Overview

Allison McCarthy is a commercial real estate and hospitality lawyer based in Holland & Knight's Fort Lauderdale office. In addition to a national commercial real estate practice, Ms. McCarthy has advised owners, investors and hotel companies with respect to sophisticated hospitality transactions for nearly two decades. This focus includes hotel acquisitions and dispositions, hotel development and finance, mixed-use development projects, hotel management agreements, branded residential projects, restaurant and spa agreements, hotel joint venture agreements and general hotel operation matters throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. Through this experience, Ms. McCarthy has developed insight and an understanding of the legal intricacies that affect the hospitality industry.

Representative Experience

  • Served as counsel for several multinational hospitality companies with respect to their management agreements, acquisitions, dispositions and general operational matters
  • Served as counsel for the purchaser of a flagship luxury Manhattan hotel, including the negotiation of a hotel management agreement for the hotel to be branded and operated by a newly established luxury brand
  • Negotiated restaurant, spa, retail and talent management, consulting and license agreements for luxury resort and mixed-use projects, including new celebrity and lifestyle concepts
  • Led a team of attorneys and other professionals in the review of hundreds of management agreements for a multinational hotel brand company
  • Served as counsel for the seller of a South Florida luxury resort with a private club, golf, marina and beach components
  • Served as counsel for the developer of an upscale, mixed-use, island resort located in the Bahamas with private club, golf, marina and residential components
  • Served as counsel for the developer of a 2,000-plus-acre, mixed-use resort with spa, beach and residential components
  • Served as counsel for a newly formed hotel management company with respect to its management agreement negotiations and general operational matters
  • Served as counsel for the purchasers of luxury resorts located throughout the United States

  • Served as counsel for an asset manager in the sale of an office tower owned by a tenants-in-common (TIC) structure with more than two dozen direct and indirect owners
  • Served as counsel for the developer of a luxury, multifamily development; representation included advising on a joint venture arrangement with the land owner
  • Served as counsel for the seller of a former corporate headquarters, including assisting on structuring issues arising in connection with the subdivision of the office campus
  • Served as counsel for the purchaser/lessee in the sale, development and leaseback of a regional call center
  • Served as counsel for the purchaser in the forward acquisition of an industrial warehouse facility
  • Served as counsel for an institutional client in the acquisition and disposition of industrial, office retail and multifamily projects throughout the United States

Credentials

Education
  • Duke University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
  • University of Florida, B.S., Accounting, highest honors
  • University of Florida, M.Acc.
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • Florida
Memberships
  • Commercial Real Estate Women, Fort Lauderdale/Boca Raton Chapter, Programs Committee
Honors & Awards
  • Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers guide, Leisure & Hospitality (Up & Comer), 2020-2022; Leisure & Hospitality, 2023, 2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America guide, Real Estate Law, 2022-2025
  • Top Lawyer, South Florida Legal Guide, 2017-2021  
  • The Legal 500 USA, Real Estate & Construction: Real Estate, 2016
  • Top Dealmaker of the Year Finalist, Hotel, Daily Business Review, 2016
  • Guide to the World's Leading Lawyers, Legal Media Group's Expert Guides, Rising Star, 2015
  • South Florida Legal Guide, Up and Comer, 2015
  • Rising Star, Daily Business Review, 2014
  • 40 Under 40, South Florida Business Journal, 2014
  • Rising Star, Florida Super Lawyers magazine, 2013-2015
  • University of Florida's Outstanding Young Alumni Award, 2013

Publications

Speaking Engagements

News