Damon O. Barry is the Managing Partner of Ballard Spahr's Denver and Boulder offices and is a member of the firm's Senior Leadership Team. As an experienced M&A and government affairs attorney, Damon solves problems for his clients and assists companies with complex business and legal transactions.
He advises and represents both buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, and sophisticated commercial transactions. Damon’s clients include directors and executives of public companies, owners of closely held companies, executives and directors of government agencies and others in a wide range of industries including software and technology, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, real estate, cannabis, financial services, government and manufacturing. He also advises professional athletes and coaches on sports law matters.
A former in-house counsel, Damon routinely advises corporate legal departments as well as serves as outside general counsel for middle-market companies.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented a national self-storage company in the negotiations of a senior debt facility for the acquisitions of a multi-property, multi-state portfolio of self-storage properties
- Represented a national self-storage company in the formation of a joint venture with an investment manager to acquire the company’s storage property portfolio. Additionally, the self-storage company entered into a separate limited partnership for the purpose to acquire, own, operate, finance, improve, lease and sell self-storage facilities throughout the country
- Led many private acquisition and disposition transactions ranging in size from $1 million to $250 million, negotiating the definitive agreements, associated documentation, and coordinating deal teams
- Represents clients (airport concessionaires) in multiple restaurants and bar concepts opening in several international airports in the United States, as well as in negotiation of expansions and new ventures
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
Association for Corporate Growth (Denver Chapter)
National Bar Association
Sam Cary Bar Association
Governor Ritter's Economic Development and International Trade Transition Advisory Committee (former member, gubernatorial appointee)
State of Colorado Statutory Advisory Committee to the Property Tax Administrator (former chair, gubernatorial appointee)
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Denver), 2025
Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Nebraska College of Law
The Legal 500 US, mergers and acquisitions – middle-market (sub-$500m), 2017-2019
Board Memberships & Community Service
Trustee, University of Nebraska Foundation
Trustee, The Denver Foundation
Board of Director, National Association of Corporate Directors (Colorado Chapter)
Credentials
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D. 2000)
University of Washington (B.A. 1994)
Member of varsity football team that made three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances and won the 1991 National Championship
All PAC-10 Academic Team
Admissions
Colorado