News & Insights

Joe von Meier named Construction Law Lawyer of the Year

Sean Gaffney named Landlord-Tenant Law Lawyer of the Year

SAN DIEGO (August 12, 2026) – Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson LLP (CGS3), a leading California commercial real estate law firm, recently announced that partners Joe von Meier and Sean Gaffney have each been named a 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” by RankWell, an independent, merit-based legal recognition program. von Meier was selected as RankWell’s California Construction Law Lawyer of the Year, and Gaffney was selected as RankWell’s California Landlord-Tenant Law Lawyer of the Year.

RankWell recognizes attorneys and law firms through a disciplined, criteria-based evaluation process that emphasizes demonstrated legal skill, the complexity and significance of matters handled, leadership within the profession, and ethical standing. The program does not accept payment for selection and does not rely on public voting, distinguishing it from more promotional industry rankings.

“Joe and Sean exemplify the caliber of legal counsel our clients rely on every day,” said Sean Southard, a founding partner of CGS3. “This recognition from RankWell reflects not only their individual skill and judgment, but the depth of experience our attorneys bring to the most complex real estate matters in California and beyond. We’re proud to see their work acknowledged in this way.”

As a CGS3 partner Gaffney has distinguished himself as one of California’s most effective landlord-tenant and real estate litigators, delivering business-minded outcomes in the high-stakes disputes that shape today’s commercial real estate market. A senior member of CGS3’s litigation practice, he advises investors, developers, landlords, business owners, and property stakeholders on risk mitigation – and steps in as a trusted advocate when litigation becomes unavoidable. His practice spans virtually every aspect of California real estate and commercial litigation: landlord-tenant disputes, failed real estate transactions, construction and development conflicts, corporate governance matters, insurance coverage disputes, easement and trespass claims, partition actions, and eminent domain proceedings.  Clients value not only his courtroom skill but his ability to find efficient, cost-conscious resolutions – outcomes that matter as much to a landlord protecting a multi-tenant asset as to a developer protecting a pipeline.

Gaffney holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of San Diego and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Since joining CGS3 in 2017 and rising to partner just two years later, von Meier has played a pivotal role in the firm’s continued growth, prominence, and reputation as a leader in sophisticated real estate and construction law. With a practice emphasizing development and construction-related transactional matters, he is widely regarded as a trusted advisor to leading developers, investors, owners, and construction firms – specializing in student housing, multifamily, luxury residential, and retail development and construction. He also drafts and negotiates design and consulting agreements and construction contracts for developers and end users of commercial, industrial, and residential projects nationwide, including preconstruction, architecture, and GMAX construction agreements for developments exceeding $1 billion in value and is licensed to practice law in California, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

von Meier holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a J.D. cum laude from University of Wisconsin Law School.

About RankWell

RankWell is an independent legal awards and recognition program that evaluates attorneys and law firms through a structured, merit-based review process. Selections are based on demonstrated professional excellence, including legal skill, the complexity of matters handled, leadership within the profession, and ethical standing. RankWell does not require payment for nomination or selection and does not base recognition on public voting or promotional activity. More information is available at rankwelllegal.com.

About Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson LLP (CGS3)

CGS3 is a recognized leader among a new generation of commercial real estate law firms.  The firm’s practice covers the full commercial real estate life cycle, including finance, acquisition/disposition, entity formation, tax, construction & development, land use, leasing, distressed asset workouts and dispute resolution.  CGS3 recruits top real estate attorneys from large corporate firms and senior in-house positions across the country.  For more information, visit http://www.cgs3.com.