Sullivan
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Biography

Ashley leads Sullivan's Real Estate Group and is a former member of the firm's Management Committee.

Ashley’s practice focuses on all aspects of real estate development, including commercial development, complex debt and equity structures, ground leases, loan workouts and restructures, acquisitions/dispositions, and leasing transactions. Ashley represents a broad spectrum of clients, from international to family office developers, institutional investors to public and private companies, and government agencies across various asset classes throughout the United States. Ashley's experience includes negotiating and documenting complex loan facilities (senior and mezzanine), construction loans, common/preferred equity and co-GP ventures, fund formation, portfolio acquisitions and sales, ground leases, sale-leasebacks, workouts and foreclosures. Ashley has established herself as a go-to person with public/private partnerships in connection with real estate development across the United States.

Education
  • Northeastern University School of Law (J.D.)
  • Colby College (B.A.)
Bar & Court Admissions
  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Professional Qualifications
  • Real Estate Lender's Association (RELA)
  • Trustee, Lawrence Model Lodging House Trust
  • American Bar Association
  • Boston Bar Association
  • NAIOP Massachusetts Commercial Real Estate Development Association
  • Former Co-Chair, Real Estate Finance Committee, Boston Bar Association
Awards & Honors
  • Connect CRE, Lawyers in Real Estate Awards, Boston & New England (2024)
  • "Go To Lawyer," Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2023)
  • Chambers USA, Recognized Practitioner in Real Estate, Massachusetts (2022-2026)
  • Boston Magazine Top Lawyers, Commercial Real Estate (2021-2025)
  • Best Lawyers in America® (2020-2027)
  • Boston Real Estate Times Excellence Award: Real Estate (2019)
  • "Top Women of Law," Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2018)
  • Recommended by The Legal 500 U.S. (2016-2026)
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellows Program (2016)
  • "Rising Star," Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2009)
Community Engagement
  • CREW Network
  • Women's Leadership Program, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
  • Former co-chair, Heading Home Outreach Council
Languages
  • French
Viewpoints
All Viewpoints
Zoning and Development Newsletter
Sullivan's Permitting & Land Use Practice Group and Litigation Department have released the next issue of their Zoning and Development Newsletter. The publication aims to provide our firm's clients and others interested in land use and permitting issues with an update on notable developments in the law that might be relevant to their projects. This edition summarizes the following: A Superior Court decision entering summary judgment in favor of our client and against plaintiffs’ challenge to the adoption of a PDA zoning amendment in Boston; Three Land Court decisions construing protections afforded by the Dover Amendment (namely, protections for solar energy, educational, and childcare facilities); An Appeals Court decision construing the Mechanic’s Lien Statute to prohibit courts from deducting costs attributable to the non-use of equipment from mechanic’s liens; An Appeals Court decision underscoring that courts may reach different findings from special permit granting authorities, even where the evidence presented in both proceedings is the same; A Land Court decision ruling that a special permit for a multi-family housing project required a supermajority (rather than bare majority) vote of the special permit granting authority because the project did not provide affordable housing on-site; An Appeals Court decision underscoring the bright line rule against overloading easements; and Two decisions construing and applying the Derelict Fee Statute.
Zoning and Development Newsletter
