Hotel Law Blog

Published on: June 15, 2015

Video: Bill Blackham of Supertel Hospitality discusses new supply and assets for sale – 2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

15 June 2015

Bill Blackham, President and CEO of Supertel Hospitality, speaks in the video below about new supply and assets coming to the marketplace for sale, changing guest expectations across different segments, and financing for new development.

Bill spoke with Bob Braun, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015.

A transcript follows the video.

Bob Braun: I’m Bob Braun, I am a partner at Jeffer, Mangels Butler and Mitchell. I’m part of the Global Hospitality Group®. I’m here at Meet the Money® 2015 for our 25th Anniversary, and I’m talking with Bill Blackham, who is the President and CEO of Supertel Hospitality. Bill, it’s good to have you here.

Bill Blackham: Thank you Bob, it’s nice to see you again. CONTINUE READING →

Published on: June 12, 2015

Video: Elizabeth Braman of Realty Mogul explains crowdfinding for hospitality real estate deals – 2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

12 June 2015

Elizabeth Braman, Chief Production Officer at Realty Mogul, discusses crowdfunding for hospitality real estate projects and the benefits to investors in the following video.

Elizabeth spoke with David Sudeck, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, as part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015.

A transcript is below the video.

David Sudeck: I’m David Sudeck. I’m with Jeffer Mangels Global Hospitality Group®. We’re here at the 25th Annual Meet the Money® Conference. I’m here with Elizabeth Braman, Chief Production Officer at Realty Mogul. Welcome.

Elizabeth Braman: Thank you. CONTINUE READING →

Published on: June 11, 2015

Video: 2015 Hotel Investment and Finance Opportunities: Mike Cahill of HREC sheds light on the question, “Where are we in the current hospitality cycle?”

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

11 June 2015

Mike Cahill, CEO and Founder of Hospitality Real Estate Counselors and co-chairman of the Lodging Industry Investment Council, speaks in the video below about activity in the 2015 hospitality market, the current cycle and where we may be headed next, distressed hotel sales from lenders, and interest rates and other potential disruptors to the hotel industry.

Mike’s conversation with Bob Braun, a senior partner in the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®, is part of our video interview series on hotel finance and investment opportunities in 2015.

A transcript follows the video.

Bob Braun: Hi, I’m Bob Braun. I am a Partner with Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell, and I am here at Meet the Money® 2015, our 25th anniversary, and I am sitting with Mike Cahill, CEO and founder of HREC. Mike, thanks very much for coming and spending a little time with us.

Mike Cahill: Thank you for having us. CONTINUE READING →

Published on: June 1, 2015

JMBM’s Meet the Money® spreads good news and enthusiasm

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

01 June 2015

In the Hotel Business article “Industry optimism still remains at Meet the Money,” executive news editor Stefani C. O’Connor captured perfectly the atmosphere of Meet the Money® National Hotel Finance and Investment Conference, organized by JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group®. that took place May 5-7 in Los Angeles.

She wrote: CONTINUE READING →

Published on: May 7, 2015

Presentations from Meet the Money® 2015 – Suzanne Mellen, Alan Reay, Vail Brown, Stephen Rushmore, Jr., Mark Woodworth, Mike Cahill and Richard Green

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

07 May 2015

Meet the Money® 2015 – Information, deals, reflection, and celebration
Conference presentations now available

JMBM’s Meet the Money® 2015, held at the Sheraton LAX in Los Angeles, wrapped up its 25th national hotel finance and investment conference this week. The hotel lawyers in JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group were fortunate to celebrate such a significant milestone (25 years!) at a time when the hotel industry is breaking all-time records – RevPar, Occupancy, Rooms Sold, Room Revenue, Transaction Value, you name it.

Hotel fundamentals are strong, interest rates rate are low, demand is strong, and hotel investors are happy! There was general consensus that the good times will continue for at least another year or two, and some think it could last even longer. It was truly a great pleasure to hear about all of the profitable and creative deals that are going on.

While everyone acknowledged that it’s a great time to be in the hotel industry, there was plenty of healthy reflection about lessons learned from the Great Recession as well as discussion about preparing for the inevitable downside of the current cycle. Our speakers – a Who’s Who of the hotel world – represented an experienced and disciplined approach to hotel finance and investment.

