WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 7, 2014) – Andrew E. Walsh, an attorney known for his work in commercial real estate transactions, including the purchase, sale, and financing of hotels for publicly traded real estate investment trusts, has joined Ballard Spahr as of counsel in the Real Estate Department, Roger D. Winston, Managing Partner of the firm’s Bethesda office, announced today.

Mr. Walsh is based in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office and will serve clients nationally and throughout the D.C. Metro area.

"Andrew's experience with diverse and complex real estate and finance transactions, coupled with his lifelong exposure to real estate law, is a tremendous complement to our regional and national real estate teams and provides us with even more resources to respond to our clients’ needs and business objectives," said Mr. Winston.

Mr. Walsh is experienced in negotiating and drafting contracts across a wide range of commercial areas and is particularly known for his work in the purchase, sale, and financing of hotels for publicly traded real estate investment trusts. He also has significant experience negotiating ground, office, and retail leases, and advising clients in the acquisition, financing, leasing, sale, and restructuring of multifaceted transactions. Mr. Walsh has represented hedge funds in stock purchases and acquisitions of triple-net-leased properties, and closed complex permanent and revolving credit facilities representing lenders, borrowers, and mezzanine borrowers.

Mr. Walsh joins Ballard Spahr from Hunton & Williams, where he was a member of the firm’s Capital Finance and Real Estate Department. While there, he played a leading role in representing a real estate investment trust in its going-private transaction, and he co-authored a brief for a successful Virginia commercial real estate tax litigation dispute, resulting in a significant tax benefit and tax return for the taxpayer.

“Ballard Spahr’s in-depth knowledge and experience in developing, structuring, and negotiating high-profile real estate transactions is a good match for me,” Mr. Walsh said. “I’m excited to be part of a firm with such a strong caliber of resources to help me serve clients and grow my practice, and I am thrilled to be part of the team.”

About Ballard Spahr

Ballard Spahr LLP, a national law firm with more than 500 lawyers in 14 offices in the United States, provides a range of services in litigation, business and finance, real estate, intellectual property, and public finance. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, life sciences and technology companies, health systems, investors and developers, government agencies and sponsored enterprises, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The firm combines a national scope of practice with strong regional market knowledge. For more information, please visit www.ballardspahr.com.