PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Saul Ewing LLP is pleased to announce that it will expand its East Coast footprint, effective July 1, 2011, by combining with the Boston, MA-based law firm of Dionne & Gass LLP. It will be Saul Ewing’s 10th office.
Six partners and one associate from Dionne & Gass LLP will join Saul Ewing. Dionne & Gass is a leading real estate, business and finance law firm that has been in the Boston market for nearly 20 years.
“This is a great opportunity for our firm and for our clients,” said Managing Partner David S. Antzis. “One of the key components of our strategic vision is to grow and to do so prudently. Combining with Dionne & Gass accomplishes those goals on both fronts. Boston is a natural fit for us.”
Richard Gass, Dana Lanzillo, Don Lussier, Sally E. Michael and Joanne Robbins will join as partners, Jim Shulman will join as special counsel and Gabriel Safar will join as an associate. The attorneys will be members of Saul Ewing’s Project and Resource Development Department and Real Estate Practice Group. Two paralegals and office staff will transition with the attorneys to Saul Ewing.
The Boston office will serve local, regional and national clients, resulting in improved services for both Saul Ewing and Dionne & Gass’s existing client bases. After the combination is complete, Saul Ewing intends to strategically build the Boston office around its already strong real estate and corporate foundation, while expanding into the areas of litigation, health care, the environment, and education.
“This is a classic win-win,” said Dionne & Gass partner Richard Gass. “Saul Ewing and Dionne & Gass share a reputation for excellence in the practice of law and a strong commitment to exemplary client service – these common attributes will form the basis for a successful merger and a thriving Boston office. We are thrilled to be able to offer our clients the full platform of legal services that Saul Ewing can provide.”
Richard Dionne, one of the founders of Dionne & Gass, will not be joining Saul Ewing in order to pursue other business opportunities, but will sublease an office at the current location and looks forward to the opportunity for a continued professional relationship with his former colleagues and with the combined firm. “I think this is a great fit in every way,” said Dionne. “I have no doubt our respective clients will realize immediate benefits from this combination.”
About the attorneys:
Richard D. Gass − A seasoned real estate and corporate attorney, Richard Gass was a founding member of Dionne & Gass LLP. Prior to establishing Dionne & Gass, Gass was a leader in a private real estate development company in Boston. He brings to clients a creative approach to business and the law that helps them achieve their goals efficiently. He received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and his law degree from Yale Law School.
Dana C. Lanzillo − Dana Lanzillo advises clients as to general corporate matters, joint ventures and strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, investment funds, and real estate acquisitions, development, construction, financing and leasing. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Lanzillo was a principal of a regional construction management firm where he provided clients with innovative solutions to complicated design, construction and permitting issues. His practical and personal approach to analyzing and structuring complex deals makes him an effective advocate for his clients and a collaborative partner in their businesses. Mr. Lanzillo received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and his law degree from Suffolk University School of Law.
Donald G. Lussier − Don Lussier has extensive experience in real estate, finance and corporate matters. He has counseled developers and investors in connection with the acquisition, development, operation and disposition of commercial real estate, including multifamily, hotel, office, retail and golf course properties throughout the United States. Mr. Lussier’s experience includes portfolio acquisitions involving complex debt and equity structures. He has represented office and retail property owners in regard to leasing matters and has represented commercial property owners in connection with a variety of land use issues. Prior to joining Dionne & Gass, Mr. Lussier was General Counsel of Sawyer Realty Holdings LLC, a privately held, fully integrated real estate investment and management company specializing in the multifamily sector. Mr. Lussier received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Boston University and his law degree with distinction from Hofstra University School of Law.
Sally E. Michael − Sally Michael focuses her practice on complex portfolio transactions and joint venture deals with sophisticated tax aspects. She has an extensive real estate and corporate background. Her experience working for banks, as well as borrowers, gives her the ability to navigate complex lender requirements and pinpoint terms on which lenders may be willing to negotiate. She received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and her law degree from Suffolk University School of Law.
Joanne A. Robbins − Joanne Robbins has more than two decades of experience handling highly sophisticated and complex real estate transactions, including land use and permitting matters, property acquisitions and dispositions, and financial transactions. Ms. Robbins also has extensive experience in condominium law and in representing both landlords and tenants in office, retail and industrial lease matters. Ms. Robbins received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard College, and her law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
Gabriel R. Safar − Gabriel Safar represents clients on a range of real estate matters including retail and office leasing, commercial lending, loan modifications, condominium formation and acquisitions and sales. Mr. Safar also has worked with state agencies and private developers in regard to complex transit related development projects. He received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Tufts University and his law degree, magna cum laude, from Boston College Law School.
James H. Shulman − Jim Shulman brings to Saul Ewing more than 30 years of experience counseling clients in commercial real estate matters. He handles a broad array of commercial real estate development matters, including the acquisition, sale, and leasing of shopping centers, office properties and apartment buildings, and permitting and zoning proceedings relating to development projects. Mr. Shulman has served as executive vice president and general counsel to Ahold Real Estate Company, which at that time was the U.S. real estate subsidiary of Royal Ahold of the Netherlands (operator of Stop & Shop and Giant supermarkets in the United States). Mr. Shulman received his undergraduate degree from The George Washington University and his law degree from The George Washington University School of Law.
For more information about Saul Ewing, visit www.saul.com.