Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton is one of the largest full-service law firms in the country, with its roots in Los Angeles and a broad practice that spans tax law, real estate, bankruptcy, corporate, and litigation. The firm's tax group handles complex property tax matters for institutional clients, large commercial property owners, and businesses with significant California real estate exposure. For property tax work, Sheppard Mullin operates at the upper end of the market. Their clients tend to be corporations, real estate investment trusts, developers, and high-net-worth individuals with multi-property portfolios or high-value assets where the complexity and dollar amounts justify the involvement of a major firm. They're not typically the right fit for a single residential property, but for larger commercial matters, they bring substantial resources and legal depth.

Sheppard Mullin's tax practice covers California property tax appeals as part of a broader state and local tax offering. For real estate clients, this means assessment challenges before county assessment appeals boards, as well as litigation in California Superior Court and beyond if a dispute escalates beyond the administrative level. The firm handles large commercial transactions where property tax exposure is a deal consideration, including pre-acquisition tax due diligence, change-of-ownership analysis, and structuring advice to minimize reassessment risk. They also work on base year value issues, change in control determinations for entity-owned properties, and exclusion planning for complex ownership structures. For clients with multi-county or multi-state portfolios, Sheppard Mullin can coordinate property tax strategy across jurisdictions. Their tax controversy attorneys are also equipped to handle disputes that cross into income tax or transfer tax territory, which is a real advantage for clients where property transactions have layered tax implications. The firm's real estate and bankruptcy practices work alongside their tax group on distressed property situations, receiverships, and restructurings where property tax treatment can significantly affect outcomes.

Sheppard Mullin's property tax engagements typically begin with a detailed review of the client's property holdings, ownership structures, and current assessed values. For large portfolios, this initial audit phase often identifies multiple appeal opportunities and compliance issues that weren't previously visible. From there, the firm develops a coordinated appeal strategy, working with independent appraisers and valuation experts as needed. They manage all formal filings, assessor correspondence, and informal settlement negotiations. For institutional clients, they often establish ongoing relationships with county assessor offices to facilitate more efficient resolution of recurring assessment disputes. When cases proceed to formal hearings, their attorneys lead the presentation, with valuation experts providing supporting testimony. If hearings result in unsatisfactory outcomes, the firm's litigation team can pursue judicial review without the transition costs of bringing in new counsel.

Sheppard Mullin serves clients with property interests throughout California and across the United States. Their Los Angeles office is their flagship location, with deep familiarity across all of Los Angeles County's assessment jurisdictions. They also serve clients with properties in the Bay Area, San Diego, Orange County, and other California markets through a network of California offices. For clients with national portfolios, they coordinate work across multiple states.