Thomas G. Bennett

Thomas G. Bennett concentrates his practice in the development of commercial and resort properties, with an emphasis on property acquisition, community structuring, financing, zoning and entitlements, construction, state and federal regulatory compliance, and development of planned communities, condominiums, timeshares, private residence clubs, golf courses, and condominium hotels.

Before attending law school, Tom worked as a certified public accountant with the Los Angeles office of a "Big Six" accounting firm. From 1995 to 1998, Tom took a break from private law practice to participate as a partner in the development of several resort condominium and multifamily residential projects. He joined Ballard Spahr in 1998.

Representative Matters

• Represents the principal vertical developer of Empire Pass, a master-planned residential community in Deer Valley, Utah, which will include over 400,000 square feet of residential construction and amenities
• Represents the developer of Glenwild, a high-end residential community in Summit County, Utah, that includes the Glenwild Country Club & Spa, with a private Tom Fazio-designed golf course rated by Golf Digest as the best golf course in the State of Utah
• Serves as Utah counsel to developer of St. Regis Resort and Residences Deer Crest, a luxury condominium hotel in Deer Valley, Utah
• Represents the developer of Miners Club, a timeshare project at The Canyons ski resort in Summit County, Utah, that is part of the Raintree Vacation Club; financing of the acquisition included 10 separate loan transactions, including a credit facility secured by the pledge of timeshare consumer receivables originating in the U.S., Mexico and Canada
• Registers timeshare products and subdivisions with state and federal regulatory agencies for sales in all western states and several eastern states
• Represents the developer of a new resort community in Wasatch County, Utah, including the negotiation and drafting of a significant amendment to the County Land Management Code, which provided for a Resort Specially Planned Area that allowed the developer to substantially increase the development density of its property to accommodate a new resort village with hotels and condominiums, and commercial and retail uses, with a direct connection to Deer Valley Resort
• Serves as special timeshare counsel for a variety of residential Private Residence Club programs offering luxury vacation accommodations throughout the United States

Professional Activities

American Resort Development Association (ARDA)
Member, State Legislative Committee

Editorial Board of the Timeshare Law Compendium, being prepared as a joint effort between ARDA and the American Bar Association

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Legal 500 US, Real Estate and Construction - Land Use/Zoning, 2019-2020

Chambers USA, real estate law (Utah), 2003-2020 (highest tier 2017)

The Best Lawyers in America, real estate law, 2008-2021; "Lawyer of the Year," real estate law (Salt Lake City), 2021

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1981)

Brigham Young University (B.S. 1976)

Utah