Holland & Knight Expands Real Estate Practice in Northern Virginia Office

TYSONS CORNER, Va., Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Colin Smith, one of Northern Virginia's best known commercial real estate lawyers, has joined Holland & Knight as a partner in its Tysons Corner office. He comes to Holland & Knight from Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald and brings with him Senior Counsel Briana Stolley.

"Very few transactional real estate lawyers in Northern Virginia possess the depth and breadth of Colin's experience, or are as well known and respected in the real estate community. His client list is long and impressive, and includes some of the most prominent developers and owners in the Washington, D.C. area," said David Kahn, the leader of Holland & Knight's Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Practice Group. "Briana, who has practiced with Colin for several years, is an excellent commercial real estate lawyer and a rising star in our industry."

Mr. Smith, who has been practicing law for more than 25 years, focuses primarily on sophisticated commercial real estate transactions, including development, sales and acquisitions, financings and leasing. Additionally, based on years of experience as outside counsel to a large parking management company, he possesses specific expertise with respect to the leasing and operation of parking facilities. His clients range from owners/developers, construction companies and executive suites companies to a variety of private and governmental entities that own, operate and lease real property.  A frequent author and speaker, Mr. Smith has been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" and his work recognized by Legal 500 United States.

"Holland & Knight's national platform and local reputation will allow me to expand my practice as never before. I can now offer my clients a broader array of expertise in areas related to real estate, including zoning, environmental, tax, construction and employment law, in order to better meet their legal and business needs," said Mr. Smith. "I am also excited that my new Holland & Knight partners in other offices around the country will be able to provide my national clients the same type of great service as we expect to be able to provide them in this region. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to enhance the firm's presence in the ever-expanding Northern Virginia real estate market." 

Ms. Stolley represents owners, developers, investors and tenants of office buildings, shopping centers, industrial parks and mixed-use developments in connection with the leasing, development, and acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate. As outside counsel to a nationally recognized executive suite operator, she has specific expertise with tenant representation in large leasing transactions throughout the United States. She also has extensive experience representing institutional lenders, banks and credit unions on a wide array of financing transactions, including construction and permanent loans secured by real estate equipment and other asset-backed transactions. Her practice includes negotiating and drafting contracts with architectural, engineering and construction firms, franchise agreements, hotel management agreements and corporate entity formation documents. Ms. Stolley also has been recognized by Legal 500 United States.

"Holland & Knight's real estate practice is among the most pre-eminent in the country and I am honored to be a part of it," said Ms. Stolley. "My clients will benefit from the scope of legal resources now available to them in the firm's Northern Virginia and D.C. offices, as well as Holland & Knight offices around the country."

Holland & Knight lawyers have served the real estate industry for more than 100 years. Its award-winning real estate practice is one of the largest of any U.S. law firm, with more than 200 lawyers who work in collaboration to address all the legal needs of clients engaged in the development, construction and operation of real estate projects around the globe.

About Holland & Knight LLP:  Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers and other professionals in 17 U.S. offices, as well as Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Bogota and Mexico City. Among the nation's largest law firms, Holland & Knight provides representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location. www.hklaw.com.

SOURCE Holland & Knight LLP