Goldfarb & Lipman

What Goldfarb & Lipman does

Goldfarb & Lipman LLP is a California-based law firm founded in 1971 that provides specialized legal services in affordable housing, community economic development, land use and entitlements, municipal law, public finance, fair housing, real estate tax and syndications (including LIHTC, NMTC, historic, and renewable energy tax credits), employment, and litigation. The firm is organized as a Limited Liability Partnership, holds Women's Business Enterprise (WBENC) certification, and operates from offices in Oakland (headquarters), Los Angeles, San Diego, and Waikoloa, Hawaii, serving clients across California and Hawaii.

The firm serves three primary client segments: public agencies (counties, cities, and housing authorities), nonprofit housing developers and community development organizations, and for-profit developers engaged in affordable housing and mixed-use real estate. Its practice is built around the legal complexity of California housing law, federal housing programs (HUD, USDA, RAD), CEQA/NEPA compliance, tax credit syndications, and nonprofit governance. Many of the firm's attorneys joined with prior experience as HUD attorney-advisors, city or county counsel, planning directors, and in-house counsel at major nonprofit developers, which the firm markets as a key differentiator.

Goldfarb & Lipman generates revenue through professional legal fees on a quote-based, matter-by-matter basis, with no publicly disclosed pricing. The firm acquires clients primarily through professional reputation, thought leadership (publications, law alerts, speaking engagements at organizations such as Housing California, the League of California Cities, the ABA Forum on Affordable Housing, and NPH), and direct relationships in the affordable housing and community development ecosystem. There is no indication of any technology platform, software product, or AI/ML capability; the firm's competitive position rests on regulatory expertise, talent, and brand reputation built over 50+ years.

Name

Goldfarb & Lipman

Legal name

Goldfarb & Lipman LLP

Website

https://goldfarblipman.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Goldfarb & Lipman LLP is a California-based law firm founded in 1971 that provides specialized legal services in affordable housing, land use, municipal law, public finance, tax credit syndications, and real estate to public agencies, nonprofit developers, and for-profit developers across California and Hawaii.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services: The firm provides legal services in areas including real estate, affordable housing, land use, municipal law, community economic development, public finance, fair housing, real estate tax and syndications, employment, and litigation. Revenue is generated through professional legal fees, likely billable hours or fixed fees for specific legal services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Goldfarb & Lipman LLP is a California-based law firm providing specialized legal counsel in affordable housing, real estate, land use, municipal law, community economic development, public finance, fair housing, tax credit syndication, employment, and litigation. The firm serves public agencies, nonprofit housing developers, and for-profit developers, representing them in development, financing, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution matters from project conception through completion.

Product overview

Goldfarb & Lipman LLP is a law firm offering legal services across multiple practice areas rather than a technology product. The firm provides specialized legal counsel through its practice areas including Affordable Housing, Land Use & Entitlements, Litigation, New Market Tax Credits, Nonprofit Entities, Public Agencies, Real Estate, Tax Credits/Syndication, Housing Authorities, and Employment Law. These practice areas function as service lines that are often used in combination to serve clients in complex transactions and matters, particularly for affordable housing development and community economic development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Affordable Housing Legal Services Legal representation for affordable housing developers, public agencies, and housing authorities in development, financing, and management of low and moderate-income housing projects. Covers construction and design contracts, cooperatives, fair housing, finance, homeownership, nonprofit entities, prevailing wages, property acquisition and leasing, property management, and property tax exemptions.
• Land Use & Entitlements Legal Services
• Litigation Services
• New Markets Tax Credits Services
• Nonprofit Entities Legal Services
• Public Agencies Legal Services
• Real Estate Legal Services
• Tax Credits/Syndication Services
• Housing Authorities Legal Services
• Employment Law Services

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• League of California CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe firm maintains an ongoing relationship with the League of California Cities, with attorneys regularly speaking at League events and contributing to the Municipal Law Handbook.
• American Bar Association (Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple attorneys participate in the ABA Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law, contributing to professional development and thought leadership in the field.
• Housing CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe firm regularly presents at Housing California conferences and contributes to affordable housing advocacy in California.
• Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAttorneys regularly present at NPH events and training programs on affordable housing topics including construction contracts and funding.
• California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirm attorneys present at CALED annual conferences on community economic development tools and redevelopment issues.
• California Lawyers Association (Real Property Section)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAttorneys participate in CLA Real Property Section activities, including speaking at annual meetings and writing publications.
• San Diego Housing FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAttorneys speak at San Diego Housing Federation conferences on fair housing and affordable housing topics.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cox Castle & Nicholson LLP: California-focused law firm specializing in real estate, land use, and natural resources law. Comparable to Goldfarb & Lipman on real estate development, entitlements, and transactions involving developers and public agencies.
• Hanson Bridgett LLP: Northern California law firm with strong real estate, affordable housing, public agency, and community development practices. Closely comparable to Goldfarb & Lipman in serving public agencies, nonprofits, and developers on housing transactions and municipal matters.
• Buchalter Nemer: West Coast law firm with a strong real estate, land use, and affordable housing practice serving public and private sector clients. Comparable to Goldfarb & Lipman in representing developers and public agencies on California housing and real estate matters.
• Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP: California-based law firm with a leading real estate and land use practice serving developers, public agencies, and investors. Comparable to Goldfarb & Lipman on real estate transactions, entitlements, and CEQA work, though broader in scope.
• Best Best & Krieger LLP: California-based law firm with a deep municipal law, public agency, and real estate practice. Directly comparable to Goldfarb & Lipman in serving cities, counties, and special districts on housing, land use, and public finance matters.

Broad incumbents

• Holland & Knight LLP: National law firm with a significant California real estate and affordable housing practice. Competes with Goldfarb & Lipman on public agency, developer, and nonprofit housing matters with a deeper bench and broader geographic coverage.
• Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP: California-based full-service law firm with real estate, land use, municipal, and affordable housing practices. Competes with Goldfarb & Lipman on California public agency and developer work as part of a broader service portfolio.
• Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP: Large AmLaw firm with substantial California real estate, public finance, and affordable housing practices. Competes for the same mandates as Goldfarb & Lipman on large multifamily, public finance, and tax-credit transactions but offers broader capabilities.
• Nixon Peabody LLP: National law firm with a recognized affordable housing and community development practice. Comparable to Goldfarb & Lipman on LIHTC, mixed-finance, and public housing authority work, though serving a broader national client base.
• Foley & Lardner LLP: National law firm with an established affordable housing, real estate, and public finance practice. Overlaps with Goldfarb & Lipman on LIHTC transactions, HUD programs, and housing authority counsel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goldfarb-&-lipman-llp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles41 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Goldfarb & Lipman