News & Insights

SAN DIEGO (October 14, 2026) – Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson (CGS3) has been recognized in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal’s as a “Top Boutique” law firm for 2026. The annual list spotlights California’s highest performing boutique law firms – across all practice areas – in a special supplement published October 14th.

According to CGS3 founding partner Sean Southard, this recent recognition underscores his firm’s growing reputation as a recognized leader among California’s new generation of commercial real estate law firms. “CGS3 has continued to grow while remaining committed to the core values on which our firm was founded,” he said.  “As we look ahead, we remain focused on building upon that foundation while continuing to help clients navigate opportunities and challenges in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.”

Founded in 2013 by five longtime “Big Law” partners, CGS3 set out to build a firm that was “Different by Design” – redefining the commercial real estate law firm model. For founders Thomas Crosbie, Ray Gliner, Dana Schiffman, Sean Southard, and Craig Swanson, launching CGS3 was grounded in the belief that clients deserved more. Their commitment: a best-in-class experience driven by responsiveness, pragmatism, efficiency, teamwork and a professional yet entrepreneurial mindset.

That approach has paid off. Over the past year, CGS3 attorneys closed transactions covering more than 10 million square feet and $1 billion in real estate – spanning office, retail, multifamily, hospitality, industrial, mixed-use and life sciences properties. The firm added partners in Los Angeles and San Francisco, an associate in San Diego and a new practice specializing in sustainability and renewable energy.

With a proven track record and a relentless focus on client success, CGS3 continues to set the standard for what a modern real estate law firm can be.

The article can be read here as well as in the issue (subscription required).

About Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson LLP (CGS3)

CGS3 is a recognized leader among a new generation of commercial real estate law firms with practice areas covering the entire commercial real estate life cycle, including finance, acquisition/disposition, entity formation, tax, construction and development, land use, leasing, distressed asset workouts and dispute resolution.  Earning a reputation as one of California’s leading commercial real estate law firms, CGS3 recruits some of the state’s top real estate attorneys from both large corporate firms and senior in-house positions.  For more information, visit http://www.cgs3.com.