Bass, Berry & Sims PLC Announces Key Additions to Real Estate Capital Markets Practice in Washington Office

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bass, Berry & Sims PLC today announced the addition of three experienced corporate and securities attorneys to its Washington, DC office.  Samantha Gallagher, Justin Salon and Andy Campbell bring to Bass, Berry & Sims substantial experience representing real estate investment trusts (REITs) and national underwriters in real estate capital markets transactions. Samantha previously was a partner at the international law firm of Hogan Lovells US LLP, where Justin and Andy were associates.

The arrival of Gallagher, Salon and Campbell represents a key step in the growth of Bass, Berry & Sims' Washington office, which opened in January of this year.

"When we opened our Washington office, we committed to establishing a significant presence in the nation's capital with 'best of class' lawyers who share our firm's passion for superior and innovative client service," said Keith Simmons, managing partner of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC. "Samantha, Justin and Andy come to us with extraordinary experience representing public companies and investment banks, primarily in the REIT industry, and will provide significant momentum to the execution of our strategy for sustained growth of our Washington office."

All three of the newly acquired lawyers have extensive experience representing both issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings and public and private offerings of common and preferred stock, as well as senior and subordinated debt financings, primarily in the REIT industry. They also regularly counsel listed REITs and other public companies with respect to corporate governance, compliance with the federal securities laws and general corporate matters.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Bass, Berry & Sims' REIT practice and have admired the way in which they add value to their clients through creative counseling and excellent execution of deals," said Gallagher. "We are both honored and excited to contribute to the growth of Bass, Berry & Sims' nationally-recognized Real Estate Capital Markets Practice and to be a part of the firm's strategic initiative to develop the Washington office."

The Real Estate Capital Markets Practice at Bass, Berry & Sims represents numerous public REITs and real estate operating companies in the multi-family, student housing, healthcare, retail, net lease, self-storage, lodging/hospitality and office REIT sectors, as well as public, non-listed REITS.

"Our REIT team has enjoyed a fabulous working relationship with Samantha, Justin and Andy as counterparts in securities offerings," said John Good, chair of Bass, Berry & Sims' Real Estate Capital Markets Practice. "They share our philosophy of providing outstanding, creative, value-added service to clients in a cost effective manner. Their collective experience in the REIT industry will prove to be of immense value to our current and future clients in this area."

About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

With more than 200 attorneys representing numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses, Bass, Berry & Sims has been involved in some of the largest and most significant business transactions and litigation matters in the country. For more information, please visit www.bassberry.com.

SOURCE Bass, Berry & Sims PLC