Maryland Bar Association Names Ballard Spahr's Raymond Truitt Real Property Practitioner of the Year for 2018

Raymond G. Truitt—a partner in Ballard Spahr's Baltimore office known for his work in commercial real estate financing, leasing, development, and restructuring—has been selected as the Distinguished Maryland Real Property Practitioner for 2018 by the Real Property Section of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA).

The award recognizes one Maryland-based real estate attorney each year for outstanding professional accomplishments, contributions to the profession and community, integrity, and collegiality. Mr. Truitt—Ballard Spahr's Managing Partner for Finance and Operations and former Managing Partner of the firm’s Baltimore office—has represented prominent companies and institutions in major development projects and financing transactions throughout the state, as well as regionally and nationally. He is a member of the firm's Management Committee and its Diversity and Inclusion Council and has been recognized for his community service, including leadership in providing pro bono representation in support of equal access to the justice system.

Mr. Truitt will be presented the award on June 15 at the Section's meeting at the MSBA annual meeting.

"We're thrilled for Ray and proud to be associated with someone who has achieved so much at such a high level of endeavor," said Jon M. Laria, Managing Partner of Ballard Spahr's Baltimore office. "His work is exemplary and his dedication to the community and our profession is a source of pride for all of us at Ballard. Ray is a mentor and example to his colleagues in Baltimore and, particularly through his leadership positions within the firm, throughout our nationwide network of offices as well. Everything Ray does, he does with skill and enthusiasm, so it's great to see him recognized."

In addition to his active participation with the MSBA, Mr. Truitt has held leadership roles within other organizations, including the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Johns Hopkins University Edward St. John Real Estate Program Advisory Board, the Board of Advisors of the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola University Maryland, and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. He is a past recipient of the Champions for Justice Award from the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau for his leadership and support of the Bureau's Equal Justice Council. Mr. Truitt has served as an adjunct faculty member at The University of Baltimore School of Law and at Johns Hopkins University.

"I'm humbled and honored to join my partners who have received the Distinguished Practitioner honor—Morty Fisher and Roger Winston," Mr. Truitt said. "And I'm grateful to the MSBA for the opportunity it has given me and many of my Ballard colleagues to contribute our skills and energy to fellow MSBA members, the profession, and the public."

Ballard Spahr has a long history of distinguished service to the MSBA and its Real Property Section, with numerous attorneys having served in leadership positions within the association.

Mr. Truitt is a member of the firm's Real Estate Department, which comprises more than 120 attorneys throughout Ballard Spahr's national network of 15 offices. The Baltimore office is an epicenter of the firm's national real estate practice, and attorneys based here have worked on many of the most significant projects that have shaped the city, region, and country.