McGuireWoods partner Matthew Rash will join firm client Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) in March as senior vice president and general counsel. He will succeed the company’s longtime chief legal officer and executive vice president, David Buckley, who will retire April 15.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Apple Hospitality and Dave Buckley for many years as one of McGuireWoods’ valued clients,” Rash said, noting that Buckley worked at McGuireWoods before joining Apple Hospitality in 2005. “I am thankful for my time at the firm, and I look forward to continuing our relationship in my new role as Apple Hospitality’s general counsel.”
Rash joined McGuireWoods in 2005 and became partner in 2016. He represents REITs and other public companies in a range of corporate transactions and financings. He has advised clients in commercial real estate projects involving hotels and resorts, senior housing facilities and other projects. He is recognized among The Best Lawyers in America for real estate law.
“Matt is an outstanding lawyer and will serve Apple Hospitality well in this role,” McGuireWoods managing partner J. Tracy Walker IV said. “We are delighted that this opportunity has come his way.”
“Dave Buckley has contributed significantly to Apple Hospitality’s growth and success, and we wish him the best. We are very proud of Matt, and he is an excellent choice to succeed Dave,” said McGuireWoods partner Nancy Little, who has worked with the company for many years.
Apple Hospitality’s portfolio consists of 241 hotels with more than 30,800 guest rooms located in 88 markets throughout 34 states. The company’s portfolio comprises 114 Marriott-branded hotels, 126 Hilton-branded hotels and one Hyatt-branded hotel.
With combined experience in securities, real estate and tax, McGuireWoods advises public and private REITs throughout their life cycle, from formation, to regular counsel of existing REITs, to final divestiture. The firm also represents REITs in the acquisition, financing and disposition of their real estate assets.
McGuireWoods ranks among the top law firms for M&A, private equity, capital markets and syndicated debt financings in highly respected year-end league tables published by Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters. Recognized in U.S. News-Best Lawyers’ 2019 edition of “Best Law Firms” as a National Tier 1 firm for real estate law, McGuireWoods advises real estate owners and operators, U.S. and international investors, and private equity funds in private REIT transactions.