Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis brings decades of tax expertise to property owners facing assessment challenges in the Bay Area. Our team understands that property taxes represent one of the largest ongoing expenses for real estate owners, making accurate assessments crucial for your bottom line. We've helped hundreds of clients successfully reduce their property tax burdens through strategic appeals and comprehensive assessment reviews. Our attorneys combine deep knowledge of California property tax law with practical experience in local assessment practices, ensuring your case receives the attention and expertise it deserves.

Our property tax practice covers the full spectrum of assessment challenges and tax reduction strategies. We handle residential and commercial property appeals, conducting thorough reviews of assessor valuations and identifying opportunities for tax savings. Our team performs detailed property valuations using industry-standard methodologies, ensuring your assessment accurately reflects current market conditions. We manage the entire appeals process, from initial filing through hearings before local assessment appeals boards. Additionally, we provide ongoing assessment monitoring services, tracking changes in your property's assessed value and market trends that might trigger future appeals. For complex commercial properties, we coordinate with certified appraisers and market analysts to build compelling cases. We also assist with assessment methodology challenges, particularly for unique properties or those affected by market disruptions. Our proactive approach includes annual assessment reviews and strategic planning to minimize long-term tax exposure.

Our process begins with a comprehensive property assessment review, analyzing your current valuation against comparable sales and market data. We conduct detailed property inspections, documenting any factors that might support a reduction. Our team then prepares and files formal appeals with appropriate documentation and expert testimony when needed. Throughout the process, we maintain regular communication, providing updates on case progress and strategy adjustments. If initial appeals aren't successful, we can pursue further administrative remedies or court challenges as appropriate.

We serve property owners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, with particular focus on Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties. Our team has extensive experience with local assessor offices and appeals boards in Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and surrounding communities. We also handle select cases in San Francisco and other Northern California jurisdictions.