Worldwide law firm Withers has welcomed real estate partner Loretta Thompson to its Los Angeles office, adding significant experience and capabilities to its California property team. Loretta joins the firm from Greenspoon Marder LLP, and has previously worked at Eisner LLP and Loeb & Loeb LLP. She joins the firm with Diana Ozolins, a certified real estate paralegal.

Loretta focuses on both commercial and residential real estate, representing a wide range of clients on major transactions. She negotiates and facilitates real estate acquisitions and dispositions and handles tax exchanges for REITs, public and private corporations and high net worth individuals. She advised on the sale of the Playboy Mansion for a record-setting US $100 million.

Bryan Kelly, managing director of the firm’s Los Angeles office, comments: “Loretta provides clients with a level of subject matter knowledge and practical expertise that few other attorneys can match and we’re delighted to have her join us in LA. She will work alongside newly promoted partner Yin Ho in San Francisco, as well as veteran advisor and special counsel Steve Wilson to offer a first-class real estate team for complex and high value transactions in California.”

Prior to qualifying as a lawyer, Loretta worked in real estate management, leasing, and sales and was also a licensed residential realtor, giving her valuable industry experience and a strong network of agents, business managers, family offices and accountants.

David Guin, US business division leader at Withers, says, “Expanding our business division in California by adding superior talent like Loretta is at the core of our US growth plan. We have steadily built on the capabilities we offer clients in northern and southern California since opening our offices on the West Coast in 2015, and adding strong corporate and transactional advisors like Loretta is key to this.”

Loretta adds: “I’m so pleased to be joining the Withers team and to be playing a part in building out the real estate practice in California. The firm’s strategic focus on handling all of the legal needs of high net worth individuals is a great fit with my clients, and will offer them a complete set of services under one roof.”