Ms. Kira Teshima Conlon

Kira T. Conlon is an partner in Somos Law Group LLP’s Los Angeles office. She represents public and private sector clients in real estate development through all phases of the due diligence, acquisition, design, planning, permitting, and environmental compliance process. She has led complicated projects across varying sectors, flexing her expert ability and strategic approach to managing multiple consultants and stakeholders in a dynamic setting. Kira has advised clients on local, state, and federal land use and environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, California Subdivision Map Act, and California Housing Accountability Act. Her work includes some of the most transformative planning and research projects in urban communities spanning the commercial, residential, hospitality, and healthcare sectors. Kira also represents developers and management in traditional labor law issues, including union negotiations.

Her experience includes advising lenders, prospective buyers, and owners on development opportunities, risks, and value-based strategies through due-diligence investigations; negotiating and obtaining complex land use entitlements such as General Plan Amendments, Zone Changes, Development Agreements, Vesting Tentative Tract Maps, and Conditional Use Permits; and appearing before governmental agencies, commissions, and legislative bodies.

Kira has been an engaged leader in the Japanese American community for over a decade. In 2018, she was honored with the inaugural Bob Williams Award while at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, which recognizes Sheppard Mullin associates who provide exceptional service for the betterment of the firm and the community. Among her notable community work, Kira serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Little Tokyo Service Center and the Board of Governors of the Japanese American Bar Association, serving as President in 2021.

She has been recognized as a Southern California Rising Star in 2020 through 2022 by the publishers of Super Lawyers. In 2023, Kira was named “Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

Kira has a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego and a J.D. degree from Southwestern Law School.