Experts to discuss future of real estate development, land preservation at 2004 Institute on real estate law and business

LOS ANGELES (April 19, 2004) -- Can real estate development and open-space preservation co-exist? What is the future of development and land use in Southern California? And what impact will these efforts have on the long-term health of our communities? These issues are at the core of the USC Law Institute-Los Angeles County Bar Association Benjamin S. Crocker Symposium on Real Estate Law and Business, to be held Thursday, April 22, at the Wilshire Grand Hotel.

Joe Edmiston, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and mastermind of the conversion of the Ahmanson Ranch property to protected open space, and Bob Santos, regional executive vice president of Lennar Communities and head of that company's efforts to expand large-scale community development holdings in Southern California, will discuss the future of land use, preservation and real estate development during a keynote luncheon presentation. The institute runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; the keynote presentation begins at noon.

Other presentations include a panel discussion about efforts to revitalize Los Angeles' downtown district, moderated by USC Law Professor George Lefcoe, an expert in urban land use. A session titled "Conan the Environmentalist" will discuss how Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is likely to manage the state's environmental resources while balancing development and business needs. Another session will focus on preventing military base closures and redeveloping closed bases.

Prominent speakers include George Mihlsten, Latham and Watkins; Bud Ovrom, CEO of the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles; Richard Gentilucci, senior vice president of Shamrock Holdings; Michael Gordon, mayor of El Segundo, Calif.; and Albert Praw, senior vice president of KB Homes. Complete program details and speaker listings are available at http://weblaw.usc.edu/academics/cle/realestate.cfm.

"The development, use and financing of commercial real estate is key to the well-being of Southern California," says Richard Shaffran, assistant dean at USC Law and director of the school's continuing legal education programs. "This institute brings together the decision-makers and the experts to discuss trends and analyze critical issues."

Cosponsored by USC Law and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the 2004 Institute on Real Estate Law and Business is one of six major conferences and institutes produced by the Continuing Legal Education Program at USC Law. The others focus on probate and trust, entertainment law, corporate counsel, intellectual property, and federal tax practice and policy. The CLE Program is crucial to USC Law's commitment to providing the finest continuing legal education available to the profession and the business community.

Reporters are invited to attend the Institute on Real Estate Law and Business free of charge. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Reservations and parking arrangements may be made by contacting the USC Law Office of Continuing Legal Education at (213) 740-2582 or cle@law.usc.edu. Other media inquiries may be directed to Melinda Vaughn, director of public relations, at (213) 740-9415 or mvaughn@law.usc.edu.