Sharon Shachar —a tax attorney who has guided clients across a mix of industries as both in-house and outside counsel—has joined Ballard Spahr as a partner in its New York office, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced.
“Client demand has fueled considerable growth in our real estate and transactional practices across the country, and Sharon will be an invaluable resource as we help clients navigate the tax implications at play,” said Ballard Spahr Real Estate Department Chair Amy M. McClain.
Ms. Shachar represents clients in the tax aspects of real estate transactions, including Qualified Opportunity Zone investments, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, tax-free reorganizations, leveraged buyouts, and debt financings. She advises on the formation of private equity funds, corporate entities, and partnerships. In addition, she has extensive experience advising domestic, international, and multinational clients on structuring and operational considerations relating to cross-border investments and business transactions.
“Sharon’s experience and perspective will provide an immediate benefit to clients across the firm, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to Ballard Spahr,” said Wendi L. Kotzen, Co-Leader of the firm’s Tax Group.
Prior to joining Ballard Spahr, Ms. Shachar was in-house counsel at a global Fortune 500 energy and automation digital solutions company, where she served as Director of Tax Planning and Transactions. Before that, she was a tax attorney at an international law firm and served as mergers and acquisitions counsel at a Big Four public accounting firm. She is joining the firm from Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg.
Ms. Shachar’s arrival represents the latest development in the strategic expansion of the firm’s transactional practices. The collective experience of Ballard Spahr’s tax attorneys spans business transactions and compliance, financial transactions and products, real estate and workouts, international tax matters and planning, tax credits, state and local taxes and controversies, tax-exempt organizations, IRS controversies, tax litigation, and other areas.
“Ballard is known for excellence in real estate, and the strategic expansion of its transactional practices presents an exciting opportunity to work alongside a fantastic and energetic team of very talented lawyers,” Ms. Shachar said. “It’s a busy time, and I’m eager to get started.”