You can read more about the conference in the column written by Stefani C. O’Connor in Hotel Business: With Eye to Horizon, Industry Optimism Remains at Meet the Money Conference.

Select Presentations Now Available for Free Download

We are pleased to share with you some of the presentations from the conference. To view a list of presentations, go to Hotel Industry Presentations on HotelLawyer.com.

Individual presentations include: CONTINUE READING →

Published on: May 5, 2015

Hotel Lawyer from Meet the Money® – News from the 2015 Lodging Industry Investment Council (LIIC) Annual Survey: “Carpe Diem”

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

05 May 2015

The 2015 LIIC Top Ten: Hotel Investors Bask in Rare & Glorious Sunshine

Each year at Meet the Money® – the national hotel finance and investment conference, Mike Cahill announces the “LIIC Top Ten” – a profile of investment sentiment and attitudes for the hotel industry that is gathered through an annual survey of the Lodging Industry Investment Council (LIIC). LIIC is the hotel industry think tank whose members own or operate billions of dollars of hotel investments and involves all aspects of the industry. In fact, 60% of LIIC hotel owners successfully purchased a hotel in the last 12 months, and 47% currently have additional acquisitions under a purchase and sale contract.

Along with Mike Cahill of Hospitality Real Estate Advisors (HREC) and Sean Hennessey of Lodging Investment Advisors, I am pleased to be one of the co-chairs of LIIC. I am grateful to Mike Cahill for analyzing the survey results which result in the annual LIIC Top Ten.

Mike reported that the 2015 survey resulted in the most positive outlook of the hotel industry for the foreseeable future, since the LIIC surveys began! Yes, there are concerns – the interest rate environment, the strength of the dollar, new supply among others – but for now, expectations are being met or exceeded, and LIIC members expect more of the same in the near future.

Appropriately titled, “Carpe Diem: Hotel Investors Bask in Rare & Glorious Sunshine,” you can click here to see Mike’s presentation. You will find it interesting. CONTINUE READING →

Published on: April 28, 2015

Meet the Money® 2015 Sponsor Spotlight: Rich Clark, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

28 April 2015

Meet the Money® 2015 Spotlight

Rich Clark, Managing Director of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

The Hotel Law Blog is highlighting some of our Meet the Money® 2015 sponsors as the national hotel finance and investment conference approaches. In the Q&A below,, describes how the risk management company approaches the unique needs of hospitality companies.

You can hear from Rich and 100 other speakers at Meet the Money® 2015, coming up May 4-6 in Los Angeles. The window of opportunity for hotel deals and development is wide open, and the 25th year of our conference will help you make the right choices and meet the right people to add value to your deals in 2015 and beyond. Register now at www.MeetTheMoney.com.

Jim Butler: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? How did you get into the insurance business and hospitality. When did you join AJ Gallagher and come to your present position? What are responsibilities at AJ Gallagher now?

Rich Clark: I am originally from Nashville, Tennessee, and started in the insurance business out of college as an underwriter with an insurance carrier. I moved to the broker side five years later to a firm in Memphis, and moved to Houston in 1985 with a national broker. Two years later, with a group of guys from New York, I opened a new brokerage firm with offices in New York, Hartford, Irvine and Houston. We sold this company to Arthur J. Gallagher in 2001, which is when I joined.

I began specializing exclusively in hospitality in 1992—three of my hospitality clients have been with me for more than 20 years. In late 2001, we launched the Real Estate and Hospitality practice for Gallagher. We later decided to create a separate hospitality practice due to the big differences in hospitality from the other asset classes within real estate. I am the National Practice Leader for Gallagher Hospitality, and a part of the newly formed Global Hospitality Practice. I remain involved in the real estate practice, and am also a Regional Director for the Gallagher Property Insurance Practice.

Jim: Tell us about some of your current or recent engagements. Who are you working with and what are you doing? How are you and your team spending your time? CONTINUE READING →

Published on: April 27, 2015

Meet the Money® 2015 Sponsor Spotlight: Rob Pallsechi, Hilton Worldwide

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

27 April 2015

Meet the Money® 2015 Spotlight

Rob Palleschi, Global Head Full, Service Brands of Hilton Worldwide

The Hotel Law Blog is highlighting some of our Meet the Money® 2015 sponsors as the national hotel finance and investment conference approaches. In the Q&A below, Rob Palleschi, Global Head, Full Service Brands of Hilton Worldwide, discusses how he got started in the hospitality industry, and what the global brand is expecting in 2015.