Sullivan's Permitting & Land Use Practice Group and Litigation Department have released the second issue of their Zoning and Development Newsletter. The publication aims to provide our firm's clients and others interested in land use and permitting issues with an update on notable developments in the law that might be relevant to their projects. This issue summarizes a wide range of recent cases, including two U.S. Supreme Court decisions (one involving tax takings, the other limiting federal wetlands jurisdiction); a State Attorney General decision, Land Court decision, and administrative decisions concerning battery energy storage systems; and state court decisions involving the interpretation of easements taken by eminent domain, the Dover Amendment, conditional use permits, site plan approval, and the Anti-SLAPP statute. To view the newsletter, please click here.
44 Sullivan & Worcester Lawyers Selected as “Best Lawyers” Award Recipients
Boston, MA – Sullivan & Worcester today announced that 44 lawyers were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers in America®. 40 of the firm’s lawyers in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. were selected as “Best Lawyers in America®,” and four Sullivan lawyers were recognized as “Ones to Watch” in the U.S. Best Lawyers in America® The firm’s 2027 Best Lawyers in Boston include Victor Baltera (Environmental Law, Real Estate Law); Howard Berkenblit (Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law); Harvey Bines (Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law); Ashley Brooks (Real Estate Law); Joel Carpenter (Tax Law); Henry Comstock, Jr. (Trusts and Estates); Christopher Curtis (Tax Law); Patrick Dinardo (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy); John Graham (Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law); David Guadagnoli (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law); Warren Heilbronner (Real Estate Law); Zachary Hyde (Patent Law); Richard Jones (Tax Law); Karen Kepler (Real Estate Law); Caroline Kupiec (Tax Law); Thomas Meyers (Patent Law); Lisa Mingolla (Trusts and Estates); Louis Monti (Real Estate Law); Cornelius Murray III (Trusts and Estates); David Nagle (Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law); Ameek Ashok Ponda (Tax Law); Gregory Sampson (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law); Lewis Segall (Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law); Amy Sheridan (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law); Laura Steinberg (Commercial Litigation); John Steiner (Real Estate Law); Douglas Stransky (Tax Law); Sarah Wellings (Tax Law); and Amy Zuccarello (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy). Sullivan’s 2027 Best Lawyers in Washington, D.C. include John Chilton (Mutual Funds Law); Cameron Cosby (Tax Law); Nicole Crum (Mutual Funds Law); David Leahy (Mutual Funds Law); David Mahaffey (Mutual Funds Law, Securities Regulation); and Stephanie Monaco (Corporate Law, Mutual Funds Law, Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law, Securities Regulation). The firm’s 2027 Best Lawyers in New York include Carole Bass (Trusts and Estates); J. Truman Bidwell, Jr. (Corporate Law); Domenick Pugliese (Mutual Funds Law); Constantine Ralli (Trusts and Estates); and Marc Stern (Trusts and Estates). Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Awardees Best Lawyers awards this recognition to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Sullivan’s lawyers earning this award include Alexander Gansebom (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law); Emily Goldschmidt (Corporate Law); Ryan Rosenblatt (Commercial Litigation); and Ashley Tan (Real Estate Law). Best Lawyers Selection Methodology Recognition by Best Lawyers in America® is based on a peer review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical and legal practice areas. About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a premier, AmLaw 200 international law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best-in-class client service.
Sullivan Represents Fattal Hotel Group in Acquisition of The Blakely Hotel in Midtown Manhattan
Sullivan & Worcester represented Fattal Hotel Group, owner and operator of 329 hotels across 22 countries and based in Tel Aviv, in its acquisition and financing of The Blakely Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The acquisition marks the client's first hotel investment in the United States and is a milestone in its evolution from a leading European hospitality operator into a global hotel group. The acquisition was completed on July 7, 2026. The Sullivan team included Ashley Brooks, Tamir Chagal, Oded Har-Even, Gerry Silver, John Steiner, Nancy Gillman and Ashley Tan. Read more about the transaction here.  

