Jon M. Laria

Jon M. Laria represents owners, developers, and lenders in all types of commercial real estate transactions, including development, finance, acquisition, and leasing. He also has an active land use and zoning practice and has provided counsel for some of Baltimore's most prominent development projects. Before joining Ballard Spahr, Mr. Laria was employed by a major Baltimore-based developer, where he engaged in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Laria is Managing Partner of the firm's Baltimore office.

In September 2010, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley appointed Mr. Laria as Chair of the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission, the successor organization to the State's Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development, which Mr. Laria chaired since 2007. Created and enacted by the Maryland General Assembly, the Commission is charged with assessing and advising on the progress of state, regional, and local planning in achieving Maryland's economic growth, resource protection, and planning policy. In addition, Mr. Laria served as Vice Chair of the Maryland Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal, authorized by Governor O'Malley in April 2011, which recommended significant changes to the use of septic systems throughout the state that were enacted by the legislature.

Mr. Laria also co-chaired Governor O'Malley's Housing and Community Development Transition Team and served on his Transition Steering Committee. He served as a Mayoral appointee on Baltimore's Blue Ribbon Committee on Taxes and Fees, and he serves as an officer or member of many other civic boards and organizations, including the Urban Land Institute's Baltimore District Council. He is a founder of the Baltimore Development Workgroup, an affinity group of development professionals who work on real estate development issues in the City of Baltimore.

Pro Bono Experience

As part of Ballard Spahr's pro bono program, Mr. Laria served as counsel to the Baltimore City Task Force on Homelessness and has numerous other pro bono commitments, including representing Star-Spangled 200, Inc., the nonprofit organization responsible for supporting Maryland's celebration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Judicial Clerkships

Hon. Howard S. Chasanow, Maryland Court of Appeals, 1992-1993

Professional Activities

American Bar Association

District of Columbia Bar Association

Maryland Bar Association

Bar Association of Baltimore City

Johns Hopkins University, past faculty member, Master's in Real Estate program

Maryland's continuing legal education program, past instructor, "Advanced Real Estate Transactions"

Transition Team for Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler

Recognition & Accomplishments

Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, real estate: land use law, 2006-2013

The Best Lawyers in America, real estate law, land use and zoning law, 2007-2013

Named Best Lawyers' 2012 Baltimore Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year

Recipient of The Daily Record's 2011 Leadership in Law award, recognizing members of the legal community who have devoted time and energy to bettering the profession and their communities, and have played an important role in mentoring future professional and community leaders

Named one of 2009's "Smart Lawyers" by SmartCEO magazine, an honor based on leadership, exemplary professional success and engagement, and community involvement

Selected for Baltimore's "40 Under 40," Baltimore Business Journal

Speaking Engagements

Participant in numerous panels and programs related to real estate law, land use and development, and the real estate industry in general

Community Activities

Baltimore City Historical Society

Beth Am Synagogue

Friends of Olmstead Parks

Greater Baltimore Committee's Leadership program, past participant

Maryland Historical Society

Board Memberships

Baltimore Jewish Council, past President

Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC)

Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc., Vice Chair

Johns Hopkins University, past Trustee

Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, Baltimore, past President

Live Baltimore, past President

Public Policy Advisory Board of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, member and past Chair

ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, Regional Investment Committee, past Chair

University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. 1992, with honors)
Articles Editor, Maryland Law Review

Johns Hopkins University (B.A. 1985)

District of Columbia

Maryland