Profile
Samantha Ahuja, Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig's Hospitality Practice, focuses her practice on hotel acquisitions, operations, development and finance, hotel management agreements, licensing agreements, and commercial real estate acquisition and sale.
She advises domestic and international clients on the acquisition and disposition of hotels and other commercial property, hotel management and operations, franchising, licensing and branding, restaurant management agreements, lease negotiations, and casino agreements. She regularly prepares and negotiates purchase and sale agreements, financing and development agreements, and other documents related to the acquisition, financing, development, leasing, management, and disposition of real and personal property with a focus on hotels and resorts.
Samantha regularly works on complex transactions involving a combination of hotels, resorts, condominiums, food and beverage facilities, and other shared access amenities. She also advises her clients on traditional and investor financing, joint ventures and capital and legal structures for complex transactions. She works regularly with her clients on piecing together the various aspects of a deal while taking into balancing the business and legal objectives of the client.
Samantha works closely with her clients to address operational issues that arise over the course of ownership. Most recently, she counsels clients on a wide range of blockchain related matters, from anti-money laundering and know-your-customer best practices for cryptocurrency transactions to legal issues associated with novel uses of blockchain within the hospitality industry.
Samantha also serves as pro bono counsel to many affordable housing cooperatives and tenant associations with the District of Columbia. She works with her clients to find alternative financing, investors or other government grants to maintain long-term housing affordability.
Concentrations
- Hospitality and resorts
- Hotel management and operations
- Hotel and commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and financing
- Real estate operations
- Startup companies
- Blockchain
Capabilities
Experience
- Served as primary legal counsel for 1415 Girard Street Cooperative which was recognized under the Community Impact category of Washington Business Journal's Best Real Estate Deals of 2012 and best small affordable housing project by the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers’ (HAND).
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, Leisure & Hospitality, 2022-2023
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2023-2024
- Team Member, Chambers & Partners USA Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, 2010, 2013, 2022
- Team Member, a Law360 “Hospitality Practice Group of the Year,” 2021
- Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, "Law Firm of the Year" in Real Estate Law, 2015
- Listed, Law360, "Rising Stars," Hospitality, 2014-2015
- Team Member, Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2011-2013, 2015, and 2022
- Listed, Washington Business Journal, Greater Washington Legal Champions "Rising Star," 2014
- Team Member, The Legal 500 United States, "Top Tier" Firm in Real Estate, 2013-2014
- Member, Board of Directors, Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO), 2023-2027
- Member, Virginia Bar Association
- Vice Chair, Pro Bono Commission, 2005-Present
- Co-Chair, Minority Prelaw Conference Program, 2005-2011
- Member, Law360 Editorial Advisory Board, Hospitality, 2022-2023
- Member, The Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association, Board of Advisers and Committees
- Adjunct Professor and Board Member, Valparaiso School of Law Alumni Board
- Volunteer teacher, Junior Achievement, 2002-Present
- Pro Bono Legal Counsel, India Development Service (a nonprofit organization)
- Volunteer, Assist in Financial and Legal Matters for Various Non-Profits in Ward 7 & 8, Washington, D.C.
Credentials
- J.D., cum laude, Valparaiso University School of Law
- B.S., American University
- District of Columbia
- Virginia