Ballard Spahr Adds Business and Finance Team

DENVER (March 21, 2016) – Ballard Spahr has expanded its business and finance capabilities in the West with the addition of a team of attorneys to its Denver office, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today. The attorneys―two partners and one of counsel—joined the firm from Donelson Barry, LLC, in Broomfield, Colorado.
Joining Ballard Spahr as partners are Stephen W. Donelson and Damon O. Barry, who handle general corporate and business law, mergers and acquisitions, financing, matters involving emerging companies, and securities. Shawn L. McIntire, who focuses on business taxation and transactions, joins as of counsel.

“This team has deep roots in the Denver area, and is very familiar with the companies, industries, and private and public sector officials there,” said Mr. Stewart. “They are an important part of the deliberate growth of our Denver office, and we are excited to have them join the firm.”

Said Brian M. Pinheiro, Chair of Ballard Spahr's Business and Finance Department: “We are growing and adding depth to our renowned corporate business capabilities in Denver. Steve, Damon, and Shawn have a robust connection to the local business community that provides a strong complement to our national business and finance practice in that office.”
Mr. Donelson concentrates on corporate transactions and planning, partnerships, business succession, and wealth planning. He has wide-ranging experience assessing, forming, and negotiating commercial transactions including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, private equity and venture capital investments, lending transactions, private placement of securities, debt financing, and real estate transactions.

He advises clients—from emerging companies to established corporations—in industries including banking, health care, biotech and pharmaceutical, commercial transportation, manufacturing, real estate development, financial services, and other professional services industries. Mr. Donelson also counsels on the structuring of personal wealth and tax and estate planning.

“Ballard Spahr’s nationwide platform is an ideal fit for me, my colleagues, and our clients,” Mr. Donelson said. “Being here will allow us to tap into the resources of a larger and highly specialized group of attorneys to better serve our clients and handle their increasingly sophisticated transactions.”

Mr. Barry, who spent more than a decade as an in-house general counsel before entering private practice, focuses on general corporate and business law. He advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, capital raises, and helping clients start, grow, buy, and sell businesses. Mr. Barry also handles complex contract negotiations, joint ventures, and commercial real estate transactions. He has advised public, closely held, and other companies in the software and technology, telecommunications, retail, gaming, e-payments, and manufacturing industries.

“We look forward to becoming part of Ballard Spahr as it continues to develop a greater presence in the West,” Mr. Barry said. “Our clients will benefit from the firm’s geographic reach and from the wide range of legal services it offers.”
Mr. McIntire focuses on tax issues involving closely held businesses, including partnership allocations and distributions, corporate tax planning, and federal and state tax settlements. He also counsels on mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, corporate restructuring, and exit strategies. Mr. McIntire has experience working with clients in the technology, food and beverage, professional services, and manufacturing areas.

“Steve, Damon, and Shawn will play a vital role in enriching our ties to the local community, particularly in the technology and emerging growth sectors,” said Steven W. Suflas, Managing Partner of the Denver office. “Having them join us is a great way to enhance our already vibrant national business and finance practice in Denver and the western region.”
Their arrival is the latest development in the continuing expansion of Ballard Spahr’s Business and Finance Department and its presence in the West. Messrs. Donelson, Barry, and McIntire join a robust corporate department of more than 135 attorneys in offices across the country that advise leading clients across many industries on a range of business and finance matters.
 
The firm’s Denver office is nationally recognized for its business and finance capabilities in handling a high volume of large and complex M&A, corporate, and commercial finance transactions; out-of-court restructuring transactions; corporate governance issues; securities; and tax matters. It also is well-known across the country for its work in real estate development, financing, and resort and hotel transactions, and has leading practices in complex commercial litigation and trial work, public finance and public-private partnerships, and labor and employment.

About Ballard Spahr

Ballard Spahr LLP, a national law firm with more than 500 lawyers in 14 offices in the United States, provides a range of services in litigation, business and finance, real estate, intellectual property, and public finance. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, life sciences and technology companies, health systems, investors and developers, government agencies and sponsored enterprises, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The firm combines a national scope of practice with strong regional market knowledge. For more information, please visit www.ballardspahr.com.