Nine Attorneys Named Partners at Best Best & Krieger
2026 Promotions and Executive Committee Elections Signal Fresh Momentum for the Firm
Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) attorneys Jennifer Bradlee, Matthew Cody, Albert Maldonado, Hannah Park, Jin Hee Park, Derra Purnell, Andrew Saghian, Ryan Stager and Holland Stewart have been selected to join the firm’s partnership effective January 1, 2026. In addition, the Partnership elected Lutfi Kharuf and re-elected Scott Ditfurth as members of the firm’s Executive Committee, effective immediately.
“We are fortunate to have many strong leaders at BBK and 2026 brings exciting new roles across the firm,” said Managing Partner, Charity Schiller. “Making Partner at BBK requires exceptional commitment, skill and service — and we are proud to welcome this outstanding group and look forward to the contributions they will make.”
Jennifer Bradlee is a member of BBK’s Public Finance practice group, where she guides public agencies through the full lifecycle of complex financing projects. She advises clients on matters ranging from facilities funding and bond elections to Mello-Roos community facilities districts, lease financings, taxation and public contracts. With many years of experience serving as bond, special, disclosure and underwriter’s counsel, Jennifer supports public entities across California in advancing critical community projects.
Matthew Cody is a member of BBK’s Municipal Law and Real Estate practice groups. He advises clients on matters relating to economic development, real estate and affordable housing. He brings extensive experience counseling clients on real estate transactions, lease disputes, contract negotiations, and election law. With a background spanning public agency counsel work and real estate litigation, Matthew supports clients in navigating complex projects and regulatory frameworks across California and Oregon.
Albert Maldonado is a member of BBK’s Municipal Law and Special Districts practice groups, where he advises cities and special districts on land use, transparency, ethics and a wide range of public law matters. He regularly supports public agencies with contract drafting and negotiations, planning and zoning issues and compliance with laws such as the Brown Act, Public Records Act and Political Reform Act. As counsel to multiple public entities, Albert helps clients navigate complex regulatory requirements and advance community-focused initiatives.
Hannah Park is a member of BBK’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice group, where she advises public agencies and private developers navigating complex state and federal environmental laws. She focuses on compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, supported by broad litigation experience and a background counseling public agencies on environmental and local governance issues. Drawing on her regulatory and litigation experience, Hannah helps clients move projects forward while meeting demanding environmental requirements.
Jin Hee Park is a member of BBK’s Business Services and Health Care practice groups, where she focuses on counseling health plans, hospitals, health care systems and providers on contracting, reimbursement and regulatory compliance. With licensure in seven states and extensive multi-state litigation experience, she represents health care businesses and insurers in matters involving reimbursement, contract and business disputes and related claims. Jin Hee’s broad legal and industry knowledge allows her to guide clients through complex regulatory and operational challenges in the health care landscape.
Derra Purnell is a member of BBK’s Municipal Law Practice Group and leads a team of attorneys in the Texas office. Derra serves as special counsel to local governments and nonprofit entities associated with local governments, including counties, housing authorities, housing finance corporations, cities, and special districts. She routinely assists local government clients with complex federally-funded affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. Derra also assists local government clients with drafting, updating and implementing federal and state procurement policies, procedures and processes. Derra helps her clients to navigate the interactions between federal and state law, as well as identifying opportunities for the implementation of local policies that achieve a local government’s goals while also increasing efficiency and positive results for staff and elected officials.
Andrew Saghian is a litigation attorney in BBK’s Municipal Law and Business practice groups. He leads and defends high-stakes disputes for public agencies and private clients, with a primary focus on eminent domain, inverse condemnation, real property and title issues, contract disputes and other commercial litigation matters, including shareholder/partnership rights and corporate/partnership dissolutions. He also handles tort claims, civil rights actions and tax appeals. Andrew has experience in trial work (both jury and bench trials), arbitrations, mediations, and appeals. Drawing on substantial courtroom experience, Andrew helps clients navigate complex legal challenges with clarity and precision.
Ryan Stager is a member of BBK’s Municipal Law practice group, where he advises public agencies on a wide range of transactional matters, with a particular focus on land use and housing law issues. He advises clients through complex statutory frameworks, including but not limited to, State Density Bonus Law, Housing Element Law, the Housing Accountability Act, the Housing Crisis Act (SB 330), the Permit Streamlining Act, and state housing laws requiring streamlined ministerial review and approval. Ryan also advises public agencies in connection with their affordable housing programs, including negotiating agreements with affordable and market-rate developers and implementing local inclusionary housing programs. With a background in water and environmental law, as well as a longstanding involvement with local government compliance requirements, Ryan helps municipalities navigate evolving legal and regulatory challenges.
Holland Stewart is a member of BBK’s Special Districts practice group, where he advises public and private clients on a broad range of commercial, environmental, and governance matters. He serves as general counsel to a variety of public agencies, including Desert Water Agency, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, and the Chino Valley Fire District, and private entities such as the Arrowhead Lake Association.
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