Attorneys Brian D. Huben and Dustin P. Branch have joined Ballard Spahr as partners in Los Angeles, firm chair Mark Stewart announced today. Mr. Huben and Mr. Branch have extensive experience representing owners, developers, and managers of commercial real estate in litigation and bankruptcy matters.
“Our strategy for growth in the West is to build on our strengths,” said Mr. Stewart. “Brian and Dustin bring experience in large, complex cases to a sophisticated bankruptcy group and are a welcome addition to our West Coast restructuring practice.”
Mr. Huben and Mr. Branch have represented landlords, center owners, and other creditors in numerous high-profile retail Chapter 11 bankruptcy matters across the country, as well as in state and federal landlord/tenant litigation.
“Our national, California, and Los Angeles clients will benefit immensely from the litigation and bankruptcy expertise of this dynamic team,” said Peter Haviland, Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office.
Said Vincent J. Marriott III, who leads Ballard Spahr’s Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Capital Recovery Group: “Several of us have worked with Brian and Dustin for many years, and know the caliber of their work. Having them join the firm is a unique opportunity to solidify our nationally recognized restructuring practice in The Golden State.”
Mr. Huben concentrates his practice on commercial litigation in state and federal courts. His practice includes representing commercial landlords and shopping center owners, creditors, managers, and developers. He handles retail bankruptcies throughout the United States, and advises commercial landlords in everyday operational matters including evictions, breach of lease issues, public access, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Ballard Spahr shares our values and offers a wide range of legal services to meet our clients’ needs across the country,” said Mr. Huben. “We know our clients will appreciate the firm’s national platform, strong reputation in bankruptcy work, and geographic footprint.”
Mr. Branch focuses his practice on representing commercial and shopping center owners, developers, and third-party managers in state and federal disputes, primarily in connection with tenant bankruptcy. He handles bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy workouts throughout the United States, and advises clients on operational matters, credit enhancements, and other landlord/tenant issues. He provides counsel in breach of contract cases, public access disputes, and the sale, lease, and restructuring of distressed real estate.
“We have strong relationships with several of the firm’s bankruptcy attorneys in the West, and I frequently work with colleagues in the Delaware office—particularly on matters involving lease restructurings outside of bankruptcy,” said Mr. Branch. “We are looking forward to contributing to the continuing growth of the firm’s robust bankruptcy practice.”
Lawyers in the firm’s Los Angeles office represent clients in litigation, bankruptcy, business and finance, marketplace lending, intellectual property, consumer financial services, privacy and data security, media and entertainment law, real estate, energy, labor and employment, and employee benefits and executive compensation matters.
Mr. Huben and Mr. Branch are members of Ballard Spahr’s Litigation Department and its Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Capital Recovery Group. They join the firm from Katten Muchin Rosenmann LLP in Los Angeles, where they were partners.
Ballard Spahr has been ranked in the National Tier 1 in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law by U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers Best Law Firms over the past two years, and as a “Top Bankruptcy Law Firm” by The Deal for several years. Lawyers in the group handle all aspects of insolvency, including restructuring, workouts, refinancing of debt, creditor-debtor litigation, reorganizations, and liquidations both in and outside of bankruptcy.
Source: www.ballardspahr.com
