Ballard Spahr LLP‘s considerable offering across project finance is a robust choice for government agencies seeking counsel on major transport infrastructure builds, and the practice also regularly acts for lenders and developers. It further excels in energy projects, focusing on financing, regulatory and commercial advice to energy companies and investors in the sector. The firm also has a strong capital markets offering in the space. Steve Park, ’widely recognized as a leader in the P3 legal field’, is a go-to lawyer for public entities, private developers, and lenders. He is based in Philadelphia along with fellow co-leaders of the group Patrick Gillard and Randall Towers. They both focus on project finance transactions in the energy space, assisting with a range of debt instruments. John Smolen rounds out the leadership team and from the Baltimore office acts on design-build, P3s, and other APD civil and social infrastructure projects across the country. Further key contacts include tax equity expert Bruce Johnson at the Las Vegas office; Donna Brady in Los Angeles, who has a strong practice in transport and social infrastructure; and William Estes (New York) and John Wheatley (Washington DC), who add further design-build and P3 experience and frequently collaborate as counsel on major transport constructions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They are very knowledgeable in the P3 space and exceptionally responsive to a client’s timeline and needs.’
‘Steve Park is widely recognized as a leader in the P3 legal field. His track record and client referrals speak for themself.’
Key clients
- Constellation Energy Generation LLC
- Exelon Corporation
- Green Development, LLC
- University of Florida
- Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration
- Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
- City of Annapolis
- Virginia Department of Transportation
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
- Nebraska Department of Transportation
Work highlights
- Retained as P3 counsel for the P3 office of the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration (CO DPA). CO DPA has a number of P3 projects on the horizon, including the Burnham Yard project, the 1881 Pierce Street Project and the Global Energy Park Project.
- Serving as P3 counsel to the University of Idaho in connection with the delivery of a suite of projects across the campus and off-campus, including student housing, market rate housing, parking and commercial projects.
- Acting as P3 counsel to PennDOT in connection with the Major Bridges Project, the P3 development of six major bridges across Pennsylvania, which had been procured under a pre-development agreement and ultimately, a design-build-finance-maintain agreement.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Patrick Gillard; Randall Towers; Steve Park; John Smolen
Other key lawyers
Bruce Johnson; Lea Phillips; Katie Leesman; Donna Brady; John Wheatley; Matt Vantusko; William Estes