Philip Douglas Kohn
Of Counsel
Philip Kohn’s practice concentrates on land use regulation, planning and zoning law, environmental law, eminent domain and inverse condemnation, civil rights and constitutional law, and general municipal affairs. He served as the City Attorney of the City of Laguna Beach from 1982 to 2023 and the City of Irvine from 2006 to 2013. Mr. Kohn obtained a BA, with honors, from California State University, Fullerton with a double major in Political Science and Sociology. He received a Masters in Social Sciences degree in Local Government Policy and Administration from the University of Birmingham, England, pursuant to a Marshall Scholarship from the British Government. Mr. Kohn obtained his J.D. from the University of California School of Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of the Law). He has worked at Rutan & Tucker since his graduation from law school and currently serves as co-General Counsel of the firm. In 2022, Mr. Kohn received the Marcus M. Kaufman Jurisprudence Award from the Orange County/Long Beach division of the Anti-Defamation League.
Ellis G. Wasson
Senior Counsel
Ellis Wasson's practice includes mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, and reorganization transactions, with an emphasis on structuring transactions to achieve tax efficient results for his clients. He also represents clients in tax controversy matters before the Internal Revenue Service, state taxing agencies, and in the US Tax Court. Mr. Wasson is senior counsel at Rutan &Tucker, where he was previously a partner. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he received his BS in accounting. Mr. Wasson received his J.D. from Western State University, his Master of Business Taxation from the University of Southern California, and his LL.M. from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is a member of the California bar and licensed to practice before the US Tax Court. Mr. Wasson is also licensed (inactive) as a certified public accountant (CPA) in California. Mr. Wasson has authored several chapters included in CEB publications as well as technical articles for other publications, including the Orange County Business Journal. He has taught a number of continuing education courses over the years, including courses on partnership taxation, as well as selecting and forming business entities.
David Paul Lanferman
Partner
Dave Lanferman is a land use lawyer, handling applications and negotiations for development and environmental approvals, as well as litigation involving the subdivision and development processes. His practice includes extensive experience in the analysis and litigation of development impact fees and exactions of all types, including school facilities fees, environmental mitigation in-lieu fees, and other conditions of approval. Mr. Lanferman handles a wide range of litigation of regulatory and land use issues. He has been involved in many significant cases and appellate decisions involving the Mitigation Fee Act, CEQA, vested rights, permits, and other similar issues. Mr. Lanferman has served as vice chair of the State Bar's Real Estate Law Section, and as co-chair of its Zoning & Land Use sub-section. He was a co-founder of the Alameda County Bar's Real Estate Section, and a director of the Alameda County Bar, as well as president of the Southern Alameda County Bar Association. Mr. Lanferman has frequently appeared as a speaker on land use, CEQA, environmental/regulatory issues, and other real estate topics for CEB; State and local Bar associations; and several industry and professional associations. He has been included in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for Northern California Land Use and Litigation in recent years.
