Our Attorneys:Andy Byrne Sean Kneafsey Michele Friend Shaun Swiger

Andy Byrne is a partner of Kneafsey & Friend LLP.  He is a transactional real estate attorney with experience in litigation.  Andy represents clients in real estate transactions involving the purchase, management, leasing, and sale of multi-million dollar commercial properties throughout the country. He has negotiated all types of commercial leases, purchase and sale agreements, disposition and development agreements, complex loan agreements, and performed time-sensitive due diligence involving complex title issues. Additionally, he has advised investors and developers with respect to issues, not only in purchase and sale of these assets, but in their daily operation.  Mr. Byrne previously worked at the law firm, Fainsbert Mase and Snyder LLP for several years as a transactional real estate attorney.

With respect to litigation, Mr. Byrne concentrates his practice on real estate disputes between landlords and tenants, including unlawful detainers.  Mr. Byrne previously worked at Redwine and Sherrill, a boutique law firm in Riverside, California, as a litigator, representing private property owners in eminent domain proceedings and municipal entities in general commercial litigation.

In addition to practicing law, Mr. Byrne has experience on the business side of transactions.  He worked several years for a real estate developer, Comstock Crosser and Associates Development Company (“Comstock”). While at Comstock Mr. Byrne was involved in many different aspects of the company, including site selection/acquisition, project management, and legal affairs. He was in charge of several multi-million dollar residential subdivision developments from beginning to end and negotiated purchase agreements, obtained entitlements and permits, and oversaw construction teams until project completion.  In 2005 Mr. Byrne started his own commercial real estate company, Byrne Properties, Inc., where he created limited partnerships to buy commercial properties.  As the general partner, Mr. Byrne added value to investments by taking advantage of development opportunities for underutilized properties, correcting management inefficiencies, and developing new marketing strategies for the properties.  Mr. Byrne's experience on the business side of real estate translates to a quick understanding of the issues and an ability to develop efficient and economical strategies for assisting his clients.

Mr. Byrne graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law and received his bachelor of Arts from UCLA

BAR ADMISSIONS:

• All California State Courts
• United States District Court, Central District of California

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE:

• Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Men’s Guild: Member of Board of Directors (2009-present)
• Tierra Del Sol: Member of Board of Directors (2007-2009)
• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles: Consultant on Sustainability Issues
• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Real Estate Broker and Realtor since 2003