Mark Pollak has practiced for more than 40 years with a focus on the financing and development of complex real estate projects, sports stadiums, and public-private partnerships. His clients include local institutions and companies as well as national corporations and major real estate developers and investors in the mid-Atlantic area.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented leading spice and flavorings maker McCormick in negotiating the company's agreement to move its corporate headquarters to a 339,000-square-foot building on a 20-acre site in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The move from the current headquarters in nearby Sparks will enable the company to consolidate more than 900 employees who now work at several existing sites and positions the company for future growth. Ballard Spahr attorneys performed due diligence on the participating entities as well as the property, and negotiated the condominium regime and McCormick's lease.
- Represents the developers of the massive, 235-acre Baltimore Peninsula redevelopment project in Baltimore. The project will require an investment of approximately $6.9 billion over roughly 25 years and includes an authorized $660 million tax increment financing (the largest TIF in city history). The firm is handling all legal aspects of the project, has appeared on the company's behalf at high-profile public hearings, and helped negotiate a groundbreaking community benefits agreement with the city. The development will include a new global headquarters, residences including affordable housing, retail facilities, and extensive public amenities.
- Represents Morgan Stanley, the global financial services firm, in its expansion in a number of locations throughout the eastern United States. Our work includes assisting the client in lease negotiations as well as negotiations for tax credits and state and local incentives.
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL)
Recognition & Accomplishments
Chambers USA, real estate law (Maryland), highest ranking (band one), 2003-2024
The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law (Baltimore), 1995-2025; "Lawyer of the Year," Real Estate Law (Baltimore), 2013, 2019
Named "Highly Regarded" by IFLR 1000 for Real Estate, 2021-2024
The Legal 500 US, real estate and construction – real estate, 2012, 2017-2020; real estate - real estate, 2012, 2017-2020
Recipient, The Daily Record's 2005 Maryland Leadership in Law Award for outstanding contributions to the legal profession and the community, and for his dedication to promoting professional and community leadership in future generations
Speaking Engagements
Frequent lecturer and participant in local, regional, and national panels on real estate development and municipal finance topics
Board Memberships & Community Service
Baltimore Children's Museum, member, Board and Executive Committee
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc., member, Board and Executive Committee
Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, member, Board and Executive Committee
Publications
The Playing Grounds of College Football – A Comprehensive Directory, 1869 to Today (McFarland & Co., 2019)
"Maryland's Historic Tax Credit Past & Present," The Daily Record (Online Extra), Vol. 4, No: 248, No: 249 and No: 250, April 2004
Sports Leagues and Teams—An Encyclopedia
Credentials
Education
University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D. 1972)
University of Pennsylvania (M.C.P. 1972)
Brooklyn College, City University of New York (B.A 1968, with honors)
Admissions
Maryland