You can hear from Rob and 100 other speakers at Meet the Money® 2015, coming up May 4-6 in Los Angeles. The window of opportunity for hotel deals and development is wide open, and the 25th year of our conference will help you make the right choices and meet the right people to add value to your deals in 2015 and beyond. Register now at www.MeetTheMoney.com.

Jim Butler: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into the hospitality business? What are responsibilities at Hilton now?

Rob Palleschi: I started working in the hotel business in high school, at the front desk and as a night auditor. Later, I went to Johnson & Wales University for Hotel/Restaurant Management…and here I am. I’ve been in the hospitality industry for over 25 years, and I currently oversee all aspects of Hilton Worldwide’s flagship brands and a portfolio of over 550 hotels through the world. I’ve also overseen the DoubleTree brand in the past, strategizing development, implementation, and enforcement of brand standards. CONTINUE READING →

Published on: March 30, 2015

Meet the Money® National Hotel Finance & Investment Conference – May 4-6, 2015 in Los Angeles

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

30 March 2015

Meet the Money® National Hotel Finance & Investment Conference
May 4-6, 2015 in Los Angeles

The window of opportunity is open – choosing the right deals

LOS ANGELES–Meet the Money® 2015 will mark the 25th year that hotel owners, operators, developers, consultants, investors, brands, lenders and other capital providers convene in Los Angeles to explore opportunities for hotel development and deals.

“Industry fundamentals are strong, interest rates are low, debt and equity are flowing, and overseas investors are lining up to invest in hotels,” said Jim Butler, Chairman of JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group®. “The window of opportunity is wide open. The challenge now is to choose the right deals for you and your company.”

Meet the Money® 2015 will include presentations on how developers are using new financing sources, such as crowd funding and EB-5 financing, as part of the capital stack for new projects. Industry experts will share up-to-the minute information on valuation, buying, selling, repositioning, and financing hotels.

This year, Meet the Money® will offer a new Monday afternoon session—the Resort Development Workshop: Mixed Use and Shared Ownership. Hosted by Platinum Sponsor Interval International and the Global Hospitality Group®, the Resort Development Workshop will explore mixed-use and shared ownership with industry experts across a diverse mix of disciplines, focusing on the business models and opportunities for hoteliers, developers and investors. CONTINUE READING →

Published on: February 12, 2015

Succession planning for the family-owned hospitality business

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®

12 February 2015

Succession planning for the family-owned hospitality business: protecting your family and your business

The hospitality industry has been kind to families over the centuries, providing a good living for many, and significant wealth for others.

Whether your family owns a hotel management company or hotels — involved with one or two small properties or a large chain of hotels — the responsibilities of your family-owned business are as profound as the advantages.

Ensuring that the business continues to operate and provide for the family and others whose livelihood depends on it after one’s retirement or death is important. It is one of the critical responsibilities of the founders and senior management of the family-owned hotel business. Will family members want to keep running the business, and be prepared to do so? Will they want to sell the business? Keep the business and hire outside management?

Providing for continuity and certainty

Business detests uncertainty. It has a bad effect on all concerned, including business partners, employees, customers, vendors and other stakeholders. Succession planning helps eliminate unnecessary disruptions and uncertainties.

Recently, I was interviewed by Brendan Manley, a contributor to STR’s Hotel News Now, about this issue. In his article, Brendan made the point that “The timeline for a change in succession also is critical, because hotels are a 24/7 concern that require constant care and attention. Operators might hope for a quick, clean change in ownership in the event of an owner’s death, while grieving family members might desire a gradual change. Striking a balance between those two attitudes is yet another delicate tightrope one must walk.”

Addressing these kinds of difficult issues in advance, in a succession plan, is difficult to do. But many closely-held business owners embrace the responsibility and get help from experts who can walk them through various scenarios and outcomes.

