The San Diego law firm of Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith, LLP is pleased to welcome Karen M. ZoBell as Partner.  She will be joining the firm's transactional department.

Previously a partner at DLA Piper (formerly Gray Cary), ZoBell's practice focuses on the areas of general real estate, including acquisition and development, land use, permitting, entitlement, and resolving environmental and hazardous materials issues relating to real estate transactions. She has represented land owners and developers in obtaining land use entitlements and negotiating obligations for infrastructure and environmental mitigation from local, state and federal governmental agencies for master planned communities; residential, commercial, industrial and retail projects; and mitigation banks.

"We are so pleased to welcome Karen to our firm," said Paul Metsch, managing partner of Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith. "Her significant expertise in real estate, land use and environmental matters will be a great addition to our firm. Karen's decision to join the firm reflects Solomon Ward's and Karen's commitment to providing excellent legal services at reasonable rates to our clients and supporting the San Diego business community."

ZoBell is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and recognized as a San Diego Super Lawyer.  The San Diego Daily Transcript has named her among San Diego County's Top Attorneys.

"I am extremely proud to join the real estate practice at Solomon Ward," ZoBell said. "I have long admired the firm for its extensive expertise, extremely competent attorneys and a real estate practice that is second to none. I look forward to contributing to the high quality of service that is found at this unique, diverse firm."

Solomon Ward's real estate practice encompasses all phases of real estate investment, financing (including workouts and restructurings), development, and ownership and operation. Clients include Fortune 500 companies, commercial and investment banks, large real estate and property management companies, large and emerging high-technology corporations and individual entrepreneurs.

Despite her busy law practice, ZoBell has volunteered with multiple organizations.  Currently she is  co-chair of the Zoning And Land Use Subcommittee of State Bar's Real Property Section (2002 - present), a member of the CBIA Land Use & Economic Growth Task Force (1998 - present),  and is an active member of the Building Industry Association's Metropolitan Legislation Committee (1998 - present) and Green Building Task Force (2009).  ZoBell is also a member of the American Bar Association- Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, the San Diego County Bar Association- Real Property Section, Environmental Law/Land Use Section and the San Diego Lawyer's Club.

ZoBell received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis in 1981, where she graduated with highest honors. She received her law degree from Stanford University in 1986.