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Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Industry Group

Real Estate Development & Construction

Representation for every stakeholder in the development and construction process, from entitlement through project closeout, in California's demanding regulatory environment.

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Who We Serve

Clients We Represent in Real Estate Development & Construction

01

Commercial & Industrial Developers

Counsel on entitlement, transactions, financing, and disputes for commercial and industrial development projects.

02

Homebuilders

Representation of residential builders on land acquisition, entitlement, contracts, and construction disputes.

03

Insurers & Underwriters

Coverage, defense, and dispute counsel for insurers and underwriters involved in construction risk.

04

General Contractors

Contract, payment, mechanics' lien, and litigation counsel for general contractors.

05

Subcontractors & Trades

Counsel on contracts, payment disputes, lien rights, and litigation for subcontractors and trades.

06

Design Professionals

Representation of architects, engineers, and other design professionals on contracts and professional liability.

07

Agents & Brokers

Transactional and dispute counsel for real estate agents and brokers.

Overview

How We Serve Our Clients

Wanger Jones Helsley represents every stakeholder in California's development and construction process, from commercial and industrial developers and homebuilders to general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, insurers, and brokers. The firm guides projects from entitlement through closeout and stands ready when disputes arise.

Development and construction matters span real estate transactions, land use and entitlement, contracts, financing, and litigation. The firm's real estate, environmental, and litigation attorneys work together so a project facing an entitlement question, a payment dispute, and a construction defect claim can stay with one firm.

Whether a client is entitling a commercial project, building homes, performing as a general contractor or subcontractor, or insuring construction risk, the firm brings transactional skill and trial-tested litigation depth to California's demanding development and construction environment, guiding stakeholders from the earliest stages of a project through closeout and any disputes that follow.

Our Approach

What to Expect from WJH

— 01

Industry Knowledge

The firm understands the operational, regulatory, and commercial realities of this sector, so counsel is grounded in how the client's business actually works, not legal theory alone.

— 02

Full-Service

Transactional, regulatory, and litigation attorneys work side by side, so a client can handle deals, compliance, and disputes under one roof rather than across several firms.

— 03

Senior Attention

Experienced shareholders and of-counsel handle the substantive work, giving clients direct access to senior counsel rather than layers of delegation.

The Team

Attorneys Serving This Industry

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Marisa L. Balch, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Marisa L. Balch
Of Counsel
Fresno
Nicolas R. Cardella, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Nicolas R. Cardella
Shareholder
Fresno
Hunter C. Castro, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Hunter C. Castro
Shareholder
Fresno
Jay A. Christofferson, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Jay A. Christofferson
Shareholder
Fresno
Kathleen DeVaney, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Kathleen DeVaney
Of Counsel
Fresno
Robert E. Donlan, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Robert E. Donlan
Shareholder
Sacramento
Troy T. Ewell, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Troy T. Ewell
Shareholder
Fresno
Shawnda M. Grady, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Shawnda M. Grady
Of Counsel
Sacramento
Amanda G. Hebesha, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Amanda G. Hebesha
Shareholder
Fresno
Michael S. Helsley, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Michael S. Helsley
Shareholder
Fresno
Timothy Jones, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Timothy Jones
Shareholder
Fresno
John P. Kinsey, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
John P. Kinsey
Shareholder
Fresno
Scott D. Laird, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Scott D. Laird
Shareholder
Fresno
Jeffrey B. Pape, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Jeffrey B. Pape
Of Counsel
Fresno
Giulio A. Sanchez, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Giulio A. Sanchez
Shareholder
Fresno
Patrick D. Toole, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Patrick D. Toole
Shareholder
Fresno
Kurt F. Vote, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Kurt F. Vote
Shareholder
Fresno
Steven K. Vote, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Steven K. Vote
Shareholder
Fresno
Riley C. Walter, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Riley C. Walter
Shareholder
Fresno
Track Record

Representative Matters

Wanger Jones Helsley's public-record matters, including cases argued before the California Courts of Appeal, the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court, are presented on the firm's Select Cases page with the applicable prior-results disclaimer.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Who does WJH represent in real estate development and construction?
Wanger Jones Helsley represents commercial and industrial developers, homebuilders, general contractors, subcontractors and trades, design professionals, insurers and underwriters, and agents and brokers. The firm counsels every stakeholder in the development and construction process, from entitlement through project closeout and into any disputes that follow.
Does WJH handle construction disputes and litigation?
Yes. Wanger Jones Helsley's litigation attorneys handle construction disputes, including payment claims, mechanics' liens, construction defect matters, and contract litigation. Because the firm also handles the transactional and entitlement side of development, contested matters stay with attorneys already familiar with the project.
Can WJH guide a development project through entitlement?
Yes. Wanger Jones Helsley counsels developers and builders through land acquisition, entitlement, and the land use and environmental approvals California projects require, coordinated with its real estate and environmental attorneys. The firm guides projects from the earliest stages through construction and closeout.
Does WJH represent contractors and subcontractors?
Yes. Wanger Jones Helsley advises general contractors, subcontractors, and trades on construction contracts, payment and lien rights, and litigation. The firm also represents design professionals on contracts and professional liability and insurers on construction risk, giving it perspective across the construction chain.
Why choose WJH for California development and construction matters?
Wanger Jones Helsley pairs transactional real estate skill with trial-tested litigation depth and understands California's demanding regulatory and entitlement environment from offices in Fresno and Sacramento. That combination lets developers, builders, and contractors handle both the deal and any dispute with one firm.
Who at WJH handles real estate development and construction matters?
Wanger Jones Helsley's development and construction work is handled by shareholders and of-counsel attorneys, primarily in Fresno with additional counsel in Sacramento, including Nicolas Cardella, John Kinsey, Scott Laird, and others. The firm directs each client to the attorney whose experience best fits the project or dispute.
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Real Estate Development & Construction matter?

The firm's team is ready to provide the experienced counsel your matter requires. Contact WJH to discuss your situation.

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