LOS ANGELES-California-based real estate and business law firm Allen Matkins promoted six associate-level attorneys to senior counsel this week. The sizable promotion is the most recent of several employment additions from the firm this year, including 12 new lateral attorneys and seven law school graduates.

Among those promoted to senior counsel is litigation attorney Marissa M. Dennis, who works out of the Los Angeles office and specializes in business and commercial real estate and finance litigation; real estate attorneys Michael D. Kostecka and Erin L. Murphy from the Los Angeles office, who represent and negotiate leases on behalf of landlords, and Crystal Lofing from the Century City office, who has closed commercial acquisitions and dispositions for some of the firm's top clients, totaling $3 billion; and bankruptcy and creditors' rights attorney Andrea M. Schoor, who works in the Los Angeles office representing lenders, receivers, companies and individuals in litigation and bankruptcy matters. In addition to the promotions in the Los Angeles area, corporate and securities attorney Geoffrey E. Perusse from Allen Matkins' San Francisco office was promoted to senior counsel as well.

"This group of new senior counsel has demonstrated during their tenure as associates to be expert, efficient and client-focused attorneys creating value for their clients and the firm," says David L. Osias, managing partner at Allen Matkins. "They have proactively taken on leadership roles amongst their peers and each exemplify what it means to be a rising star both in and out of the office. Congratulations to each of them for this recognition."

In May, Allen Matkins elected five new partners—Matthew Fogt, Alan Hearty, Brian Kintz, Alexander Nestor and Keith Yandell, who came from markets throughout California, including San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles—and added attorney Shelby Q. McMahon to its Orange County office. McMahon specializes in acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, development and real estate finance.