Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to welcome Donald F. Holmes, Jr., to the firm’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group.
Don’s noteworthy book of business spans three decades and includes hundreds of sophisticated real estate transactions for his diverse client base. While his focus has been on landlord-side commercial lease representation, he also provides tenant representation for trade associations, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and medical office practices in metro Washington, D.C.
Bolstered by broad market experience, Don has negotiated transactions involving office, restaurant, retail, and flex-space leases; co-working agreements; commission agreements; SNDAs; subleases; assignment agreements; termination agreements; lease default workouts / settlements; antenna / satellite and other telecom agreements; non-disclosure agreements; personal services agreements; and a variety of other highly specialized contracts, agreements, and projects.
In addition to his versatile transactional work, Don also serves as a dedicated client advisor for decisions pertaining to business formation, general financing, operations, and risk management, including litigation avoidance.
“Don’s diverse industry success is a testament to his high adaptability when faced with unique or high-stakes client matters – a trait we look for as we continue along our trajectory of intentional lateral growth,” said Bill Powers, office managing partner for Spencer Fane in Washington, D.C. “We look forward to welcoming his resourceful approach to complex transactions, which will undoubtedly deepen key strengths within our dynamic national real estate practice.”
Outside of private practice, Don is heavily involved in several real estate and legal industry associations, including the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington; Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association (CREBA) of Greater Washington, D.C., where he serves as an instructor for CREBA Classroom programs; and the District of Columbia Bar’s Real Estate, Housing, and Land Use Section.
After obtaining his Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University, Don earned his Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. He notably worked as a leasing consultant at a leading property management company before practicing law, experience which informs his current practice.
Don is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, New York, and Pennsylvania.