SAN FRANCISCO—The news isn't all bad; the commercial real estate industry can use times of drought to create efficiencies and seize new opportunities, says Manatt, Phelps &amp; Phillips in this <b>EXCLUSIVE</b> commentary.

LOS ANGELES—In today's environment, where deals are done every day by parties from different states for land in yet a third state, one waiver nuance is notable for the challenge it presents, says Manatt, Phelps &amp; Phillips LLP partners in this <b>EXCLUSIVE</b> commentary.

LOS ANGELES—In this <b>EXCLUSIVE</b> commentary, Manatt, Phelps &amp; Phillips partners say that if your property 'is burdened by an easement and you do not act reasonably, you could be liable for tort damages.'

SAN FRANCISCO-Local experts from Manatt, Phelps &amp; Phillips LLP say in this <b>EXCLUSIVE</b> commentary that the new rules present a number of compliance challenges to credit providers.

SAN FRANCISCO-In this <b>EXCLUSIVE</b> commentary, sources say that there is good news and bad news about the 2013 update to the Title-24 California Buildings Standards Code.

LOS ANGELES-The private developer wanting to play in this arena needs to include team members who are highly sensitive to the many unique and sometimes conflicting pressures on governmental agencies, says Manatt, Phelps &amp; Phillips LLP in this <b>EXCLUSIVE</b> commentary.

PALO ALTO, CA-Critics suggest that the limited number of zero net energy buildings foreshadow the impossibility of achieving any significant measure of success; however, the foregoing challenges should not be viewed as the death knell to zero net energy for high rise commercial buildings.

LOS ANGELES-Borrowers and guarantors in deals with swap obligations need to carefully check the lender's proposed provisions to be sure they comply, says Manatt Phelps &amp; Phillips partners in this <b>EXCLUSIVE</b> commentary.