Allison McCarthy

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

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