  • Construction Law
  • Corporate Compliance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Economic Development Law
  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Energy Law
  • Energy Regulatory Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Litigation - Antitrust
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Litigation - ERISA
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Litigation - Municipal
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Mediation
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Mining Law
  • Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
  • Municipal Law
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Oil and Gas Law
  • Project Finance Law
  • Public Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Reinsurance Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Securities Regulation
  • Securitization and Structured Finance Law
  • Tax Law
  • Trusts and Estates
  • Venture Capital Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP proudly has 41 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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Offices & Contacts

Los Angeles, CA
2029 Century Park East, Suite 2100
Los Angeles, CA 90067
United States
310-284-2200
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Irvine, CA
3121 Michelson Drive, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92612
United States
949-260-4600
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San Francisco, CA
50 California Street, Suite 3200
San Francisco, CA 94111
United States
415-262-5100
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