CONTINUE READING →

Jim Butler

Jim Butler is recognized as one of the top hotel lawyers in the world. He devotes 100% of his practice to hospitality, representing hotel owners, developers and lenders. Jim leads JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® — a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion.
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Robert Braun

Robert Braun is a partner in JMBM's Corporate Department and a senior member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. Bob represents owners in both transactional and operational issues. He advises clients with respect to business formation, financing, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financing, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. He has represented hotel owners in the negotiation of several hundred management agreements, as well as spa management and franchise agreements. Bob also advises hotel owners regarding telecommunications, software, internet, e-commerce, data processing and outsourcing agreements. To read Bob's articles, go to www.HotelLawBlog.com and select "Management Agreements." For more information, please contact Bob Braun at 310.785.5331 or rbraun@jmbm.com.

Marta Fernandez

Marta Fernandez is a partner in JMBM's Employment and Labor Department and a senior member of JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. As a management labor lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, Marta specializes in representing hospitality industry clients in all aspects of labor and employment including labor-management relations such as union prevention, collective bargaining for single as well as multi-employer bargaining units, neutrality agreements and defense of unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB. She defends employers in administrative and litigation claims, such as employee claims of sexual harassment and discrimination and counsels clients in preventative strategies such as executive training, arbitration enforcement, and policies and procedures. To read Marta's articles, go to www.HotelLawBlog.com and select "Labor & Employment." For more information, please contact Marta Fernandez at 310.201.3534 or at mfernandez@jmbm.com.

Guy Maisnik

Guy Maisnik is a partner in JMBM's Real Estate Department and a senior member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. Guy's deep and broad transactional practice includes complex real estate finance and venture capital transactions, including project finance, commercial finance, leveraged leasing and real estate acquisitions. He assists clients with development, leasing and disposition, loan portfolio acquisitions, loan and debt restructure, workouts and real estate exchanges. Go to www.HotelLawBlog.com for current information in these areas. For more information, please contact Guy Maisnik at 310.201.3588 or mgm@jmbm.com.

David Sudeck

David Sudeck is a Partner in JMBM's Real Estate Department and a senior member of JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. David has significant experience in the vacation ownership arena, focusing on the formation and registration of condominiums, timeshares and fractional interest regimes. He negotiates hotel, spa and restaurant management agreements, and assists client in the development, acquisition, sale and leasing of hotels, golf courses and restaurants. For David's take on current issues in the timeshare arena, go to www.HotelLawBlog.com and click on the topic, "Timeshare." For more information, please contact David Sudeck at 310.201.3518 or dsudeck @jmbm.com.

Robert Kaplan

Robert Kaplan is a partner in JMBM's Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Restructurings Group and a senior member of the Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. Bob represents lenders, special servicers, hard money lenders, community banks, national banking associations, distressed debt investors, and equity investors, positioning them for the best possible outcome by acting expeditiously to preserve value and increase cash flow. His industry experience and his knowledge of the current capital markets -- where distressed assets often include complex deal structures and securitized loans -- allows him to bring creative and effective strategies to the table. When aggressive litigation is the best strategy, he is a vigorous and effective advocate for his clients. Bob represented the securitized lender in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case filed by the Clift Hotel in San Francisco, and in the subsequent negotiations and successful sale of the loan to a third party. The lender -- acting by and through GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation as special servicer -- was the holder of a $60 million loan secured by a Deed of Trust on the Clift Hotel. He has also served as counsel to CapMark, J.E. Robert Company, Inc., AMRESCO Management Inc. and Midland Loan Servicer in their capacity as special servicers on troubled hotel loans in CMBS pools. For more information, contact Robert Kaplan at 415.984.9673 or rkaplan@jmbm.com.

Martin Orlick

Martin Orlick is a partner in JMBM's Real Estate Department and a senior member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. Marty specializes in representing hospitality industry clients in Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and defense. He has represented more than 500 businesses in ADA issues, many of them hotels and restaurants, as well as hotel mixed-use properties. Marty is a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) and a frequent speaker on the ADA and other topics. To read Marty's articles, go to www.HotelLawBlog.comand select "ADA." For more information, please contact Marty Orlick at 415.984.9667 or morlick@jmbm.com.

