Clients turn to Ellen Smith for help closing real estate transactions, navigating land use and zoning, and resolving disputes. Her clients include Fortune 500 corporations, commercial real estate developers, telecommunications companies, and residential care facilities. Ellen is also a leader within Parker Poe, serving as the firm’s Atlanta Office Development Partner.
Ellen has worked on every kind of transaction in the commercial real estate industry. She has helped developers, owners, and operators close a broad variety of multimillion-dollar loans, sales, and acquisitions. She also advises assisted care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and other health care providers on their real estate needs, including securing Section 232 Lean loans through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She has assisted clients in pursuing LEED certifications and other “green” development initiatives. She has also negotiated commercial, data center, medical, retail, and industrial leases, for both landlords and tenants.
Ellen has deep experience in land use and zoning. She has secured land use entitlements for projects across the Southeast, ranging from permits for large telecommunications companies to small family developers. As part of her land use and zoning practice, she has lobbied for clients at the local and state levels. She has also helped businesses secure state and local incentives.
Ellen began her career as a litigator nearly 20 years ago, and she continues to resolve disputes for clients in federal and state courts today. She has represented many of the key players in the wireless industry in litigation involving the federal Telecommunications Act, including bringing lawsuits after the denial of permits. She also has extensive trial experience with landlord/tenant issues, condemnation, and eminent domain.