Ashley H. Brooks

Ashley leads Sullivan's Real Estate Group and is a former member of the firm's Management Committee.

Ashley’s practice focuses on all aspects of real estate development, including commercial development, complex debt and equity structures, ground leases, loan workouts and restructures, acquisitions/dispositions, and leasing transactions. Ashley represents a broad spectrum of clients, from international to family office developers, institutional investors to public and private companies, and government agencies across various asset classes throughout the United States. Ashley's experience includes negotiating and documenting complex loan facilities (senior and mezzanine), construction loans, common/preferred equity and co-GP ventures, fund formation, portfolio acquisitions and sales, ground leases, sale-leasebacks, workouts and foreclosures. Ashley has established herself as a go-to person with public/private partnerships in connection with real estate development across the United States.

Viewpoints
All Viewpoints
Zoning and Development Newsletter
Sullivan's Permitting & Land Use Practice Group and Litigation Department have released the next issue of their Zoning and Development Newsletter. The publication aims to provide our firm's clients and others interested in land use and permitting issues with an update on notable developments in the law that might be relevant to their projects. This edition summarizes the following: A Superior Court decision entering summary judgment in favor of our client and against plaintiffs’ challenge to the adoption of a PDA zoning amendment in Boston; Three Land Court decisions construing protections afforded by the Dover Amendment (namely, protections for solar energy, educational, and childcare facilities); An Appeals Court decision construing the Mechanic’s Lien Statute to prohibit courts from deducting costs attributable to the non-use of equipment from mechanic’s liens; An Appeals Court decision underscoring that courts may reach different findings from special permit granting authorities, even where the evidence presented in both proceedings is the same; A Land Court decision ruling that a special permit for a multi-family housing project required a supermajority (rather than bare majority) vote of the special permit granting authority because the project did not provide affordable housing on-site; An Appeals Court decision underscoring the bright line rule against overloading easements; and Two decisions construing and applying the Derelict Fee Statute.
Zoning and Development Newsletter
Sullivan's Permitting & Land Use Practice Group and Litigation Department have released the second issue of their Zoning and Development Newsletter. The publication aims to provide our firm's clients and others interested in land use and permitting issues with an update on notable developments in the law that might be relevant to their projects. This issue summarizes a wide range of recent cases, including two U.S. Supreme Court decisions (one involving tax takings, the other limiting federal wetlands jurisdiction); a State Attorney General decision, Land Court decision, and administrative decisions concerning battery energy storage systems; and state court decisions involving the interpretation of easements taken by eminent domain, the Dover Amendment, conditional use permits, site plan approval, and the Anti-SLAPP statute. To view the newsletter, please click here.
44 Sullivan & Worcester Lawyers Selected as “Best Lawyers” Award Recipients
Boston, MA – Sullivan & Worcester today announced that 44 lawyers were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers in America®. 40 of the firm’s lawyers in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. were selected as “Best Lawyers in America®,” and four Sullivan lawyers were recognized as “Ones to Watch” in the U.S. Best Lawyers in America® The firm’s 2027 Best Lawyers in Boston include Victor Baltera (Environmental Law, Real Estate Law); Howard Berkenblit (Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law); Harvey Bines (Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law); Ashley Brooks (Real Estate Law); Joel Carpenter (Tax Law); Henry Comstock, Jr. (Trusts and Estates); Christopher Curtis (Tax Law); Patrick Dinardo (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy); John Graham (Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law); David Guadagnoli (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law); Warren Heilbronner (Real Estate Law); Zachary Hyde (Patent Law); Richard Jones (Tax Law); Karen Kepler (Real Estate Law); Caroline Kupiec (Tax Law); Thomas Meyers (Patent Law); Lisa Mingolla (Trusts and Estates); Louis Monti (Real Estate Law); Cornelius Murray III (Trusts and Estates); David Nagle (Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law); Ameek Ashok Ponda (Tax Law); Gregory Sampson (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law); Lewis Segall (Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law); Amy Sheridan (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law); Laura Steinberg (Commercial Litigation); John Steiner (Real Estate Law); Douglas Stransky (Tax Law); Sarah Wellings (Tax Law); and Amy Zuccarello (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy). Sullivan’s 2027 Best Lawyers in Washington, D.C. include John Chilton (Mutual Funds Law); Cameron Cosby (Tax Law); Nicole Crum (Mutual Funds Law); David Leahy (Mutual Funds Law); David Mahaffey (Mutual Funds Law, Securities Regulation); and Stephanie Monaco (Corporate Law, Mutual Funds Law, Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law, Securities Regulation). The firm’s 2027 Best Lawyers in New York include Carole Bass (Trusts and Estates); J. Truman Bidwell, Jr. (Corporate Law); Domenick Pugliese (Mutual Funds Law); Constantine Ralli (Trusts and Estates); and Marc Stern (Trusts and Estates). Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Awardees Best Lawyers awards this recognition to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Sullivan’s lawyers earning this award include Alexander Gansebom (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law); Emily Goldschmidt (Corporate Law); Ryan Rosenblatt (Commercial Litigation); and Ashley Tan (Real Estate Law). Best Lawyers Selection Methodology Recognition by Best Lawyers in America® is based on a peer review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical and legal practice areas. About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a premier, AmLaw 200 international law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best-in-class client service.
Sullivan Represents Fattal Hotel Group in Acquisition of The Blakely Hotel in Midtown Manhattan
Sullivan & Worcester represented Fattal Hotel Group, owner and operator of 329 hotels across 22 countries and based in Tel Aviv, in its acquisition and financing of The Blakely Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The acquisition marks the client's first hotel investment in the United States and is a milestone in its evolution from a leading European hospitality operator into a global hotel group. The acquisition was completed on July 7, 2026. The Sullivan team included Ashley Brooks, Tamir Chagal, Oded Har-Even, Gerry Silver, John Steiner, Nancy Gillman and Ashley Tan. Read more about the transaction here.  

Ashley H. Brooks