Scott Brink

Scott Brink is a senior member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® and a partner in JMBM's Labor & Employment Law Department. Scott is a management labor lawyer with more than two decades of experience representing employers in all aspects of labor relations and employment law including union prevention, collective bargaining negotiations, defense of unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB, wrongful discharge litigation, individual and class action employment discrimination and wage-and-hour claims, sexual-harassment litigation, arbitrations, personnel policies, California wage and hour law, and employee discipline and discharge. An experienced trial attorney, Scott has litigated a number of high-profile and complex cases involving a wide range of labor and employment law matters. For more information, contact Scott Brink at RSB@jmbm.com or 310.785.5365.

Travis Gemoets

Travis Gemoets is an experienced trial attorney and represents management in all facets of labor and employment law, including wage/hour class actions, claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, trade secrets and unfair competition, union/management relations and workplace violence. He is a member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group(r), in which capacity he negotiates union contracts and resolves labor disputes throughout the country, defends class action claims, develops strategies for the mass onboarding and separation of employees, and recommends proactive changes to employers' policies and practices in order to minimize potential liability risks. Reach him at 310.785.5387 or tgemoets@jmbm.com.

Mark S. Adams

Mark S. Adams is an experienced trial lawyer and a member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® and Chinese Investment Group™. He focuses his practice on business litigation including contracts, corporate and partnership disputes, and hospitality disputes and litigation. On behalf of hotel and resort owners, Mark has successfully litigated the termination of long-term, no-cut, hotel management agreements, franchise agreements, fiduciary duty issues, investor-owner disputes, TOT assessments, and more. He has wide-ranging trial experience in a variety of commercial disputes, including complex multi-party litigation and class actions. He has tried numerous cases in state courts, federal courts, and in domestic and international arbitrations, and is a frequent author and speaker on trial practice. Mark's trial wins have been covered by Forbes, Reuters, and other publications. He has obtained two of California's annual 50 largest jury verdicts in the same year. Mark has taken or defended nearly 1,000 depositions throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. He has been quoted as an expert on noncompete agreements in the Wall Street Journal. For more information, contact Mark at 949. 623.7230 or markadams@jmbm.com.

Bennett Young

Bennett Young is a partner in JMBM's Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Restructurings Group and a senior member of the Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. His clients include lenders, financial institutions, secured and unsecured creditors, distressed investment funds, businesses, receivers, special servicers and creditors' committees. Ben represented the owner of a partially completed multi-billion dollar resort property in the restructuring of its finances and has represented lenders to hotels and casinos. For more information, contact Ben Young at 415.984.9626 or byoung@jmbm.com

Sheri Bonstelle

Sheri Bonstelle is a partner in JMBM's Government, Land Use, Environment and Energy Department, and a member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group®. She represents owners and developers in land use, zoning, environmental, litigation and construction matters. She manages all aspects of the entitlement process, including representing clients before local and state agencies, commissions and councils. Sheri also represents clients in a variety of land use and real estate litigation matters in state and federal courts, including cases arising under CEQA and other environmental laws. Her hotel experience includes handling the adaptive reuse of an historic office building as a luxury boutique hotel. For more information, please contact Sheri Bonstelle at 310.712.6847 or SBonstelle@jmbm.com.

Kevin McDonnell

Kevin McDonnell is a partner in JMBM's Government, Land Use, Environment and Energy Department, and a member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group®. Kevin represents developers and owners of hotels in a broad range of land use and zoning issues including entitlements, code enforcement, easements and parking requirements, as well as related Parcel Map and Tract Map subdivision issues. His hospitality experience includes hotels, condo-hotels and mixed-use projects. A registered Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer in California, and a former building official for the City of Los Angeles, Kevin brings unique experience and insight in Zoning and Building Code applications and Code Enforcement issues. For more information, please contact Kevin McDonnell at 310.201.3590 or kkm@jmbm.com.

Jamie Ogden

Jamie Ogden is a tax lawyer at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP. He advises individuals and businesses on a range of tax planning, tax controversy and estate planning matters. Jamie’s experience includes all tax aspects with respect to the hospitality industry, including acquisitions and dispositions (including Section 1031 exchanges), financing and management agreements. He also serves as lead tax counsel on M&A transactions, financing, internal corporate restructurings and deferred compensation matters. Jamie also works frequently with litigators on the tax aspects of litigation, judgments and settlements. Jamie has extensive experience with foreign compliance matters, including each variation of the IRS amnesty programs. In addition to his experience in private practice, Jamie also brings several years of service from both state and federal government. For more information, contact Jamie at JOgden@jmbm.com or 310.201.3510.

