Ballard Spahr Elevates Seven Attorneys to Firm Partnership

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Ballard Spahr announced today that seven attorneys have been elected to the firm partnership, effective July 1, 2023. The attorneys are based in the firm’s Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C. offices.

“These attorneys exemplify the highest values of our firm,” firm Chair Mark Stewart said. “When I look at them, I see excellence, ingenuity, and unparalleled dedication to clients. They have made tremendous contributions to the success of our firm, and we are immensely proud to congratulate them on their promotion.”

The new partners are:

Azer Akhtar, Finance, Washington, D.C.: Azer represents lenders in the financing of U.S. multifamily properties. He represents lenders and GSE loan servicers in the origination, sale, and servicing of commercial real estate loans under Freddie Mac’s CME and TAH product lines; Fannie Mae’s DUS and MAH product lines; and proprietary bridge loan products. Azer has closed hundreds of transactions, including both conventional and affordable originations, and has extensive experience with financings involving low-income housing tax credits, HAP contracts, preferred equity, ground leases, PILOTs, and tax abatements.

Lorene L. Boudreau, Litigation, Philadelphia: Lorene assists clients in environmental litigation matters and provides environmental counsel on regulatory and transactional matters. She is a co-leader of the firm’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Team, with more than a decade of experience advising a range of companies on climate change issues. Lorene has been active in regulatory matters in the energy sector, including national rulemakings under the Clean Air Act and litigation in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Supreme Court. She represents pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing companies in connection with CERCLA Superfund sites across the country. She also counsels clients on oil and gas leasing and conveyancing matters, and has litigated oil and gas title disputes. Her transactional experience includes handling environmental aspects of real estate and business acquisitions and divestitures, and public and project finance, through the representation of lenders, investors, developers, and underwriters, including counseling on potential environmental liabilities.

Christopher A. Jones, Real Estate, Philadelphia: Chris co-leads the firm's Tax - Real Estate Team. He advises clients on a wide range of federal, state, and local tax matters. His practice includes advising clients on the tax consequences of complex transactions and associated planning opportunities. Additionally, Chris assists clients in federal, state, and local tax audits and controversies, and has represented them in administrative appeals and in court. He provides clients tax advice in labor matters and other litigation, including withholding tax and information reporting issues. He also represents tax-exempt organizations in formation and compliance issues and during transactions.

Elizabeth K. McManus, Litigation, Philadelphia: Beth represents businesses and organizations nationwide—including global banks, consulting firms, major league sports teams, and health systems—who rely on her to lead complex employment litigation on sensitive topics involving race, gender, and age discrimination, as well as leave and accommodation matters. She has a wealth of experience litigating in federal and state courts across the country and before administrative agencies. Beth also has conducted high-profile internal investigations and counsels public and private employers on a wide range of employment issues, including workplace policies, terminations, and layoffs.

Charles E. Nelson, Litigation, Minneapolis: Charlie assists clients with issues related to bankruptcy, debtor-creditor rights, commercial financial disputes, real estate and construction disputes, probate and trust administration disputes, and pre- and post-judgment collection efforts. He has represented clients in state and federal courts in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota at the trial and appellate levels.

Jennifer Santangelo, Finance, Philadelphia: Jennifer advises on cash flow and asset-based loans; syndicated loans; real estate financing transactions; equipment leasing transactions; senior, subordinate, and mezzanine debt financing transactions for mergers, acquisitions, and purchases and sales of businesses; subscription lines of credit; and forbearance, workout, and restructuring of troubled loans. She also handles acquisition, construction, and receivables financing for timeshare projects across the nation. She has more than 25 years of experience, both in-house and in private practice. Her clients include financial institutions of all sizes, private equity firms, equipment finance companies, and other corporate and commercial organizations.

Charles D. Treece, Finance, Washington, D.C.: Chuck’s practice focuses on representing government-sponsored enterprises and their networks of seller/servicers and lenders in financing multifamily housing developments throughout the country. He is particularly experienced in financing affordable multifamily housing developments using tax-exempt debt and low income housing tax credits, and routinely structures, negotiates, and advises on transactions involving the credit enhancement (on a primary- or secondary-market basis), securitization, and/or direct placement of debt.

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.