Ballard Spahr Announces New Managing Partner and Two Newly Elected Partners in Los Angeles

Ballard Spahr is pleased to name a new Managing Partner and two newly elected Partners in its Los Angeles office.

Litigation Partner Brian D. Huben will begin his tenure as Office Managing Partner today. Mr. Huben represents commercial landlords and shopping center owners, managers, and developers in commercial litigation in state and federal courts. He also handles retail bankruptcies, representing landlords and other creditors throughout the United States, and often providing counsel to dozens of shopping center owners in each case. Mr. Huben advises commercial landlords in everyday operational matters, including evictions, breach of lease issues, public access, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The attorneys in Ballard Spahr's Los Angeles office serve clients across industries, with a focus on retail, media, financial services, and real estate. The firm has recruited—and actively continues to recruit—top-notch litigators and prominent figures in emerging markets, as well as attorneys from leading boutique firms.

"I am looking forward to my new role," Mr. Huben said. "The Los Angeles market has been supportive of my practice, and I couldn't be more pleased with the attorneys we have here. I am eager to develop our Los Angeles office to meet the diverse needs of our clients."

In addition, two of the nine attorneys elected to the firm partnership are resident in Los Angeles. Scott S. Humphreys and Siobhan M. O’Donnell became partners of the firm effective today.

Mr. Humphreys is a civil litigator with a diverse practice. He represents clients in federal and state trial courts in California, and in other courts throughout the country. He also has argued appeals in the Ninth Circuit and the California Courts of Appeal. As a member of Ballard Spahr's Media and Entertainment Group, Mr. Humphreys defends the media in defamation, privacy, and related First Amendment litigation, and has prosecuted high-profile entertainment matters. His docket also includes the defense and prosecution of cases for a number of Fortune 500 corporations on matters ranging from intellectual property enforcement to product liability, mass tort, and complex business and commercial real estate disputes.

"I have enjoyed watching Scott's career grow," said Geoffrey A. Kahn, Chair of Ballard Spahr's Litigation Department. "Thanks to his contributions, we will be able to serve our clients with even greater skill and effectiveness."

Siobhan O'Donnell leads Ballard Spahr's Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) Loan Origination Team and focuses on commercial real estate finance. She represents investment banks, commercial banks, specialty finance companies, and institutional lenders, as well as real estate developers and owners, in a variety of real estate financing transactions.

Ms. O'Donnell regularly advises clients in permanent and bridge loan origination, CMBS conduit loans, construction loans, preferred equity transactions, mezzanine loans, and other subordinate financing structures. She also counsels clients in matters involving the acquisition and disposition of real estate.

"Siobhan has been an important member of our Real Estate Finance practice for many years," said Dominic J. De Simone, Co-Chair of Ballard Spahr's Finance Department. "Her experience and tenacity, and the extraordinary service she provides to our clients, help make our team an invaluable resource to clients. I couldn't be more pleased to welcome her into the partnership."