(CHICAGO) Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP announced today that it has been named “Law Firm of the Year” in Litigation – Real Estate as part of the 2013 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” ranking.

“This is a tremendous honor for Katten and especially for the firm’s Real Estate Litigation Practice,” said Vincent A. F. Sergi, Katten’s national managing partner. “Our real estate litigators are a distinguished, well-respected group of individuals that provide sophisticated, high-value counsel and leadership to their clients. This designation is richly deserved and underscores that they are the best in the business.”

Katten was given the top designation based on a combination of positive feedback on surveys of clients about the firm’s work, the high regard expressed by lawyers in other firms in the same area, and information the firm provided in response to a survey that was sent.

“Being given the top designation in this area is a testament to the strong dedication of our real estate litigators to their clients and the excellent work they do day in and day out,” said David Bryant, national head of Katten’s Real Estate Practice. “It also speaks to the breadth of our real estate practice, and the strength and experience of our attorneys to provide practical advice and counsel throughout the lifecycle of a project.”

“Our real estate litigation team is relentless and thrives on being challenged to find the best, most innovative way to solve the issues our clients are facing,” said Sheldon Zenner, national head of Katten’s Litigation Practice. “This is a wonderful tribute and we would like to especially thank our many wonderful clients for partnering with us and giving us their confidence.”

Katten’s national Real Estate Litigation Practice blends a broad knowledge of real estate law and business practice with well-honed skills in litigation and alternative dispute resolution. The firm has been retained by many of the nation’s leading lenders, developers and institutional property owners.

Katten attorneys have extensive litigation experience with borrowers over loan commitments, loan defaults and associated debt and collateral recovery; with secured and mezzanine lenders over priority and intercreditor obligations; and with mechanic lienors over priority rights to the real property and loan proceeds.

The firm’s experience litigating contract disputes, construction claims and zoning disputes allows attorneys to help owners, developers, general contractors, construction managers and trade contractors effectively manage challenges related to the development and construction of retail properties, condominiums, office buildings, hotels and industrial properties. Katten also represents real estate investors in matters involving issues of control and distribution of funds; disputes involving real estate partnerships and limited liability companies, closely held and family corporations; and loan participations and securitized loan pools.

U.S. News and Best Lawyers® together rank nearly 10,000 firms in 119 practice areas in 177 metropolitan areas and 7 states. In each of the 75 practice areas ranked nationally, only one law firm receives the “Law Firm of the Year” designation.