Mark DePillis

Mark S. DePillis

Partner
Philadelphia

Mark S. DePillis leads Ballard Spahr's Construction Team. He focuses on real estate development, secured lending, design and construction contracting, and retail and office leasing.

Mark advises developers of condominium and mixed-use projects through all phases of project development, including acquisitions, partnership agreements, financing, negotiation of design and construction contracts, and condominium formation and documentation. Mark represents banks, investment funds, and other commercial lenders in acquisition, construction, and mezzanine lending and New Markets Tax Credit transactions. He also represents national retailers and developers in retail development and leasing transactions. Mark negotiates design, construction, and design-build agreements on behalf of owners and developers of office, laboratory, industrial, and institutional projects.  

Mark is a LEED Accredited Professional as certified by the United States Green Building Council.

Experience 

Representative Matters

  • Represents Ivy League university in all aspects of design and construction procurement and structuring of insurance programs for massive campus expansion project
  • Represents developer of a 280-unit luxury, mixed-use condominium tower in Center City Philadelphia in condominium documentation, HUD registration, construction financing, design and construction contracts, and agreements with a national luxury hotel operator for condo management and hotel-type concierge services

Professional Highlights

Professional Activities

American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry

Philadelphia Bar Association, Real Estate Section, Executive Committee

International Council of Shopping Centers

General Building Contractors Association (the Philadelphia branch of the Associated General Contractors of America)

Recognition & Accomplishments

Chambers USA, real estate law, 2007-2017

The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law (Philadelphia), 2013-2025

The Legal 500 US, real estate and construction – construction (including construction litigation), 2011-2014

Speaking Engagements

Mark writes and lectures extensively on construction-related issues. Most recent engagements include:

Speaker, "Leveraging Energy and Infrastructure as a Strategic Asset in Higher Education," Ballard Spahr webinar, September 28, 2017 

"Demolition of Structures in Philadelphia: Recent Regulations and Practice Tips," Ballard Spahr breakfast briefing, Philadelphia, October 30, 2014

Faculty, "Development Agreements and Construction Contracts: The 'Me' in 'Team'," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Solving Legal Issues Across the Life Cycle of the Successful Real Estate Development Project, Philadelphia, April 28, 2014

Board Memberships & Community Service

Upper Merion Township (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania) Zoning Hearing Board, member

Upper Merion Township Economic and Community Development Committee, past member

Radnor Township (Delaware County, Pennsylvania) Planning Commission, past member

Widener Memorial Foundation in Aid of Handicapped Children, Trustee

Participant, "Principal for a Day" program of the Philadelphia School District (served as Principal for a Day at the Widener Memorial School in Philadelphia)

Publications

Co-author, Pennsylvania chapter of Lien Law On-Line, an online 50-state survey of mechanics lien law

Credentials 

Education

Boston College Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1990)

Tufts University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1987)

Admissions

Massachusetts

Pennsylvania