Jill S. Parks—who represents developers, investors, and companies in land planning, zoning, and development—has joined Ballard Spahr’s Real Estate Department and Real Estate Development and Transactions and Zoning and Land Use teams as partner, firm Chair Peter Michaud announced today. Jill is resident in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.
“There are only a few go-to land use attorneys in urban areas. There are even fewer who work on very sophisticated, multi-phase, years-long projects. Jill is one of those people,” said Matthew N. McClure, who leads Ballard Spahr’s Zoning and Land Use team. “Her profile in Northern Virginia and throughout the mid-Atlantic is a wonderful complement to our team in the Metro-D.C. area and across the country. She will expand the services we’re renowned for providing.”
Jill advises clients from site selection through diligence, contract negotiation, entitlements, site plan review, easements, zoning amendments, and dispositions. She focuses on the planning and development of large transit-oriented, mixed-use developments and has also developed a niche in senior living and long-term care projects, casino/gaming, and data/solar project diligence and development.
Joining Ballard Spahr with Jill is Samantha R. Steketee, a senior land use planner. She assists Jill in her practice, including by obtaining permits and navigating the land use approval process. Jill and Samantha joined Ballard Spahr from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP.
“To complement my practice and provide full service to my clients, I sought colleagues skilled in real estate transactions, public finance, public/private partnerships and infrastructure, gaming, condominium development, mortgage REITs, and energy matters. I found that strength at Ballard Spahr,” Jill said. “The firm prioritizes superb client service and giving back to the communities where its lawyers and business professionals live and work. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to join its ranks.”
Ballard Spahr is a recognized leader in real estate and serves clients in every segment of the industry. With across-the-board strength, regional market knowledge, and a strong national platform, its lawyers assist clients from zoning and land use through acquisition, development, lease-up and beyond. Real Estate was among the firm’s 11 national leading practices ranked by Chambers USA in 2024, and the real estate team is regularly cited for excellence by The Legal 500 and Best Law Firms.
On January 1, 2025, Ballard Spahr combined with Lane Powell, bringing more than 150 new attorneys to the firm as well as offices in Anchorage, Portland, and Seattle.
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