Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, announces the addition of Martha Anderson Hartley and Zachary J. Bancroft to the Firm’s Orlando office.

Ms. Hartley, who joins as shareholder and a member of Baker Donelson’s Real Estate practice group, focuses her practice on representing international and domestic developers and commercial property owners in the acquisition, development, financing and disposition of commercial real estate, including resorts, hotels, mixed-use, condominiums and affordable housing projects. She also has more than 25 years of experience in corporate practice and taxation, including mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, and business succession planning. Ms. Hartley has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of real estate since 2008 and holds an AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible recognition for legal ability and ethical standards. She holds both a J.D. and an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida College of Law. 

Mr. Bancroft, who joins as shareholder and a member of Baker Donelson’s Financial Institutions practice group, focuses his practice on commercial foreclosures, commercial loan workouts, bankruptcy litigation and general business litigation. He regularly represents national banks, regional banks, loan servicers and other financial institutions in real property foreclosures, loan workouts, and related bankruptcy matters. During the recent real estate downturn, he has represented lenders in commercial foreclosure actions having a cumulative amount in controversy of over half a billion dollars. Mr. Bancroft also will continue to represent a wide variety of clients in general business litigation matters. A 1998 graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law, Mr. Bancroft was recognized as a “Florida Rising Star” by Florida Super Lawyers magazine in 2011. 

“Baker Donelson is intent upon expanding its presence in Orlando with exceptional attorneys from a range of practice areas,” said Donald E. Christopher, managing shareholder of Baker Donelson’s Orlando office. “Zach and Marty exemplify the seasoned and highly regarded lawyers who are making the Firm’s continued growth in Florida possible.”