Wei Deng

Wei Deng is General Counsel of Bosen American Capital, Inc. where in addition to his legal duties, he is responsible for sourcing, evaluating and proposing United States investment opportunities to the company. Wei was previously with JMBM, where he focused on transactional and litigation matters.

Jay Thompson

Jay Thompson has extensive experience representing private companies, business owners, family offices and investors in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions and private securities offerings. Jay serves as general counsel to many of his clients, their management, and board of directors, helping to shape and execute their business strategies, facilitate growth and liquidity, as well as to advise them on day-to-day legal and other strategic issues. He is known for his practical approach to business issues. Contact Jay at JThompson@jmbm.com or 949.623.7258

Marianne Martin

Marianne Martin has nearly fifteen years of experience advising clients on a variety of commercial, financing, bankruptcy, restructuring and M&A matters, with a particular niche dealing with distressed and/or turnaround situations. Her clients frequently include private equity and hedge funds, independent sponsors, family offices, public and private corporations, financial institutions and banks, healthcare-related companies, municipalities and venture capital funds. She has represented clients in various capacities, including as borrowers/debtors, lenders, acquirers, and agents/trustees in negotiating and documenting complex commercial transactions, out-of-court restructuring transactions and advising on purchasing considerations in secondary market debt transactions. Contact Marianne at MMartin@jmbm.com or 310.201.3531

Trevor Countryman

Trevor Countryman is an associate in the firm's Real Estate Department. He advises clients in all aspects of real estate transactions including property acquisitions and dispositions, financing, leasing, development and construction. Trevor's clients range from large funds to individual developers and opportunistic investors, engaged in deals involving office, retail, multi-family, single-family, mixed-use and hotel properties. Contact Trevor Countryman at 310.201.3546 or TCountryman@jmbm.com.

Vanessa Han

Vanessa Han is an associate in JMBM's Corporate group. Vanessa can be reached at VHan@jmbm.com or 310.785.5383

Vince Farhat

Vince Farhat is Chair of JMBM's White Collar Defense and Investigations practice. Vince has extensive jury trial experience and focuses his practice on representing companies and individuals in criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions by government enforcement agencies, as well as complex federal litigation. He also advises companies in connection with complex and sensitive internal investigations. Prior to joining JMBM, Vince served as an assistant United States attorney in the Major Frauds Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Contact Vince Farhat at 310.785.5382 or VFarhat@jmbm.com.

Sarah G. Hartman

Sarah G. Hartman is a partner in JMBM's Litigation Group and a member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. Sarah is an experienced litigator who advises and represents clients through all aspects of litigation, from inception through trial and appeal. She advises and represents clients in the hospitality industry, including the termination of hotel management agreements and franchise agreements. Sarah also advises and represents clients on women's health technology issues, intellectual property matters, and complex commercial disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, breach of contract, unfair competition, products liability, employment litigation, class action defense, false advertising and other complex financial disputes. Contact Sarah Hartman at 949.623.7243 or SGHartman@jmbm.com.

Michael H. Strub, Jr.

Michael H. Strub, Jr. is a partner in JMBM's Litigation Group and a member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® -- a team of seasoned professionals who have helped clients around the world with more than 4,700 hospitality properties worth more than $125 billion. He is a highly skilled trial and appellate attorney who has handled high-stakes, complex commercial and business cases for 30 years including disputes arising out of hotel construction, lending, and bankruptcy. In addition, he has represented plaintiffs and defendants in business and commercial disputes in a variety of areas. Contact Michael H. Strub, Jr. at 949.623.7233 or MStrub@jmbm.com.

Ask the Hotel Lawyer™ is a quarterly column that I write for JMBM's Global Hospitality Advisor®. If you have a question you would like to submit to Ask the Hotel Lawyer™ please use the comments box below. While your question may not be of sufficient general interest for the column, I will try to respond to you individually if you leave your contact information below.
Jim Butler.

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