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Lambda Alpha International Honors McDonough Holland & Allen’s Joseph Coomes with the Fourth Annual Samuel J. Cullers Award

Shareholder David Krotine Also Inducted into Honorary Society of Real Estate and Land Use Professionals

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 20, 2007 – McDonough Holland & Allen PC, a leading Northern California law firm representing both public and private sector clients, announces that Shareholder Joseph E. Coomes received the Samuel J. Cullers Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Sacramento Chapter of Lambda Alpha International (LAI).  Coomes’ 50-year career in land use law and civic commitment to the Sacramento region earned him the honor, which is awarded on an annual basis.

In conjunction with the award ceremony, Shareholder and real estate attorney David Krotine was inducted into the LAI Sacramento Chapter, becoming the third attorney at McDonough Holland & Allen to be a member of this prestigious organization. McDonough's David Spottiswood and Coomes also are members.

LAI is a worldwide society of professionals, such as developers, bankers, lawyers, planners, architects and engineers, who have made notable contributions to the study and ethical practice of land use.

“We are thrilled for both Joe and Dave.  Joe is incredibly deserving of this achievement award.  He is one of California's premier land use and reuse legal counsel, having represented clients in some of the largest projects in the state.  With many active attorneys to choose from within LAI in Sacramento, the fact that Joe was honored is a testament to his influence in the industry and to the respect he enjoys from his peers,” said Jeffry Jones, managing shareholder at McDonough.

Coomes’ practice is focused on redevelopment, land use and planning law.  He has successfully negotiated some of the largest and most difficult urban, mixed-use redevelopment projects in California, including San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens and downtown San Jose’s Silicon Valley Financial Center.  With a distinct specialty in military base closure and reuse, Coomes has played a pivotal role in the redevelopment of Hamilton Field in Novato, Calif., Mare Island in Vallejo Calif., and Fort Ord in Monterey, Calif., as well as in reuse planning for other closed military bases in California.

Locally, Coomes represented the owners of Arco Arena and the Sacramento Kings NBA Team in a successful public refinancing of the private debt on the arena and team, which enabled the Kings to remain in Sacramento.  He also helped negotiate and structure a tax-exempt financing of a downtown convention center hotel. 

Previous awards include “Best Lawyers in America 2007,” “Lawyer of the Year” from the Sacramento County Bar Association, “Sacramentan of the Year” from the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, “Distinguished Counsel Award” from the Housing and Development Law Institute, and the “Fame Award” from Commercial Real Estate Women.  Coomes has served as president of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Valley Vision, chairman of the Capitol Area Development Authority and president of the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization.

Coomes is a frequent lecturer on urban development and land use planning before state, national and international organizations, including engagements in London, Tokyo and Beijing.  Coomes received his L.L.B. from University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law (1957) and his A.B. from University of California, Berkeley (1954).

Krotine’s practice includes entity formation for public and private investors, including partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations; real estate and corporate asset-based financings, purchase and sale of businesses and real estate; and leasing.  He is the lead attorney for the firm in its representation of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS).  Krotine received his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law (1987) and his B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame (1982).

About Lambda Alpha International

Lambda Alpha International, the Honorary Society for the Advancement of Land Economics, was founded in 1930 under the leadership of the renowned land economist and champion of academic freedom, Richard T. Ely.  As an honorary society, it provides a forum for the study and advancement of land economics where the "winnowing and sifting" of ideas takes place in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Individuals who have made notable contributions to the study and ethical practice of land use are invited to join Lambda Alpha International.  Now numbering more than 2,000 members worldwide, Lambda Alpha International is an apolitical not-for-profit professional organization.

About McDonough Holland & Allen PC

McDonough Holland & Allen PC is a multi-service law firm committed to providing a powerful combination of client service and legal expertise. The firm has more than 100 attorneys based in its two strategically located Northern California offices, with a client base that ranges from real estate and construction companies to health care and public entities. 

For more than 50 years, McDonough Holland & Allen PC has focused on helping businesses, individuals and local governments build and sustain our communities.  The firm has forged strong, long-term relationships with its clients.  In addition to providing legal advice, McDonough attorneys strive to anticipate clients' needs and partner with them to craft innovative solutions.

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