Kira Teshima Conlon

About Kira Teshima Conlon

Kira helps real estate developers, including public institutions, secure land use and zoning entitlements for a broad spectrum of residential, mixed-use, commercial, industrial, and educational institution projects throughout California. Kira’s extensive entitlement background is complemented by her deep CEQA experience. Kira has been an engaged leader in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community for over a decade. Among her many accomplishments, she serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Little Tokyo Service Center; the Board of Directors of the U.S-Japan Council; the Board of Governors of the Japanese American Bar Association (JABA)(serving as President in 2021); and the Board of Directors of the JABA Educational Foundation. She was recognized as a Southern California Rising Star in 2020 through 2022 by the publishers of Super Lawyers. In 2022 and 2023, Kira was named among the “Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. In 2023, Kira was recognized with the prestigious Best Under 40 award by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, which is awarded to talented individuals within the AAPI legal community nationwide who have achieved prominence and distinction in their fields of endeavor and demonstrated a strong commitment to AAPI civic or community affairs.

Experience

1. Partner

   Sheppard

   Mar 2021 — Present · Los Angeles, CA, US

Education

• Southwestern Law School

  Doctor of Law (J.D.)

  2009 — 2012

• UC San Diego

  BA, International Studies - Economics

• Doshisha University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Japanese Studies

  2005 — 2006