Elizabeth Cousins, Brad Kuhn and Artin Shaverdian Recognized as "Top Real Estate and Development Lawyers" for 2026

Liz Cousins, Brad Kuhn and Artin Shaverdian were recognized as “Top Real Estate and Development Lawyers” by Daily Journal, California’s leading legal newspaper. The list recognizes California lawyers whose work has a profound impact at both the state and national level.

Daily Journal highlighted several recent successes by Liz Cousins, chair of Nossaman’s Infrastructure Group. It noted in “April 2026, two projects she had worked on for years reached milestones: in San Francisco, the Potrero Yard Modernization Project reached financial close, and in Los Angeles, the Hyperion Water Purification facility opened.” The publication said Liz “co-led the team advising the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency on the Potrero project, valued at $620 million.” The project will deliver a modern bus maintenance and storage facility equipped to serve the projected future needs of the city’s new battery electric bus fleet. Also highlighted was her role as lead for the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works on the Hyperion project, which is “part of the Pure Water Los Angeles Initiative, aimed at producing 200 million gallons of recycled water each day, reducing the city’s reliance on imported water and cutting wastewater discharges into Santa Monica Bay.” Commenting on her work, Liz said, “Helping develop critical infrastructure—such as better transportation options or cleaner, more affordable water—is deeply rewarding.” To close her interview, Liz—who joined Nossaman in 2014 from Clayton Utz, an Australian law firm—credited Corey Boock, her co-lead on the Potrero project, as a valuable mentor. “I have been fortunate to work side by side with Corey on a number of deals and he shared with me the many nuances of the US Infrastructure and PPP market, which really helped me hit the ground running and tailor my international knowledge for the US landscape.”

Brad Kuhn—who serves as chair of the Firm’s Eminent Domain & Inverse Condemnation Group—was lauded for helping “negotiate the sale of the Oakland A’s Coliseum Complex and handling the defense of a client involving land movement in the Rancho Palos Verdes area.” Additionally, Daily Journal highlighted Brad’s recent win for the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District in Sonoma County Superior Court. It wrote Brad “led a Nossaman team to a win for SMART after owners of land along the district’s rail line brought a quiet title action, arguing that they owned the fee interest beneath the tracks and that SMART held only an easement, one that barred it from building a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists…and sought $30 million in damages.” Highlighting the win, the publication wrote, “The judge upheld SMART’s fee title” and added that the victory was significant because “the stakes went beyond the damages claim, as SMART had funding and construction contracts in place for miles of new pathways. A loss could have invited claims from hundreds of other landowners and stalled the district’s future projects.” Discussing his experience, Brad said over the course of his career he has “now worked on over $30 billion in infrastructure projects, including projects that have shaped the development of California” adding that he “enjoys playing a role in improving the quality of life through infrastructure developments for the communities we live in.” He closed by saying how his father—who practiced law and is now a mediator—had a decided impact on how he approaches his career. “He always demonstrated how to practice professionally and the importance of building rapport with opposing counsel,” said Brad.

Artin Shaverdian was praised for his work with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Daily Journal wrote “when the VTA set out to extend BART service into downtown San Jose, it needed land before it could lay track. Artin has spent the last year helping the agency secure it, advising on property acquisition, relocation, environmental and right-of-way matters for the $4.7 billion BART Silicon Valley Phase II project.” Highlighting additional work from Artin, the publication said for the City of Ventura “he handles property acquisitions for the VenturaWaterPure project, which aims to give the city its own water supply.” Commenting on the project, Artin said, “the development demonstrates how critical infrastructure investments can enhance environmental sustainability while supporting future community growth.” Daily Journal went on to note Artin’s work “now extends beyond California, with recent engagements involving the Austin Transit Partnership in Texas and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.” Discussing his client engagements, Artin said, “My experience representing both public agencies and private property owners gives me a unique perspective, allowing me to anticipate concerns, bridge competing interests, and often resolve issues before they become disputes.” He closed by adding, “Whether negotiating with stakeholders, opposing counsel, property owners, public officials, or appearing before a court, credibility is often the most valuable asset a lawyer possesses.”